Research center imec and KU Leuven present energy-efficient AI chips for robots
Research center imec and KU Leuven have developed a new type of chips for robots that work with artificial intelligence (AI). The chips combine a digital and analog coprocessor: in this way, the calculations that the AI performs can be accelerated, and energy is saved at the same time.
Research center imec and KU Leuven have developed a new type of chips for robots that work with artificial intelligence (AI). The chips combine a digital and analog coprocessor: in this way, the calculations that the AI performs can be accelerated, and energy is saved at the same time.
Research center imec and KU Leuven have developed a new type of chips for robots that work with artificial intelligence (AI). The chips combine a digital and analog coprocessor: in this way, the calculations that the AI performs can be accelerated, and energy is saved at the same time.
Two years ago, imec developed a new type of chip with analog technology. The calculations that that type of chip performs are performed directly in computer memory. That makes it possible to perform most of the operations ten to a hundred times more energy-efficient than in a digital accelerator. For another part of the operations, in turn, the computational precision and programmability of a digital accel erator is better suited.
To combine these two advantages, imec has developed a processor that merges analog and digital technology. This led to the development of a new chip: the DIgital and ANalog Accelerator (DIANA).
The hybrid chip automatically performs the operations on the coprocessor best suited for each specific task. For some applications, such as pattern recognition, an analog processor is best suited. Other applications, such as reasoning about those observations, also require a digital coprocessor. The chip from KU Leuven and imec combines the two processors so that computations are always performed in the most energy-efficient way.
The chips combine a digital and analog coprocessor: in this way, the calculations that the AI performs can be accelerated, and energy is saved at the same time.
Latest insights & stories
Seven cybersecurity trends and threats for 2025
Last year saw another alarming increase in cyber-attacks, with hackers using increasingly sophisticated methods. Proximus NXT and its security partners explain how to navigate a minefield of vulnerabilities in 2025.
IT is innovating faster than ever. We should embrace the limitless possibilities in cloud adoption, generative and non-generative artificial intelligence and the increasing use of APIs, says our expert panel. At the same time, cyber criminals see such trends as opportunities to compromise businesses and are capitalizing on new vulnerabilities.
The az groeninge hospital innovates care with 5G
A private 5G network at az groeninge provides the platform for the hospital to roll out innovation. From remote monitoring with biosensors to robotic surgery and training using VR: everything is focused on patient care.
Why your AI project is also a data project
AI needs quality data to realize its full potential. Yashfeen Saiyid, Data & AI Practice Lead at Proximus NXT, explains how to use a data-driven approach to lay the foundations for a successful AI project.
“There are more and more business applications, these days, based on artificial intelligence. And the accelerating rise of generative AI, with ChatGPT as its flagship, is simply breathtaking. According to Gartner, 90% of companies will use AI in the workplace by 2025,” begins Yashfeen Saiyid, Data & AI Practice Lead at Proximus NXT and Managing Director at Codit.