Intel ventures into Automotive AI with Silicon Mobility acquisition and new SoCs
At CES 2024, Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, announced a significant shift in its AI strategy, moving into the automotive market. This includes plans to acquire Silicon Mobility, a fabless silicon and software company specializing in SoCs for intelligent electric vehicle (EV) energy management.
Intel’s AI-Enhanced Vehicle SoCs
Intel introduced a new family of AI-enhanced software-defined vehicle system-on-chips (SoCs), marking a major step in the company’s automotive AI efforts. Zeekr, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), will be the first to adopt these new SoCs, leveraging them to provide generative AI-driven living room experiences in next-generation vehicles.
Solving Industry Challenges with a ‘Whole Vehicle’ Approach
Jack Weast, vice president and general manager of Intel Automotive, emphasized Intel’s ‘whole vehicle’ approach to addressing the industry’s transition to EVs. The acquisition of Silicon Mobility aligns with Intel’s sustainability goals and addresses a critical need for energy management in the automotive industry.
Intel dives into Automotive AI with acquisition of Silicon Mobility and new SoCs
Silicon Mobility’s Role in Intel’s Automotive Strategy
Silicon Mobility, backed by Cipio Partners and Capital-E, is known for its EV energy management SoCs. This technology is expected to extend Intel’s reach beyond high-performance compute into intelligent power devices, subject to necessary approvals.
Intel’s Open Platforms for a Software-Defined Vehicle Future
Intel’s commitment to delivering the first open Universal Chiplet Interconnect Express (UCIe)-based chiplet platform for software-defined vehicles (SDVs) is another highlight. Intel will collaborate with imec to ensure the packaging technologies meet the automotive industry’s stringent quality and reliability standards. Furthermore, Intel will chair a new international standard for EV power management.
Intel’s Vision for Future EVs
Intel’s SoCs are already in over 50 million vehicles, powering various systems. With its expanded AI-enhanced ‘whole vehicle’ roadmap, Intel is poised to move the industry towards a more scalable, software-defined, and sustainable future.
Zeekr: Pioneering Intel’s AI-Enhanced SDV SoCs
Geely’s Zeekr brand will be the first OEM to use Intel’s new SDV SoCs. Andy An, president of Geely Holding Group and CEO of Zeekr Company Limited, discussed how Intel’s systems will enable Zeekr to scale and upgrade services, like generative AI-based voice assistants.
Intel’s Open Standards and Chiplet Platform Initiative
Intel and SAE International’s collaboration to deliver an automotive standard for Vehicle Platform Power Management (J3311) is crucial for a smoother transition to EVs. Additionally, Intel’s intent to work with R&D hub imec signifies a commitment to an open automotive chiplet platform, providing OEMs with more flexibility and scalability in software-defined architectures.