On January 10th, at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas, Intel announced several important plans, including the acquisition of automotive startup Silicon Mobility, the launch of a new AI enhanced software defined automotive system level chip, the launch of an open automotive chip platform, and cooperation with Geely in software defined cars, These plans represent Intel's accelerated layout of the connection between automobiles and artificial intelligence (AI).
Intel's new AI enhanced software defined automotive system level chip (SoC) will enable in car AI functionality, such as generative AI and camera based driver/passenger monitoring systems. Extreme Krypton will use Intel's new software to define the car's SoC, in order to achieve an enhanced generative AI mobile living room experience in the next generation of cars.
Silicon Mobility is a chip and software company that focuses on smart electric vehicle energy management SoC in fabless factories. Intel plans to acquire Silicon Mobility to enhance AI efficiency in energy management for electric vehicles using its advanced technology. The transaction is yet to be approved by regulatory authorities.
"Intel is adopting a 'whole vehicle' approach to address the biggest challenges facing the industry, leveraging AI solutions to drive innovation across the entire automotive platform and assist the industry in transitioning towards electric vehicles. The acquisition of Silicon Mobility not only aligns with our sustainable development goals, but also meets the industry's key energy management needs," said Jack West, Intel Academician, Vice President, and General Manager of the Automotive Division
In addition, Intel and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International) have announced the establishment of a new committee to provide automotive standards for vehicle platform power management (J3311). Intel will serve as the chairman of the committee. Intel stated that this move is aimed at promoting a smoother transition towards electric vehicles and sustainable software defined cars.
Intel also announced the launch of the industry's first open automotive chip platform, allowing customers to integrate their chips into Intel's automotive products. This allows car manufacturers to freely choose to integrate custom chips into Intel's roadmap products, at a cost far lower than fully customized SoCs. The ability to mix and match chips not only further reduces the risks caused by supplier restrictions, but also promotes the development of more scalable software defined architectures.