Hi equanimous,
8 September 2022
".
@NASA has tapped @SiFive (and @MicrochipTech) to create a space-centric RISC-V processor: the High-Performance Spaceflight Computing chip. At heart of the HPSC will be SiFive's X280 64-bit RISC-V cores, which include ML acceleration capabilities."
SiFive does have its own ML, but it is software-based:
https://www.sifive.com/cores/intelligence
S
iFive Intelligence is an integrated software + hardware solution that addresses energy efficient inference applications. It starts with SiFive’s industry-leading RISC-V Core IP, adds RISC-V Vector (RVV) support, and then goes a step further with the inclusion of software tools and new SiFive Intelligence Extensions, vector operations specifically tuned for the acceleration of machine learning operations. These new instructions, integrated with a multi-core capable, Linux-capable, dual-issue microarchitecture, with up to 512b wide vectors, and bundled with TensorFlow Lite support, are well-suited for high-performance, low-power inference applications.
We've been friends with SiFive in public since April, so that's 5 months plus the clandestine (NDA) period which would add several months.
https://brainchip.com/brainchip-sifive-partner-deploy-ai-ml-at-edge/
Laguna Hills, Calif. – April 5, 2022 –
BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN, OTCQX: BRCHF, ADR: BCHPY), the world’s first commercial producer of ultra-low power neuromorphic AI chips and IP, and SiFive, Inc., the founder and leader of RISC-V computing, have combined their respective technologies to offer chip designers optimized AI/ML compute at the edge.
Hardware ML would be an optimization compared to software ML.
We are not listed among Microchip's AI/ML partners, but one of our friends is:
https://www.microchip.com/en-us/solutions/machine-learning/design-partners
Get Expert Help With Your AI/ML Design
If you need assistance developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) project, we have partnered with industry-leading design companies to provide state-of-the art AI-based solutions and software tools that support our portfolio of silicon products. These partners have proven capabilities and are uniquely qualified to provide you with the support you need to successfully bring your innovative design to life.
| Design Partner | Location | Contact Info | Application Area | Focus/Strength | Focus Microchip Products | Customer Prerequisites |
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| | | | | | | |
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| Edge Impulse | San Jose, USA | hello@edgeimpulse.com | Smart Predictive Maintenance, Smart HMI | Development Software Toolkit | Arm Cortex-based 32-bit MCUs and MPUs | AI solution developers |
| Motion Gestures | Waterloo, Canada | info@motiongestures.com | Smart HMI | Gesture Recognition Solution | Arm Cortex-based 32-bit MCUs and MPUs | No AI experience required |
| SensiML | Oregon, USA | info@sensiml.com +1 (503) 567-1248 | Predictive Maintenance, Gesture Recognition, Process Control | Small-Footprint, Low-Power Edge Devices | Arm Cortex-based 32-bit MCUs and MPUs | AI solutions developers |
So. given we have known SiFive for more than 6 months, and given we are friends with Edge Impulse, and given the objective our partnership with SiFive of producing optimized AI/ML, and given NASA's penchant for energy efficiency and autonomous operation, you'd have to think that we have a reasonable chance of being involved.