Axelera AI is a startup targeting edge AI applications. The company specializes in imaging application solutions for edge node applications, leveraging Metis AI Processing Unit (AIPU) chips, embedded hardware AI inference acceleration cards, and Voyager SDK software solutions. Unlike AI systems developed in high-density cloud data centers, edge AI computing delivers energy efficiency, information security, low latency, and fast response to quickly power embedded AI systems’ real-time vision and smart detection applications.
The technology offered by Axelera AI spans real-time image recognition with 4K/8K image resolution, security surveillance, campus safety, drone imaging, and more, pioneering new models for the development of high-performance AI inference in a variety of fields. The company’s Metis chips boast computing performance of up to 214 TOPS (TeraOPS) of inference performance with INT8 precision. For example, the ResNet-50 convolutional neural network (CNN) model for object segmentation and analysis can achieve high processing speeds of 3200 frames per second (FPS) on a single Metis chip, consuming only about 10 W of power while providing stable real-time analysis capabilities. This balance of performance and environmental benefits is attracting significant attention in the market.
Meanwhile, AI inference acceleration cards integrated with Metis chips are also a major product line. Two types of accelerator cards support M.2 and PCIe interfaces to quickly meet the needs of system integrators, OEM customers, and industrial PC (IPC) manufacturers. These flexible connectivity interfaces allow Axelera to engage in business with a variety of embedded AI system manufacturers.
In addition to its hardware lineup, Axelera’s software support is also a key factor in its success. The Voyager SDK software suite facilitates hardware and software integration for system integrators. An open source software framework for computer vision is now available on GitHub, enabling customers to solve their AI business requirements. The Voyager SDK comes with Model Zoo, a turnkey catalog of AI models that allows customers to import their own AI models or choose from Model Zoo models. These products significantly reduce development time and are more complete and efficient.
Axelera AI’s business model is based on collaboration with system integrators and OEM clients, encompassing the co-development of AI projects and customized data architectures, and providing clients with one-stop, high-performance edge AI solutions. Axelera AI works closely with Taiwan’s leading industrial PC vendors and OEM/ODM clients to develop key applications for financial institutions, research institutions, medical solution providers, and other public facilities that prioritize data security, privacy, and safety. This effort aims to create new applications for Edge AI and unlock its significant value.
