Intel has hired an executive from rival ARM to run its Internet of Things (IoT) Group.

Tom Lantzsch, a 10-year ARM veteran who's currently executive vice president of strategy, will join the company in January, Intel announced today.

It's not immediately clear what is happening to Ken Caviasca, who's been the vice president and general manager of the IoT Group. (UPDATE: Intel says Caviasca, who is vice president of engineering for the group, will remain in place, reporting to Lantzsch. The spot Lantzsch is taking was formerly held by Doug Davis; Intel announced today that Davis is now the general manager of the newly created Automated Driving Group (ADG).)

In a way, it's appropriate that the IoT Group would get linked to ARM. Intel rules the microprocessor world, in terms of market share, but certain sectors have eluded the company. Those include the embedded devices that ARM has excelled in, particularly smartphones.

But Intel has big ambitions in IoT. Exhibits at its annual Intel Developer Forum  now focus on makers, emphasizing Intel's potential in IoT and embedded computing.

IoT and the data center have become primary growth drivers for Intel as PC sales shrink. The renewed focus is resulting in layoffs of 12,000, announced in April.

Life for ARM is changing as well. The company got acquired by SoftBank in September for roughly $32 billion.

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