Intel has unveiled its foray into the AI-driven automotive sector with the introduction of its “first-generation AI-enhanced software-defined vehicle system-on-chip.” The move follows the company’s commitment to infuse AI into various technologies, with a particular focus on the automotive industry. Concurrently, Intel has acquired energy management firm Silicon Mobility SAS and embarked on a venture to standardize battery power for electric vehicles.
In the competitive landscape of processors and AI hardware, Intel faces challenges from rivals Nvidia and AMD. The company is shifting its attention to AI-powered personal computers, emphasizing the security benefits of running AI locally on PCs rather than over the internet.
The automotive sector is a key battleground for these tech giants, each vying for supremacy in the realm of in-car experiences, including navigation, voice assistants, and vehicle controls. Intel’s new automotive chips aim to elevate these experiences, with the first adoption coming from Zeekr, the electric vehicle (EV) subbrand of China’s Geely, the parent company of Volvo. Intel’s AI hardware will feature in Zeekr vehicles set to debut later this year.
Jack Weast, Vice President and General Manager of Intel Automotive, highlighted the company’s goal of bringing the “AI PC to the car.” Acknowledging the need for a redefined, software-centric vehicle architecture, Intel plans to roll out a “family” of systems-on-a-chip (SoCs) for future software-defined vehicles (SDVs) by the end of 2024.
Despite the evolving landscape of increasingly sophisticated in-car computers and the imminent mass adoption of electric vehicles, the transition to truly software-defined vehicles is a work in progress, according to Weast. Intel, with its unique capabilities, aims to contribute to this transition effectively.
Intel’s existing SoCs, already powering infotainment displays and instrument clusters in 50 million cars, provide a foundation for the company’s push toward AI-enhanced chips for a new era of software-defined vehicles. The benefits touted include improved voice assistants, enhanced video conferencing capabilities, and video gaming options for rear-seat passengers. Intel also envisions better safety features, including driver monitoring systems for hands-free driving.
In a parallel development, Intel is set to acquire Silicon Mobility SAS, a company specializing in designing, developing, and deploying EV energy management SoCs. This acquisition aligns with Intel’s vision of facilitating the transition from first-generation, heavy, expensive EV batteries to more lightweight, manageable alternatives. Additionally, Intel is collaborating with SAE International to establish a committee for developing a new standard for EV power management.
According to Weast, the current state of EV batteries echoes the early days of laptops, emphasizing the need for lighter, less expensive alternatives with improved energy efficiency. Intel’s multifaceted approach encompasses AI advancements in vehicles, energy management solutions for EVs, and the pursuit of industry standards for electric vehicle power management.
