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Could Akida by any chance be the integrated AI accelerator used in the newly launched Raspberry Pi AI Camera, jointly developed by Raspberry Pi and Sony Semiconductor Solutions (SSS)? (For the sake of completeness, I should, however, add that while Sony’s IMX500 Camera Module is being promoted as having on-chip AI image processing, there is no specific mention of this involving neuromorphic technology.)
I am afraid I can’t answer the legitimate question regarding potential revenue, though. It is a fact that Sony Semiconductor Solutions has not signed a license with us, so it would have to be a license through either Megachips or Renesas (both of which also happen to be Japanese companies).
I guess - as usual - we will have to resort to watching the financials, unless we find out sooner one way or the other…
So here goes my train of thought: Yesterday (Sept 30) was the Raspberry Pi AI Camera’s official launch - coincidentally (or not?), this happened to be the day when the BRN share price soared without any official news as a catalyst… Could there have been some kind of leak, though?
Also, BrainChip has promised “exciting demos, including our Temporal Event-based Neural Networks (TENNs) and the Raspberry Pi 5 with Face and Edge Learning” for the Embedded World North America, taking place from October 8-10, 2024, at the Convention Center in Austin, TX.
The now sold-out Akida Raspberry Pi Dev Kit was based on the Raspberry Pi 4, so they won’t be using one of those for the announced Raspberry Pi 5 demo. Since we are nowadays primarily an IP company, would manufacturing and releasing a new Akida Dev Kit based on a Raspberry Pi 5 make sense? Not really. How about demonstrating an affordable AI camera using Akida technology manufactured by someone else (the mysterious Custom Customer SoC?)…
The Raspberry Pi AI Kit that came out in June and uses a Hailo AI acceleration module will only work with a Raspberry Pi 5 (introduced in October 2023), whereas the new Raspberry Pi AI Camera will work with all Raspberry Pi models. So while it may perform best on the latest Raspberry Pi 5, it will still be useful for developers with older RPI models as well.
Maybe one of the resident TSE techies will be able to tell us right away that this is a dead end or a pie in the sky, but until then I’ll keep my fingers crossed…
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Sony Semiconductor Solutions and Raspberry Pi Launch the Raspberry Pi AI Camera Accelerating the development of edge AI solutions|News Releases|Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group
Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group develops device business which includes Micro display, LSIs, and Semiconductor Laser, in focusing on Image Sensor.www.sony-semicon.com
Sony Semiconductor Solutions and Raspberry Pi Launch the Raspberry Pi AI Camera
Accelerating the development of edge AI solutions
Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
Raspberry Pi Ltd.
Atsugi, Japan and Cambridge, UK — Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (SSS) and Raspberry Pi Ltd today announced that they are launching a jointly developed AI camera. The Raspberry Pi AI Camera, which is compatible with Raspberry Pi’s range of single-board computers, will accelerate the development of AI solutions which process visual data at the edge. Starting from September 30, the product will be available for purchase from Raspberry Pi’s network of Approved Resellers, for a suggested retail price of $70.00*.
* Not including any applicable local taxes.
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In April 2023, it was announced that SSS would make a minority investment in Raspberry Pi Ltd. Since then, the companies have been working to develop an edge AI platform for the community of Raspberry Pi developers, based on SSS technology. The AI Camera is powered by SSS’s IMX500 intelligent vision sensor, which is capable of on-chip AI image processing, and enables Raspberry Pi users around the world to easily and efficiently develop edge AI solutions that process visual data.
“SSS and Raspberry Pi Ltd aim to provide Raspberry Pi users and the development community with a unique development experience,” said Eita Yanagisawa, General Manager, System Solutions Division, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation. “I’m very excited to share SSS edge AI sensing technology with the world’s largest development community as the first fruits of our strategic partnership. We look forward to further collaboration with Raspberry Pi using our AITRIOS™ edge AI solution development and operations platform. We aim to make the most of AI cameras equipped with our image sensors in our collaborative efforts with Raspberry Pi.”
- AI camera features
- Because vision data is normally massive, using it to develop AI solutions can require a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerator, and a variety of other components in addition to a camera. The new Raspberry Pi AI Camera, however, is equipped with the IMX500 intelligent vision sensor which handles AI processing, making it easy to develop edge AI solutions with just a Raspberry Pi and the AI Camera.
- The new AI Camera is compatible with all Raspberry Pi single-board computers, including the latest Raspberry Pi 5. This enables users to develop solutions with familiar hardware and software, taking advantage of the widely used and powerful libcamera and Picamera2 software libraries.
“AI-based image processing is becoming an attractive tool for developers around the world,” said Eben Upton, CEO, Raspberry Pi Ltd. “Together with our longstanding image sensor partner Sony Semiconductor Solutions, we have developed the Raspberry Pi AI Camera, incorporating Sony’s image sensor expertise. We look forward to seeing what our community members are able to achieve using the power of the Raspberry Pi AI Camera.”
Specifications
About Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
Sensor model: SSS's approx. 12.3 effective megapixel IMX500 intelligent vision sensor with a powerful neural network accelerator Sensor modes: 4,056(H) x 3,040(V) at 10 fps / 2,028(H) x 1,520(V) at 40 fps Unit cell size: 1.55 µm x 1.55 µm 76 degree FoV with manual/mechanical adjustable focus Integrated RP2040 for neural network firmware management Works with all Raspberry Pi models using only Raspberry Pi standard camera connector cable Pre-loaded with MobileNetSSD model Fully integrated with libcamera
Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation and the global leader in image sensors. It operates in the semiconductor business, which includes image sensors and other products. The company strives to provide advanced imaging technologies that bring greater convenience and fun. In addition, it also works to develop and bring to market new kinds of sensing technologies with the aim of offering various solutions that will take the visual and recognition capabilities of both human and machines to greater heights.
For more information, please visit https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/index.html.
About Raspberry Pi Ltd
Raspberry Pi is on a mission to put high-performance, low-cost, general-purpose computing platforms in the hands of enthusiasts and engineers all over the world. Since 2012, we’ve been designing single-board and modular computers, built on the Arm architecture, and running the Linux operating system. Whether you’re an educator looking to excite the next generation of computer scientists; an enthusiast searching for inspiration for your next project; or an OEM who needs a proven rock-solid foundation for your next generation of smart products, there’s a Raspberry Pi computer for you.
Note: AITRIOS is the registered trademark or trademark of Sony Group Corporation or its affiliates.
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After reading this post early this morning I'm a little surprised that there hasn't been further discussion with the AKIDA Pico and Raspberry Pi.
My first thought this morning, when I read about "AKIDA Pico", I immediately thought of the Raspberry Pi board known as the "Raspberry Pico". This is a board that has use cases typically powered by battery, so power draw needs to be kept to a minumum.
What are people thoughts on the AKIDA Pico & Raspberry Pico being linked somehow?? (Keep in mind that the Rasberry Pico 2 has just been prereleased)