Strategic Partnership Between Synopsys and SiMa.ai to Enhance Automotive Edge AI Innovations

Collaborative Efforts in Automotive Edge AI

Synopsys Inc. and SiMa.ai have recently joined forces to advance the creation of automotive edge artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. This strategic collaboration promises to accelerate the development of silicon and software tailored for the automotive sector, specifically focusing on workload-specific applications crucial for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and in-vehicle infotainment (IVI).

Need for Advanced AI Solutions

As vehicles become smarter and more interconnected, the demand for AI-integrated features grows significantly. To achieve this, automotive manufacturers need to leverage cutting-edge technology that supports artificial intelligence capabilities on the edge. Traditionally, existing software-defined vehicle (SDV) architectures are inadequate to handle the increasing complexity and diversity of applications that automakers face today. This collaboration seeks to address these challenges by combining Synopsys’ electronic design automation (EDA) tools with SiMa.ai's machine learning accelerator technologies.

A Powerful Synergy

Synopsys, recognized for its strong presence in the automotive industry with partnerships involving over 50 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and tier-one suppliers, aims to leverage its extensive experience in virtual prototyping and hardware-assisted verification. Meanwhile, SiMa.ai specializes in the development of high-performance, energy-efficient machine learning solutions. Together, the two companies will provide a comprehensive platform that enhances the performance, reliability, and efficiency of automotive systems.

Key Features of the Partnership

1. Early Architecture Exploration: The partnership will enable automotive engineers to choose optimal performance, power, and software application requirements, which are critical for developing custom or third-party system-on-chip (SoC) solutions.
2. Shift-Left Software Development: It will focus on supporting generative AI and multi-modal functions while streamlining software and hardware integration, thus significantly reducing time to market.
3. Cost-effective In-vehicle Experiences: By providing silicon-proven building blocks and fully customizable subsystems, the collaboration aims to deliver differentiated in-car experiences while maintaining cost efficiency.
4. Upgradeability: AI-driven applications will be designed for both current and future automotive needs, including the capability for over-the-air updates.

Quotes from Leaders

Ravi Subramanian, who heads the Product Management and Markets Group at Synopsys, stated, "Our partnership with SiMa.ai represents a critical shift in modernizing the hardware/software co-design processes for automotive companies, enabling them to navigate the complexities of advanced in-car experiences."

On the other hand, Krishna Rangasayee, the Founder and CEO of SiMa.ai, emphasized that combining their machine learning system-on-chip (MLSoC) platform with Synopsys’ industry-leading IP solutions creates a robust environment for the next generation of automotive intelligence, making cars significantly smarter and safer.

Looking Forward: CES 2025

As part of their ongoing collaboration, Synopsys and SiMa.ai will present their innovations at CES 2025 from January 7 to 10. They invite attendees to explore how their joint efforts are set to transform automotive edge AI solutions.

For more details on this partnership and to schedule meetings at CES, interested parties can contact Synopsys directly. The future of automotive technology is in the hands of such collaborative innovations, which are essential for remaining competitive in an evolving market landscape.

Conclusion

The strategic collaboration between Synopsys and SiMa.ai marks a significant advancement in the automotive industry. By uniting their strengths, the two companies are paving the way for a new era of intelligent automotive systems that prioritize both performance and power efficiency, setting a transformative course for the future of driving.