VUEROID, a leading high-resolution dash cam technology brand, announced today that it will launch its latest model at CES 2025, the S1 Infinite dash cam, a high-resolution 4K automotive dash cam that captures reliable, high-quality evidence for accidents and other automotive incidents. The S1 Infinite goes to the core of what users need in a car's dash cam -- unparalleled video clarity to capture more data and AI technology to restore license plate information, setting a new standard for video clarity in dash cam technology. The S1 dash cam serves as a form of insurance, delivering reliable video recordings when they're needed most.VUEROID https://vueroid.com will be at CES 2025, held January 7-10, 2025 in Las Vegas, Booth #50017, Venetian Expo, Level 2, Hall A. Schedule VUEROID press/analyst meetings at: https://calendly.com/vueroid/vueroid-at-ces-2025. Patented Image Signal Processing (ISP) TechnologyVUEROID has extensive expertise in automotive camera video processing through its parent company NC&, South Korea's largest dash cam manufacturer, and developer of over 4,000,000 dash cams in the last 5 years. VUEROID offers automotive users superior clarity in all driving conditions with NC&'s proprietary patented ISP technology for crystal-clear video quality, focusing on the elements that matter most: lens, sensor, ISP, and SoC. For other companies, these components are usually limited by external suppliers, but because of VUEROID's proprietary ISP technology, adjustments can be fine-tuned to 18 different parameters, including brightness, sharpness, and noise reduction. An overlooked element when discussing image quality, a single parameter in ISP tuning can create up to 700,000 different image outcomes. This level of precision makes a significant difference in video quality, setting the S1 Infinite apart from the competition.The S1 Infinite is also equipped with custom-engineered hybrid lenses, the advanced 4K/QHD SONY STARVIS™ 2 sensor on the front camera, and the QHD STARVIS rear camera, allowing it to record crystal clear videos even in the most challenging lighting conditions, with GPS and 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi for fast file transfer. VUEROID has also implemented groundbreaking video tuning techniques, ensuring that the S1 Infinite offers the highest quality video on the market today. And thanks to cutting-edge lossless video transmission technology, the S1 Infinite maintains rear camera video clarity, eliminating any compromise in image quality.License Plate Restoration Using Deep Learning-Driven AI AlgorithmsOne of the key requirements during accidents is clear license plate restoration. VUEROID ensures sharp, reliable video for license plate identification. In challenging scenarios, the VUEROID Hub app utilizes AI-powered deep learning algorithms to restore unclear video with a few simple taps, giving users peace of mind when it matters most. To further enhance accuracy, VUEROID has amassed a dataset of around 150,000 images across various use cases, including front, rear, and side cameras.For parking surveillance, VUEROID extends recording time using its extreme low-power mode, preventing battery drain. It reacts swiftly to impact, ensuring less than 1-second recording activation after an incident. To further protect the car's battery, VUEROID automatically shuts off if the battery is low, preventing power depletion and ensuring the system doesn't compromise vehicle safety. These features, combined with VUEROID's Parking Mode monitoring function, provide vehicle owners with incomparable peace of mind.VUEROID S1-Infinite Features: *High-Quality Images: proprietary ISP Technology for unparalleled image quality.*AI Technology: automatic license plate capture mode and AI-based license plate restoration.*Premium night vision mode.*Parked Vehicle Recording: Impact, Motion, and Time Lapse.*Energy Saving Parking Mode: wakes up on impact, recording less than 1 second after detecting impact.*Vehicle Battery Protection: when the battery is low, automatically powers off to protect the battery.*VUEROID Hub app with privacy protection for Android/Apple: AI-based blur feature automatically locates and blurs other vehicles' license plates and pedestrians'/drivers' faces.*Easy File Transfer with Wi-Fi connectivity: directly connects to other devices for file transfer.*No conversion needed: Any video player can play MP4 files.*TFF (Three Free File System): crash-resistant, segmentation-free, and format-independent.*Compatible with portable batteries.VUEROID at CESVUEROID will be at CES 2025 from January 7-January 10, 2025, available for press/analyst meetings at the VUEROID/NC& Booth #50017, Venetian Expo, Level 2, Global Pavilion, Hall A.Schedule press/analyst meetings at CES 2025 at: https://calendly.com/vueroid/vueroid-at-ces-2025.Pricing & AvailabilityThe VUEROID S1 Infinite (4K Front+2K Rear, 2CH) will be available Q2 2025 with an MSRP of $349.99 (estimated street price $299.99), available at major retailers, such as Best Buy, automotive retail stores nationwide, and online through Amazon, eBay, and Walmart.com for customers in the US and Canada. The S1 Infinite is also available as a front cam model (1CH) and Front+Rear+Inside cam model (3CH). For more information, visit https://vueroid.com.

Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (Fraunhofer IIS), a leading developer of advanced audio technologies, including mp3 and AAC, will present at CES 2025.upHear Flexible Rendering, a ground-breaking audio technology that greatly simplifies high-quality immersive sound experiences on consumer audio reproduction devices, including loudspeakers, soundbars, and TVs. upHear Flexible Rendering enhances and distributes sound flexibly to all available speakers for a spectacular enveloping immersive audio effect at all times.upHear Flexible Rendering for Effortless Flexibility: Expand Setups from Stereo to Immersive upHear Flexible Rendering belongs to Fraunhofer's upHear range of audio processing technologies. They enhance the sound quality of content from voice signals to immersive audio masterpieces and provide pristine audio pickup as well as faithful reproduction from classic stereo setups to complex scenarios with multiple devices. The upHear Flexible Rendering technology automatically combines wireless speakers for the best possible experience, supporting new immersive audio formats as well as providing first-class upmixing for legacy content.With upHear Flexible Rendering, everything is adjustable: Adding or removing a speaker from the system is no trouble due to its automatic adaptation to the current playback situation. Its inherent flexibility provides the option for effortless system growth making it very budget-friendly. All systems upgraded with upHear Flexible Rendering achieve enhanced immersion for an extraordinary sound experience. "Currently, users can only connect to one smart speaker at a time or to a fixed setup per room. With the upHear technology, you now have the flexibility to conveniently combine any number of speakers into an immersive speaker cluster wherever you want. Party music in the kitchen? Transform your living room into a movie theatre? Operas in the bathroom? It is all possible without a fuss," said Sebastian Meyer, Product Manager upHear, Fraunhofer IIS.Fraunhofer Demos at CES 2025 – Fraunhofer Suite 1, Venetian Hotel, Suite #34-204 *Speaker Repositioning: Smart speakers will be distributed in the room playing immersive music. The upHear Flexible Rendering technology will make it possible to add/remove speakers and to reposition them. The upHear algorithm optimizes the sound image based on the current setup. Visitors will be able to try out repositioning for themselves. The wireless speaker setup also uses the Fraunhofer Communication Codec LC3plus for ultra-low-latency wireless audio transmission.*upHear Microphone Processing Technologies: Through live calls, Fraunhofer will show how they make life easier: An "office" in the suite will show advanced AI-based technologies such as Echo Control, Noise Reduction, and the latest feature: Voice Isolation, which is the highlight of the Microphone Processing area. Users can create a "fingerprint" of their voice in seconds, which makes it possible to remove all sounds but their voice from a call for a truly personalized live call experience for better conferencing.*Demo Audio Samples: Check out upHear demos at: https://comm-demos.iis.fraunhofer.de/upHear_20240808/index.html.*upHear Mobile Audio: Fraunhofer's virtualization platform opens the door to true spatial playback experiences on headphones. It works from a multitude of sources, from legacy stereo to current immersive formats. Thanks to the minimum resource requirements of the low-complexity rendering, it can run on DSPs for any audio device class, be it headphones, mobile devices, home audio systems, or even a low-power XR devices. upHear is available immediately. For more information, see: www.uphear.com, and https://www.audioblog.iis.fraunhofer.com/tag/uphear.Fraunhofer Audio Codecs to be presented at CES 2025 - Fraunhofer Suite 2, Venetian Hotel, Suite # 34-209:*xHE-AAC: The stereo codec for broadcast and streaming provides DASH/HLS streaming at 12-320+ kbit/s, a new anchor loudness feature, mandatory loudness and dynamic range control, improved speech quality, and stereo imaging. The technology is already used by Netflix, Facebook stories, and Instagram Reels. xHE-AAC is natively supported on the latest Amazon, Android, Microsoft, and Apple products and operating systems. More information: https://www.audioblog.iis.fraunhofer.com/tag/xhe-aac, website: https://www.iis.fraunhofer.de/en/ff/amm/broadcast-streaming/xheaac.html.*LC3plus Lossless: Video calls, music, and gaming are best enjoyed with wireless headphones and microphones that deliver perfect audio quality and long battery life. With LC3plus, sound reaches users in perfect quality and the new LC3plus Lossless switches seamlessly between lossless and lossy modes of operation. It works with all features of LC3plus, including low-delay and superior robustness thanks to Advanced Packet Loss Concealment. LC3plus is on the Japan Audio Society's list of codecs whose implementation opens the door for device manufacturers to use the prestigious High-Res Audio Wireless logo. Fraunhofer IIS will demonstrate integrations into the AKG N5 Hybrid Earbuds, a HyperX gaming headset, a Sony streaming microphone, and a headphone prototype by BEStechnic. More information at: https://www.iis.fraunhofer.de/en/ff/amm/communication/lc3.html, https://www.iis.fraunhofer.de/en/profil/jb/2023/lc3-lc3plus.html*MPEG-H Audio: Next Generation Audio system for streaming and broadcast applications with advanced personalization and accessibility options. Fraunhofer will showcase devices by globally leading CE manufacturers with MPEG-H Audio support, which is required for Brazil's upcoming broadcast standard DTV+. Here, the technology helps Globo, TV Cultura, and other major providers to deliver customizable immersive sound experiences with a high degree of accessibility. Viewers can choose between different languages and commentators or select a version with enhanced dialogue. More information: https://mpegh.com/, https://www.audioblog.iis.fraunhofer.com/tag/mpeg-h.Fraunhofer will be at CES 2025 from January 6-January 8, 2025 available for press/analyst meetings at the Fraunhofer suite in the Venetian Hotel, Suite #34-204 and Suite 34-209.SCHEDULE PRESS MEETINGS AT CES 2025 at: https://calendly.com/fraunhofer-ces2025/venetiansuite34-204Credit: Fraunhofer

Not only does generative AI spark revolutionary changes with applications growingly spanning across all industries, but it has also become the first solution that companies choose to build up their competitiveness.Startups that drive global business transformation are increasingly utilizing generative AI to develop new products or services as a way to grab the attention of angel investors and enterprise users. To allow more enterprises to see what Taiwan-based startups have accomplished with generative AI, DIGITIMES and Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA), a flagship startup program funded by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), held Enterprise Connect - Generative AI Startup Pitch Day on July 23, 2024, with technical support from Amazon Web Services (AWS).The event gathered promising startups to present their generative AI solutions and attracted a great number of corporate venture capital and new business development specialists who hoped to connect with the startups through the one-to-one matchmaking activity and thereby build a solid foundation for their companies' long-term development.According to Yi-Bin Chen, Director, Integrated Marketing Department, DIGITIMES, startups are playing a growingly important role in the global marketplace. Because of this, CES has an exhibition area specially designed for startups to demonstrate their promising potential. TTA led 96 startup teams to participate at CES 2024 and organized the TTA Taiwan Pavilion, where the teams showcased their innovations and successfully grabbed the attention of venture capitalists from all over the world.Today everyone is talking about AI. AWS is among the few cloud computing pioneers that are capable of providing total AI solutions. AWS has been supporting and helping startups achieve great achievements over the long run.Andrea Hsu, Director General, Department of Academia-Industry Collaboration and Science Park Affairs, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), noted that by establishing TTA in 2018, NSTC aims to bridge Taiwan-based startups with the international community to thereby drive innovations and developments across many industries. As of today, TTA works with close to ten accelerators to bring resources and technologies to support startups' early-stage development.More than 900 startup teams have flourished thanks to TTA. Today, AI has become the engine that drives digital transformation for global industries. At CES 2024, AWS invited the teams for a visit to the Amazon fulfillment center to witness how AI was used to process shipments. That was very inspiring to the teams that use generative AI to develop innovative services. It is hoped that bridging startups with enterprises will build positive momentum for Taiwan's industry upgrade.Chester Hsieh, Head of Taiwan Sales, Head of Strategic Programs, Hong Kong and Taiwan, AWS, commented that AWS has been working with startups for years. AWS is adopted by more than 80% of the unicorns in the world including Netflix, Airbnb, and Uber as well as Taiwan-based KKBOX and 91APP. Among those that endeavor in AI, 96% have chosen AWS. Since 2000, Amazon has been utilizing AI technologies.AWS offers a wide range of high-performing foundation models (FM) from leading AI companies for startups to choose from based on their products and services. AWS was pleased to support TTA and DIGITIMES in holding the event connecting startups with enterprises.Moreover, in recent years, Amazon has been actively utilizing generative AI to enable new services. For example, it is used to collect and sort customer comments at Amazon's online bookstore to help consumers make purchase decisions. Furthermore, generative AI is also used for Alexa, the voice assistant that many people are familiar with, and for shipment schedule prediction and package arrival notices for orders placed on Amazon Pharmacy. All of the aforementioned innovative services rely on the robust computing power and advanced machine learning technologies provided by AWS.Eye-catching generative AI solutions from startupsNine startup teams supported by TTA and AWS Joint Innovation Center (JIC) participated in Enterprise Connect - Generative AI Startup Pitch Day. Based on their products or services, they were divided into different categories including audio tech, RPA software, energy, no-code AI, cyber security, martech, and law tech.In the cyber security category, Cymetrics, a subsidiary of OneDegree Global, provides a complete range of cyber security assessment and inspection products and services. For example, its LLM-based cyber security inspection service helps users improve the visibility of vulnerabilities and manage risks with more agility and flexibility.Authme is an authentication solution built on AI and machine learning to enable security, convenience, and regulatory compliance for corporations. Authme has developed authentication, face recognition, and biometric liveness detection systems that safeguard against identity frauds and Deepfake attacks while reducing inspection costs and enhancing user experience.Amid the rising popularity of robotic process automation (RPA) software, IsCoolLab with years of experience in professional software development introduced Robotiive. The patented AI-enabled solution integrates and modularizes a variety of automation capabilities to allow users with no coding experience to easily automate their process in any use scenario.In support of energy efficiency initiatives, PurismEV developed a proprietary AI-based solution that increases EV range by 40% and extends battery life 2.3 times to address EV owners' range anxiety. The solution is being used in delivery trucks, ride-sharing electric motorcycles, off-road electric bikes, and race cars.With user experience being a top priority, DeepWave, in the audio tech category, is committed to AI-enabled voice recognition solution development and application. It provides customers with an all-in-one digital audio processing solution for voiceprint recognition, active noise reduction, noise cancellation, and voiceprint comparison.Its solution has been used in smart manufacturing, digital content processing, music entertainment, and education. In the law tech category, Legal Tech, founded by a group of lawyers, presented a one-stop contract lifecycle management solution, LegalSign.ai, based on generative AI. Encompassing contract lifecycle management, electronic signing, and AI legal assistant, the solution improves efficiency and minimizes risks for corporate legal teams, allowing them to deliver greater business value.To help circumvent the current AI talent shortage, many companies have developed no-code AI solutions to lower the barrier to AI adoption. Chimes AI introduced Tukey, a solution that allows factory workers to extract data and build AI models using the automatic model packaging function and connect with enterprise information services in a snap.Tricuss presented an enterprise-level LLM-based solution to improve efficiency for operations such as document integration, automated sorting, and data entry as well as knowledge management and consolidation. Featuring a simple user interface and guaranteed accuracy, the solution boosts productivity for all kinds of corporate functions.BigGo, a star that shines brilliantly in the martech sector, operates the biggest e-commerce product search and price comparison website in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It debuted two new AI tools in 2024. One is BIRSE, an image search engine that searches for products based on images. The other is the BigGo Description Generator, which generates accurate product descriptions using AI.The final section of the event was a one-to-one matchmaking activity aimed at connecting startups with prospective partners who can help them with fundraising, market expansion, and technology development. The activity marked a perfect ending to the Enterprise Connect - Generative AI Startup Pitch Day.DIGITIMES, TTA, and AWS representatives at Enterprise Connect - Generative AI Startup Pitch Day. Credit: DIGITIMES

Passive infrared (PIR) sensors have been around for years and are widely used in various devices including smart lamps, automotive radar, and monitoring systems.They are instrumental and indispensable to the modern world. However, their lower sensitivity and smaller range also limit the capability of the smart devices that use PIR sensors.Millimeter wave (mmWave) radar sensors that are widely used in smart cars are now getting increasingly adopted in smart devices including monitoring and smart cockpit systems after manufacturers started to provide non-automotive mmWave radar chips a few years ago at more economical pricing. Millilab, with a robust R&D capability and technological strength, wowed visitors at CES 2023. It has engaged in close partnerships with multiple international monitoring system suppliers. Having raised NT$50 million in March 2024, Millilab is poised to capture the immense opportunities in the global smart vehicle market.According to Millilab's founder and CEO - Bibben Lin, mmWaves are shorter in wavelengths. Sensors based on mmWave radar technology provide higher resolution and accuracy so they are embraced by smart cars with high safety standards.Infineon used to dominate the mmWave radar chip market, making them expensive and hardly used in monitoring systems sold at lower prices compared to smart cars. When Texas Instruments (TI) introduced low-cost mmWave radar chips, it spurred a rapid increase in mmWave radar sensor adoptions in non-automotive applications. Today, almost all mid-range and high-end monitoring systems priced at US$200 or higher use mmWave radar sensors.Recognized by Japan-based Socionext, Millilab targets the global market with technological strengthEyeing mmWave radar sensors' high accuracy and high-resolution characteristics and the opportunities arising from decreasing costs, Lin with abundant experience in developing communication devices decided to found Millilab with his business partners in 2019. Millilab's mmWave radar solutions are being used in monitoring systems for infants and seniors, child presence detection (CPD) systems, and driver monitoring systems (DMS).When the company was first founded, the Millilab team focused on developing algorithms based on TI mmWave radar sensors for a variety of applications. Millilab's robust R&D capability soon caught the attention of Socionext, a Japan-based mmWave radar chip supplier.Each boasting unique technologies in their own field, the two companies decided to join forces and have together developed total solutions and reference designs for a diversity of application scenarios that are embraced by customers across different sectors. Millilab has become one of the most trusted partners of Socionext and now independently develops algorithms based on Socionext chips. It is also the company that many global brands turn to for mmWave radar solutions.Lin noted that during the company's early development, the competition was fierce in the automotive mmWave radar sensor market. European and American brands dominated 80% to 90% of the market and the rest was divided between two China-based vendors.In comparison, at that time almost every monitoring system was based on the PIR technology. This presented tremendous opportunities for Millilab. Not only did Millilab become Socionext's partner for its R&D strength but it also secured a deal with Europe's largest car seat brand Maxi-Cosi to jointly develop a crib (baby) monitoring system. The result impressed Maxi-Cosi and more importantly, gave Millilab global visibility.Millilab and partners expand into the smart cockpit market with authorities mandating CPD starting 2025With the assistance from TTA and flyingVest Ventures, Millilab attended CES in 2023 and 2024 as well as London Tech Week in the U.K. and VivaTech in France. The participation at these events helped Millilab reach customers from different corners of the world.For example, a Europe-based automatic door manufacturer was impressed by Millilab's algorithm and therefore plans to collaborate with the company. Multiple Asia-based corporations have also engaged in partnerships with Millilab to provide mmWave radar solutions for their products targeting overseas markets. These projects significantly fueled Millilab's revenue growth.Going forward, Millilab will undertake a three-way strategy, said Lin. First, it will continue to attend tech exhibitions and work with TTA and flyingVest Ventures to increase its global visibility. Second, to win more customers across different sectors, Millilab plans to implement the algorithm developed for Socionext chips on TI chips, ensuring the same level of performance and reliability. Last, the EU mandating CPD starting in 2025 is set to spur the demand for CPD systems so Millilab will work with partners to capture preemptive opportunities in this market segment.On average, about 40 children die each year in Europe after being left alone in a car. To address this problem, Euro NCAP will award safety rating points for CPD in new passenger vehicle designs from 2025.In response, manufacturers are actively developing smart cockpit solutions. This presents a great opportunity for Millilab, boasting strong algorithm R&D capability, to penetrate the market segment. It plans to introduce a standard smart cockpit solution in April 2024 for automakers' PoC testing, followed by customized designs according to their requirements. Millilab expects this to contribute to strong revenue growth in the coming years.(Editor's note: The original article was published in TTA Magazine Issue 14. Read more startup stories in TTA Magazines.)Millilab founder and CEO Bibben LinPhoto: MillilabSchematic diagram of Millilab's CPD systemPhoto: Millilab

After announcing its foray into the LLM (Large Language Model) IP market, Skymizer recently unveiled a series of hardware and software solutions centered around LLM IP.These offerings are designed to bring more imagination to the LLM application service market. Skymizer's IP solution series is codenamed EdgeThought, with the first market-ready solution named ET2, capable of efficiently handling all current edge devices requiring LLM, including the recently released Llama3 with a parameter scale of up to 8 billion.Before introducing the IP solution, Skymizer's primary solutions were in the compiler space, bridging the gap between chips and software. This background has endowed the company with extensive experience in overall system hardware and software integration and optimization. As the demand for LLM rises, Skymizer, leveraging its solid market foundation, has entered the IP market to cater to diverse vertical application needs.Launch of integrated hardware-software platform: ET2 features edge computing, LLM, and AI inferenceAccording to Skymizer Executive Vice President William Wei, ET2 encompasses three key elements: edge computing, LLM, and AI inference. Besides accommodating various LLMs in the market, ET2 can flexibly expand computing resources to meet client needs.If the parameter scale of the LLM to be processed is too large, expansion can achieve the required computing power, naturally increasing memory capacity and power consumption. In addition to the existing IP solutions, Skymizer also launched the SkyGenie SDK (Software Development Kit).The SDK can address various categories of LLMs, including general, domain-specific, and private, assisting various industry applications. This enables software developers to create corresponding applications based on different LLM types, optimizing overall system performance. During COMPUTEX 2024, Skymizer will further demonstrate applications such as smart factories' Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), Drive-thru ordering smart assistants, and smart automotive scenarios using ET2 and other hardware-software solutions.Wei emphasized that Skymizer's comprehensive hardware-software system development experience allows the broad tech industry ecosystem to benefit from Skymizer's complete platform solutions. He revealed that while the market currently sees edge AI GPUs performing at about 20 tokens per second, Skymizer's ET2 tests show around 32 tokens per second, with implementation costs at just 1/100 of Edge AI GPUs. This high cost-performance ratio makes ET2 an ideal choice for cost-sensitive end applications.First Chip with ET2 solution to debut at CES 2025 In the semiconductor domain, Wei candidly shared that Skymizer is open-minded and actively collaborating with domestic and international design services and IP firms. He also revealed that ET2 is highly expandable, from small IoT MCUs to high-performance Edge Servers.When paired with higher bandwidth memory interfaces, it can function as a server-level inference engine for multi-user, multi-batch processing. The first chip adopting ET2 is expected to debut at CES 2025, positioning ET2 as a game-changer for edge device LLM inference.ConclusionSkymizer's launch of its first IP solution, ET2, marks a new milestone for the company. With rich hardware-software integration experience, Skymizer not only provides high-performance, cost-effective edge computing solutions but also equips developers with powerful tools through the SkyGenie SDK to meet diverse LLM application needs.These innovations enhance the performance of different vertical market applications and create new possibilities for smart factories, autonomous mobile robots, smart automotive, and more. Skymizer's comprehensive platform solutions are poised to be a significant driving force in the future LLM application market.Skymizer not only provides LLM silicon intellectual property solutions but also offers the SkyGenie SDK, supporting various types of LLMs. This makes it easier and faster for AI application developers to create applications, enabling hardware chip partners to achieve higher integration and better meet market demands

The applications of AI are becoming increasingly widespread in our daily lives. With the continuous iteration of generative AI and large language models, various innovative applications are emerging. These include, such as smart home appliances, autonomous vehicles, and robots to VR/AR applications.These edge devices are equipped with AI processors that compute on the device directly, further accelerating the launch of innovative Edge AI applications. However, these devices also face several challenges, including excessive GPU power consumption and high costs limiting the widespread adoption of Edge AI products.DEEPX won three CES Innovation Awards in 2024Photo: DEEPXDEEPX, an AI chip startup from Korea, won three CES Innovation Awards 2024 in January for its unique AI chip ultra-gap source technology. The awards were in the categories of Computer Hardware, Embedded Technology, and Robotics, and Computer Hardware & components.Their NPU processor boasts low power consumption and cost-effectiveness and addresses the issue of insufficient accuracy found in existing NPUs on the market. This technology was recognized by lots of semiconductor companies during CES 2024 and is scheduled for mass market release in late 2024.DEEPX CEO Lokwon KimPhoto: DEEPXLearn from ARM to build DEEPX into a leading On-device AI company"The main battlegrounds in the AI era will move to the 'edge'. Just as ARM dominated the CPU market with smartphones, the semiconductor company that dominates the edge will dominate the AI market," DEEPX CEO Lokwon Kim said.Kim, a former senior researcher in Apple's Application Processor (AP) design, returned to South Korea to establish DEEPX after gaining extensive experience in semiconductor design at renowned companies like Broadcom, Cisco, and IBM T.J Watson. His goal is to build DEEPX into a leading AI company in the era of on-device AI, reminiscent of how ARM revolutionized the CPU market with its low-power technology.On-device AI, which processes information within a mobile device without connecting to a server or cloud, is a burgeoning field. ARM broke Intel's dominance in the CPU market with its efficient, low-power processors, which are now prevalent in smartphones and expanding into PCs and servers. Kim aspires for DEEPX to have a similar impact on the AI semiconductor industry.Kim identified a weakness in Korea's semiconductor ecosystem, particularly in system semiconductors. Drawing inspiration from Morris Chang, the founder of TSMC, who returned to Taiwan to establish a leading foundry after learning from the American semiconductor giant TI, Kim saw an opportunity to address these gaps in the South Korean market.Chang predicted a demand-driven semiconductor market, leading to the creation of TSMC, which produces semiconductors on consignment. Similarly, Kim believes that the opening of the AI semiconductor market offers a chance for innovation and growth.Democratizing AI TechnologyKim opposes the monopolization of AI semiconductor technology through strategic investments (SIs) that often lead to mergers, acquisitions, or alliances, resulting in technology being controlled by a single entity. His experience at Apple motivated him to advocate for more democratic and accessible AI semiconductor technology. He believes that AI semiconductors should be universally available and not restricted to proprietary use, emphasizing the importance of technology that everyone can utilize.To pursue this vision, Kim established DEEPX in Pangyo, South Korea's hub for fabless companies. He aims to create an AI semiconductor company with a unique value, promoting innovation over exclusivity.DEEPX is positioned not as a competitor to global semiconductor giants but as a complementary force, enhancing the global semiconductor landscape by providing accessible and advanced AI technology.DEEPX aims to be the world leader in on-device AIPhoto: DEEPXAnalyzing the Difference Between NPUs and GPUs: DEEPX's Unique SolutionThe necessity for developing specialized AI semiconductors, such as NPUs, stems from the limitations of GPUs, which have traditionally been used for AI computations. GPUs, originally designed to process graphic data, excel at handling large amounts of data simultaneously, making them suitable for AI learning tasks.However, their high power consumption and operational costs present significant drawbacks. This makes them less ideal for "edge AI," which involves running AI applications directly on devices like controllers, robots, and self-driving cars - collectively referred to as the "edge."NPUs (Neural Processing Units) are modeled after the human brain, offering the benefits of lower power consumption and reduced production costs. However, existing NPUs have struggled with accuracy and support for the latest AI algorithms. DEEPX stands out among fabless companies by addressing the core challenges of AI semiconductors in one comprehensive solution.Unlike typical NPU vendors that release a single chip, DEEPX recognizes that different electronic devices require varying levels of semiconductor capabilities. For instance, AI for closed-circuit television (CCTV) primarily needs to analyze video, whereas AI for robots involves far more complex computations.To address this, DEEPX has developed from low-end to high-end performance four chips at once: one that can connect a single electronic device for AI computations, and another that can link three or four devices for broader AI tasks. This universality across devices is a key reason DEEPX received the Innovation Award at CES 2024.DEEPX's commitment to high performance at lower power and cost also earned them the Innovation Award. The company's latest AI algorithm, Yolo7, runs on their semiconductor DX-V1, produced using Samsung's 28nm process.This algorithm was previously incompatible with conventional NPUs. In addition, the DX-M1 chip boasts a design area one-third the size of other NPUs, and its manufacturing cost is similarly reduced by one-third. Combining low unit costs with high performance in a low-power NPU, DEEPX's products are poised to lead the AI semiconductor market.NPUs are categorized into data center-based NPUs, which handle large-scale inference, and edge-type NPUs, designed for use in electronic devices such as robots, smart cameras, smart factories, consumer electronics, etc. DEEPX targets both data center and edge NPU markets. DEEPX's NPUs overcome the common shortcomings of existing NPUs by providing high accuracy and efficiency.DEEPX's innovation lies in creating NPUs that are not only small and cost-effective but also achieve accuracy comparable to, or even better than, GPUs. This success is attributed to DEEPX's pioneering work in two core technologies: IQ8 (an INT8 model compression technology), and Smart Memory Access(minimizes D-RAM usage). DEEPX leads the market for low-power AI solutions, achieving the world's highest power-to-performance ratio through proprietary advancements in hardware and software optimization.Advancing Towards Mass ProductionDEEPX has successfully demonstrated its original technology with sample units and is in the final stages of preparing its mass-production chip. Scheduled for market release in late 2024, the widespread adoption of products featuring DEEPX's chips could establish the company as a technology leader in the on-device AI market by 2025.The essence of on-device AI lies in low power consumption and the seamless integration of hardware and software. Since AI must operate on small devices, minimizing power consumption is crucial while maximizing AI performance within limited computing power.Kim, drawing from his experience at Apple, emphasizes the importance of designing hardware and software with equal priority from the outset. Unlike Apple, which develops its own devices and services, DEEPX engaged with approximately 700 customers during product development to understand their needs and find the optimal development point. This customer-centric approach has been pivotal in refining DEEPX's products.Four companies from Israel and the U.S., including DEEPX, are vying for dominance in the emerging on-device AI market. As the market begins to flourish beyond the server market, this competition is crucial for setting future momentum.Kim is confident in DEEPX's strategy. He notes that while some competitors prioritize rapid product releases, DEEPX focuses on price and optimization first. Given the rapid evolution of AI application services, Kim believes it is more important to align with market trends and offer high-performance features at a competitive cost rather than rushing products to market.DEEPX's innovative approach to developing versatile, efficient, and cost-effective NPUs positions the company as a formidable contender in the on-device AI market. By prioritizing customer needs and maintaining a balanced focus on hardware and software optimization, DEEPX is set to lead the industry with cutting-edge AI semiconductor solutions.DEEPX CEO Lokwon KimPhoto: DEEPXDEEPX Company's Philosophy: Valuing Technology Over Short-term ResultsDEEPX is not focused on making AI semiconductors for autonomous cars or smartphones. Instead, DEEPX aims to advance the integration of AI into everyday life. The company's products are designed to bring AI to areas such as CCTV and robots, pushing these technologies beyond outdated algorithms. DEEPX's mission is to pioneer advancements that should have already been made in the AI semiconductor industry.At the entrance of DEEPX, there is a note to employees that emphasizes the value of technology over monetary gains. It quotes Carl Sagan's "pale blue dot," reflecting the idea that life should be lived with value rather than chasing money and power. The message encourages the 70 employees to love their work and find it meaningful, aligning with the company's ethos of creating technology for the greater good.DEEPX believes in 'technology that everyone shares.' From a management perspective, AI is seen as one of humanity's final inventions, marking the endpoint of human evolution. The goal is not to monopolize technology or chase profits but to lead the way in making AI accessible and beneficial for all. DEEPX's AI semiconductors are the cornerstone of this vision, enabling widespread adoption of AI.Future Plan: Global Expansion and InnovationDEEPX's visionary CEO, Kim, has outlined a strategic plan for the future:- Global Market Entry: Starting from the second half of this year, DEEPX plans to aggressively enter the global market with its first-generation product, consisting of four AI chips. This move is set to usher in the era of "AI Everywhere."- Technological Innovation: DEEPX aims to develop new technologies that enable super-scale AI services with power consumption of less than 5W. This innovation will make advanced AI technologies more accessible and practical for widespread use.- Leadership in AI: DEEPX is committed to becoming a leading comprehensive AI chip company globally. By focusing on power and cost efficiency, the company seeks to provide core technologies that transition giant AI advancements from the realm of science to everyday applications.DEEPX's mission is to integrate AI into everyday life, advancing technology in meaningful ways. By valuing innovation over profit and aiming for global leadership, DEEPX is set to play a pivotal role in the future of AI. The company's commitment to shared technology and global expansion highlights its dedication to making AI accessible and beneficial for humanity.Join DEEPX's Early Engagement Customer Program (EECP), and don't miss out on their innovative products designed to enhance your AI capabilities. Discover how over 100 global companies, including Hyundai Kia Motors Robotics Lab, POSCO DX, Supermicro, and Dell, leverage their hardware and software to power their next-generation AI products.For more information, you can follow DEEPX on social media or visit their official website.

SK Hynix held a press conference titled "Memory, the Power of AI" on the sidelines of CES 2024 in Las Vegas where its CEO Kwak Noh-Jung laid out the company's vision in the AI era.At the press conference, attended by both domestic and international media, Kwak said that the importance of memory will grow further as generative AI becomes widespread. He also said that "SK Hynix is providing products from the world's best technologies to the ICT industry, leading the "Memory-Centric AI Everywhere."Kwak laid out the company's plan to introduce the "Custom Memory Platform" to provide customized AI memory solutions as demands for diverse memory products are growing.Below are the key points mentioned during the press conference.The ICT industry evolved dramatically through the PC, mobile, and now cloud-based AI era. Throughout, data in diverse types and massive amounts are being generated and communicated.Now we enter a new era of AGI built on all that data amassed. The new era will thus move towards a market where AGI constantly generates data and repeats learning and evolution.In the AGI era, memory will play a pivotal role in processing data.The role of memory is even more crucial from a computing system perspective. Before, systems were basically an iteration of dataflows from the CPU to memory and then back to the CPU in a sequential manner, but such a structure is not suitable to handle the massive data generated through AI.Now, AI systems are connecting large counts of AI chips and memory in a parallel fashion to accelerate massive data processing. This means that AI system performance depends on stronger and faster memory.The direction for memory in the AI era should be handling data at the fastest speed, in the most effective way, and in higher volume. That aligns with the past century of memory development that has improved density, speed, and bandwidth.The memory-centric AGI era has a clear leader: SK Hynix. We are providing diverse products with ultra-high performance such as HBM3 and HBM3E, the world's best and widest sought-after products, to markets and industries, TSV DIMM, the industry's largest-capacity server memory, LPDDR5 Turbo, the world's fastest mobile memory, and DIMM, the best-in-class performance server.SK Hynix is leading the "Memory-Centric AI Everywhere" in various industries ranging from AGI, conventional data centers, mobile, and PC systems.Building on our lineup, we will deliver a bandwidth-focused HBM4 and HBM4E, a power-improved LPCAMM, a capacity-expanding CXL and QLC storage, as well as compute-capable PIM and hone our technological leadership in the AI era.SK Hynix's AI memory solutions are delivering customers a new experience.Yet, AI systems are advancing at a breathtaking pace, leading to customer demands for diverse forms of memory performance.While some customers require ever larger capacities or more power-efficient products, others want higher bandwidth and the addition of data computing capabilities.So, we are planning to launch SK Hynix's proprietary "Custom Memory Platform."We will bring to AI systems our memory-specialized technology and R&D expertise for optimal convergence with customers' needs.This platform will transcend conventional ways and deliver an entirely new value proposition, catering to every customer with the most optimal memory solution for their needs.SK Hynix is preparing over 4.15 million square meters of a new memory manufacturing base worth over 120 trillion won (92.7 billion USD) investment.This massive capacity will allow us to continue serving existing customers while responding to the explosive growth of AI memory demand with the world's best products delivered in time.Today, I took the opportunity to share SK Hynix's readiness for a total AI memory provider with a clear plan for technology, customers, and production base.Please join us in the new AGI future we shall open and expand with you.SK Hynix CEO Kwak Noh-Jung at the Press Conference