Australian firm BrainChip’s IP is being integrated into a South Korean AI processor set for the Japanese smart meter market.

BrainChip is a commercial producer of neuromorphic AI technology. It has entered a technology licensing agreement with EdgeAI, a Korean semiconductor company specialising in AI processors. The partnership focuses on integrating BrainChip’s Akida 2 IP into EdgeAI’s forthcoming SoC product line, with a primary initial application for smart meters.

BrainChip will provide EdgeAI with access to its Akida 2 neuromorphic IP. This technology will serve as the core intelligence for EdgeAI’s low-power ICs, designed to meet the energy constraints of industrial and consumer endpoint devices. The collaboration enables a leap from existing automated meter reading (AMR) technologies to intelligent, edge-native systems.

The upcoming commercialised version will use the Akida-powered EdgeAI chip to provide AI metering functions for water, gas and electricity meters. This modular design has a universal communication box paired with specific camera modules tailored to each utility type.

The low-power consumption of the Akida architecture allows for a massive reduction in battery requirements. This enables manufacturers to either eliminate one of the two batteries used in design or reduce the overall battery size, leading to smaller, more cost-effective devices while providing eight years of operating life.

Production is specifically targeted at the Japanese market, where the demand for efficient, long-life automated utility infrastructure is accelerating.

By processing data at the point of acquisition via camera modules, it provides accurate, real-time data without the latency or energy costs associated with cloud processing.

“This collaboration ensures that our silicon remains at the forefront of the global transition towards intelligent, sustainable edge infrastructure,” said JW Yang, CEO of EdgeAI.

Sean Hehir, CEO of BrainChip (www.brainchip.com), added: “This agreement reflects the growing global demand for neuromorphic computing and the unique advantages delivered by our Akida technology. Together, we are enabling smarter, more efficient edge devices that can operate with exceptionally low power while supporting sophisticated on-device intelligence.” 

The commercial terms of the agreement include access to Akida IP, integration documentation, development tools and engineering assistance to support EdgeAI (www.edge-ai.kr) through the design and integration phases. Compensation to BrainChip includes an upfront licence fee and subsequent royalties based on the production volume of EdgeAI’s SoCs.