Synopsys and SiMa.ai Partner to Accelerate Development of AI Chips for Cars
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Synopsys, a leading manufacturer of chip design software, and SiMa.ai, a startup specializing in energy-efficient AI hardware and software for automotive applications, have announced a partnership aimed at speeding up the development of new AI chips for automakers and their suppliers, reports Reuters.
The collaboration will leverage Synopsys' expertise in chip design software with SiMa.ai's innovative hardware and software solutions for diverse automotive AI functions. This partnership is particularly relevant for electric vehicles, where chips must operate efficiently to minimize battery power consumption.
SiMa.ai is focused on developing systems that handle various AI-based functions in cars, including computer vision technology for driver-assistance systems and voice assistants for driver interaction. While these tasks fall under the broader category of AI, the hardware and software requirements differ significantly.
The partnership will allow Synopsys users to access SiMa.ai's intellectual property and utilize Synopsys' tools for simulating chip-software interaction. This will enable automakers and their suppliers to select the optimal combination of hardware and software for specific automotive AI applications.
"The software world is changing so much for them," said Ravi Subramanian, head of Synopsys' product management and markets group, to Reuters. "They really need to master their compute destiny."
Krishna Rangasayee, founder and CEO of SiMa.ai, emphasized the growing importance of AI in cars, stating that technologies like voice assistants are expected to be fully integrated within the next three years. However, he noted that current AI solutions often rely on power-intensive chips in data centers, requiring significant adaptation for automotive applications.
"What we have built is really a very energy efficient AI solution that fits in the power envelope and the performance envelope of what our customers want," Rangasayee said.
Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.