STMicroelectronics NPU-Accelerated STM32 Microcontrollers Boost Edge AI Development

STMicroelectronics is making embedded artificial intelligence (AI) on-device widely available with its new STM32 microcontroller series. These new NPU-accelerated microcontrollers, which have been available to selected companies since October 2023 and are now available in high volumes, integrate accelerated machine-learning (ML) capabilities for the first time. This makes it possible to run computer vision, audio processing, sound analysis and more directly in low-power, cost-sensitive products.

Grinn, an electronics design and engineering development house, announced the launch of its latest System on Module, the Grinn AstraSOM-1680, powered by the advanced Synaptics Astra SL1680 embedded processor. The Grinn AstraSOM-1680 is a compact, high-performance module designed to bring new capabilities to edge devices, enabling smart camera applications and AI-intensive applications such as Natural Language Processing.

Ceva and Edge Impulse announced a collaboration to rapidly develop, train and deploy advanced embedded machine learning (ML) applications on Ceva's neural processing units with cycle-accurate performance, even before physical hardware is available. This first-of-its-kind collaboration based around Ceva's NPU IP ensures that developers can accurately benchmark and refine the performance of their edge AI models using Edge Impulse's platform, significantly accelerating the time-to-market.

Particle, a company from San Francisco focused on edge-to-cloud connectivity and platforms, has launched Tachyon, its first Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered single-board computer (SBC), comprising a powerful NPU for AI/ML workloads, built-in high-bandwidth cellular 5G and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, and a Linux-powered Ubuntu operating system. The board is now available for pre-order on Kickstarter starting at $149.

Femtosense, in partnership with ABOV Semiconductor in South Korea, has launched the AI-ADAM-100, an artificial intelligence microcontroller unit (AI MCU) built on sparse AI technology to enable on-device AI features such as voice-based control in home appliances and other products. According to the Silicon Valley startup, the new AI-ADAM-100 AI MCU is a low-power, low-cost option for on-device language processing and voice-cleanup capabilities.

Ceva, a leading licensor of silicon and software IP that enables edge devices to connect, sense and infer data more reliably and efficiently, announced that it has extended its Ceva-NeuPro family of NPUs. These meet growing demand for efficient and specialized AI applications at the Edge, where power and processing power is often limited, particularly in consumer products such as TWS earbuds, wearables, smart speakers, smart appliances, home automation devices, cameras, and more.