Hi Manny,
I'm hoping it’s only a matter of time before Synopsys emerge as a strategic partner of ours.
What I think is really interesting is that Synopsys' partner ecosystem is very similar to our own partner ecosystem, which is something that
@7für7 has pointed out previously.
Like us, Synopsys has deep ties to key players such as
Arm, Renesas, Mercedes-Benz, Tata Elxsi, Intel IFS, SiFive, RISC‑V, GlobalFoundries, and TSMC. I reckon this overlap is too strong to ignore.
Their long-standing focus on ultra-low-power embedded and IoT design goes back at least to 2015, and aligns closely with the same market segments that BrainChip targets with Akida, particularly edge AI, automotive, and next-gen SoC architectures.
All the way back in October 2017, BrainChip shipped its first Accelerator card based on spiking neural network (SNN) technology to a major European automaker, widely believed to be Mercedes-Benz.
At the same time, Mercedes-Benz was already a long-standing user of Synopsys tools, including Silver and TestWeaver, for the development and validation of ECUs across engine, transmission, and powertrain domains. Synopsys was and still is deeply embedded in their ECU simulation and virtual prototyping stack.
If Mercedes evaluated BrainChip’s SNN accelerator for ADAS or sensor-processing in 2017, it’s may be plausible they did so in the context of their existing Synopsys-based workflow, in which case, Synopsys might have been aware of BrainChip’s involvement, even if only through customer-side integration.
Looking ahead, I've been wondering if there might be a case for Synopsys to incorporate BrainChip’s Akida IP into their own product stack to strengthen their position in the following areas:
- Embedded IoT SoCs, where Synopsys already offers the ARC EM and VPX cores, and Akida could add ultra-low-power neuromorphic inference for voice, motion, and anomaly detection
- Automotive and SDV platforms, where Akida could enable always-on, low-latency inference for in-cabin sensing, driver monitoring, sensor fusion, and on-device learning
- Virtual prototyping and SoC simulation tools, where Akida-enabled IP blocks could be supported within Silver, Virtualizer, and future digital twin environments for functional safety and early software validation
Given Synopsys’s role as a leader in EDA tools, processor IP, and automotive-grade SoC design frameworks, adding Akida to their portfolio, either as licensed IP or co-marketed modules, would allow them to address the neuromorphic edge with minimal overhead and maximum ecosystem compatibility.
Obviously, this is all just my own conjecture at this point, but in my view, it seems entirely plausible.
For what it's worth, I asked ChatGPT for its perspective and have included the response below.
Of course, I know everyone’s already aware - but just to reiterate: ChatGPT isn’t always accurate, and neither are my own thoughts, as they’re ultimately just speculation. I could be completely wrong. Still, I think it’s worth considering in the broader context.
ChatGPT said:
Absolutely — let’s explore how
Arm, Renesas, Mercedes-Benz, Tata Elxsi, Intel IFS, SiFive, RISC‑V, GlobalFoundries, TSMC, and
BrainChip are interconnected in overlapping partner ecosystems and how they might, individually and collectively,
collaborate to accelerate the adoption of BrainChip’s Akida neuromorphic technology.
1. Partner Ecosystem Map – How They’re Interconnected
Entity | Role / Relevance | Relationship to BrainChip or Shared Ecosystem |
---|
Arm | Global leader in CPU IP; host of the Arm AI Partner Program | BrainChip is a listed Arm AI Partner; Akida supports Arm Cortex-M/DSP systems |
Renesas | Major automotive SoC vendor; signed an IP license agreement with BrainChip in 2020 | Taped out an Akida-powered chip (2022); future deployment potential in ADAS & edge AI |
Mercedes-Benz | Advanced ADAS and software-defined vehicle (SDV) leader; early user of Synopsys tools | Widely speculated to be the first commercial evaluator of BrainChip’s Akida Accelerator in 2017 |
Tata Elxsi | Design and engineering services firm; deep in automotive software, SDV, and silicon integration | Likely candidate to help integrate Akida IP into multi-domain SDV platforms |
Intel IFS | Intel’s foundry division; partners with fabless chipmakers to manufacture next-gen silicon | BrainChip is an official Intel IFS Ecosystem Partner for silicon enablement |
SiFive | RISC‑V CPU IP provider; developing customizable silicon with AI acceleration capabilities | BrainChip supports RISC‑V architectures, and Akida IP can be integrated with SiFive designs |
RISC‑V | Open ISA consortium; pushing for open, customizable alternatives to Arm | Akida is fully compatible with RISC‑V cores; BrainChip has explored RISC‑V integrations |
GlobalFoundries | Major semiconductor foundry supporting automotive-grade and edge AI chips | Could be used to fabricate Akida-powered ASICs or modules |
TSMC | World’s largest and most advanced chip foundry | Likely used by Renesas, Arm partners, and potentially BrainChip’s production in future |
BrainChip | Developer of Akida™, a neuromorphic AI processor IP for ultra-low power edge learning/inference | Central to all the above — with a footprint in edge AI, automotive, and embedded compute |
2. How They Could Collaborate to Advance Akida Adoption
A. Automotive / Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV)
Collaboration | Description |
---|
Renesas + Akida | Integrate Akida IP into next-gen R-Car Gen5 SoCs for DMS, OMS, anomaly detection |
Mercedes-Benz + Tata Elxsi + Synopsys | Mercedes uses Synopsys Silver/TestWeaver tools; Tata Elxsi can integrate Akida into vECU workflows and validate through Synopsys digital twins |
Arm / RISC‑V + Akida | Akida IP can be used in zonal controllers powered by either Arm or RISC‑V cores, supporting real-time neuromorphic inference at the edge |
Intel IFS + TSMC / GloFo | Akida-powered SoCs or accelerators can be manufactured at Intel or other foundries depending on use case (automotive vs consumer) |
Outcome: Automotive OEMs like Mercedes could deploy
Akida-enabled perception, monitoring, or sensor fusion modules in SDVs — validated via Synopsys tools, integrated by Tata Elxsi, running on Arm or RISC-V controllers, and manufactured via Intel IFS, GlobalFoundries, or TSMC.
B. Embedded IoT and Edge AI
Collaboration | Description |
---|
Arm Cortex-M / Akida | Combine Akida with Arm’s ultra-low-power cores (M33/M55) for smart sensors, audio, wearables |
SiFive + RISC‑V + Akida | Custom SoCs for industrial or consumer edge AI with RISC-V + Akida SNN core |
GlobalFoundries / TSMC | Manufacture low-power IoT ASICs featuring Akida IP |
Tata Elxsi | System integration for healthcare, smart home, and industrial AI devices |
Outcome: Partners could help create
Akida-powered microcontrollers or
smart sensor hubs with embedded learning capabilities for audio detection, vibration sensing, or anomaly monitoring — fabricated via GloFo or TSMC, integrated by Tata Elxsi or ODMs.
C. Foundry Enablement & IP Distribution
Collaboration | Description |
---|
Intel IFS | BrainChip is already a member of Intel’s IFS ecosystem; could enable silicon integration at 22/18nm or advanced nodes |
TSMC / GloFo | Offers multi-foundry flexibility — ideal for scaling Akida-based SoCs across different markets (e.g. consumer, industrial, auto) |
Synopsys + BrainChip | Synopsys could package Akida within its DesignWare IP ecosystem, ARC EM cores, or vECU platforms |
Outcome: Foundries and IP vendors provide the
design and manufacturing infrastructure to support wide deployment of Akida IP across industries.
3. Why This Ecosystem Matters
This network creates a powerful
end-to-end pipeline for BrainChip’s adoption:
- IP licensing & CPU pairing: Arm, SiFive, RISC‑V
- SoC integration & validation: Renesas, Synopsys, Tata Elxsi
- Automotive OEM adoption: Mercedes-Benz
- Manufacturing enablement: Intel IFS, TSMC, GlobalFoundries
- Toolchain & virtualization: Synopsys Silver, Virtualizer
- Product use-cases: SDV, IoT, robotics, defense, medical
Final Insight
BrainChip stands at the center of
converging megatrends: neuromorphic AI, edge computing, SDV, and low-power IoT.
The
collective alignment of these global players — across silicon IP, system integration, automotive design, and advanced manufacturing — creates a uniquely powerful ecosystem in which
Akida can be validated, integrated, and scaled.
If these partners choose to move in sync, they could rapidly accelerate
mainstream adoption of BrainChip’s technology across automotive, industrial, and consumer markets — delivering energy-efficient, adaptive intelligence at the edge.