Intel to Unveil AI PC Chips, Rivals NVIDIA and Qualcomm
Intel has officially unveiled its latest artificial intelligence (AI) PC chips tailored for automotive applications, positioning itself in direct competition with industry leaders Qualcomm and NVIDIA within the semiconductor landscape. These cutting-edge chips are engineered to power the computational needs of next-generation automotive systems.
In a strategic move, Intel has disclosed its acquisition of Silicon Mobility, a pioneering French startup specializing in System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and software designed for controlling electric vehicle motors and in-car charging systems. The financial details of the acquisition, involving a minority stake controlled by venture funds Cipio Partners and Capital-E, have not been publicly disclosed by Intel.
Jack Weast, Head of Intel's automotive division, announced that Zeekr (极氪), a prominent Chinese automaker, will be the inaugural adopter of Intel's AI chip system. This deployment aims to enhance the in-car experience by incorporating features such as AI voice assistants and video conferencing, transforming the vehicle into an advanced digital space.
Weast emphasized that Intel's latest automotive System-on-Chip (SoC) products leverage the company's state-of-the-art AI PC technology, ensuring they meet the rigorous durability and performance criteria demanded by modern vehicles.
While Intel has played a pivotal role in supplying chips for entertainment systems in over 50 million vehicles, it faces robust competition from NVIDIA and Qualcomm. This is particularly evident in the burgeoning market for high-performance semiconductors essential for autonomous driving technology, upgradable vehicle system software, and sophisticated dashboard displays.
Weast outlined Intel's commitment to differentiation by offering versatile chip solutions applicable across diverse automotive product lines, ranging from budget-friendly options to luxury vehicles. He underscored the importance of scalability in AI for automobiles, noting that a scalable solution should be both energy-efficient and cost-effective, alluding to concerns about the power consumption and cost of NVIDIA's formidable yet pricier products.
In response to market dynamics, NVIDIA entered a collaboration with MediaTek in 2023 to develop more cost-effective chips, specifically targeting the budget-friendly segment of the market, including information entertainment displays based on Android used in entry-level vehicles.
As the Chinese electric vehicle market experiences rapid growth, it has become a focal point for chip manufacturers. Chinese automakers are fiercely competing to deliver advanced entertainment systems and autonomous driving capabilities. Zeekr, a key player in this landscape and a customer of both Intel and NVIDIA technologies, exemplifies this trend.
Weast assured stakeholders that Intel maintains a neutral stance regarding the technology preferences of automaker clients. Notably, Intel will not impose the use of advanced driving chips from its former Mobileye division. Instead, it will facilitate automakers in integrating their own chips into the Intel ecosystem at a more cost-effective rate, enabling the customization of specific functionalities.
