DENSO CORPORATION, a prominent global supplier in the automotive technology sector, and Quadric.inc, a company known for its advanced neural processing technologies, have entered into a significant partnership aimed at advancing the capabilities of semiconductor technology within vehicles. On [exact date not provided], both companies signed a development license agreement focused on the creation of a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), a semiconductor device that specialises in executing AI-related computing tasks. This collaboration will see DENSO acquiring the IP core license for Quadric’s Chimera General Purpose Neural Processing Unit (GPNPU) and collaborating with Quadric to develop in-vehicle semiconductor intellectual property.
The agreement reflects a strategic move to enhance the processing power and efficiency of in-vehicle System-on-Chips (SoC), which are critical for implementing cutting-edge automotive technologies. As vehicles become more intelligent, the need to process extensive data from on-board sensors, vehicle-to-vehicle, and cloud communications in real-time becomes essential. This is particularly relevant for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving technologies that require rapid and reliable data processing.
The collaboration involves integrating DENSO's existing RISC-V-based processor, which complies with the ISO26262 ASIL D safety standards and is designed for automotive use, with Quadric’s Chimera GPNPU. This integration is expected to provide a robust platform capable of supporting diverse artificial intelligence functions within vehicles.
Quadric’s Chimera GPNPU architecture is particularly noteworthy for its ability to handle a variety of computational tasks within a single execution pipeline. This includes matrix and vector operations needed for AI processing, alongside scalar control operations. This flexibility is key in allowing automotive developers to integrate specialised AI features into vehicles that can adapt to future technological advances.
The partnership has broader implications for the automotive industry as it seeks to adapt to rapidly evolving AI trends. By developing new semiconductor technology that can be updated throughout a vehicle's lifecycle, DENSO and Quadric are aiming to provide a technological foundation that supports both current and future mobility needs. This initiative is part of a broader mission to create highly secure automotive systems capable of supporting the development of AD/ADAS products over the long term.
Hiroshi Kondo, Head of the Mobility Electronics Business Group at DENSO, underscored the importance of semiconductors in advancing vehicle intelligence. He highlighted the expectation that this new semiconductor IP would efficiently respond to AI trends while maintaining low power consumption. Kondo also reiterated DENSO's commitment to addressing broader societal challenges such as carbon neutrality, circular economies, and traffic safety.
Veerbhan Kheterpal, CEO of Quadric.inc, expressed optimism regarding the collaboration. He remarked on the validation this partnership provides for Quadric’s maturing technology, as DENSO, a well-respected Tier 1 supplier in the automotive industry, chose them as their partner for developing ADAS/AD processor IP technology.
Overall, this partnership between DENSO and Quadric aims to push the boundaries of what is possible with AI in vehicles, promising advancements that could redefine the landscape of intelligent automotive technology.
Source: Noah Wire Services