Nordic Semiconductor Unveils Revolutionary Edge AI Technology for Millions of IoT Devices

Nordic Semiconductor Unveils Edge AI Solutions

Nordic Semiconductor has recently announced a groundbreaking advancement in edge AI technology aimed explicitly at enhancing the capabilities of millions of IoT devices. With the introduction of the new nRF54L SoC series and the Nordic Edge AI Lab, the company is setting a new standard in the integration of artificial intelligence into ultra-low power, battery-operated devices.

The nRF54LM20B system-on-chip (SoC) is the first in the nRF54L series, featuring an integrated Axon Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that is optimized for edge AI workloads. This advanced SoC presents an incredible leap in both performance and energy efficiency, being able to deliver up to seven times more performance with eight times greater energy efficiency compared to existing solutions. This allows for a seamless implementation of demanding tasks such as sound classification and image recognition directly on the device, reducing latency by eliminating the need to communicate with cloud services.

Veghard Wollan, CEO of Nordic Semiconductor, emphasized the necessity of integrating edge AI technology within connected devices. He notes, "Edge AI is no longer optional; it is the only way to ensure security, privacy, and sustainability at scale. Our solution facilitates millisecond decision-making without the latency of cloud communications, ensuring that data processing remains compliant through local handling, while extending the battery life of billions of connected devices."

Alongside the nRF54LM20B, Nordic's commitment to simplifying AI integration is evident in their Neuton models, compact edge AI models that are less than 5 KB in size. These models allow developers to create tailored AI solutions for anomaly detection, gesture recognition, and biometric monitoring without relying on cloud resources, ensuring efficiency and data privacy.

The Nordic Edge AI Lab serves as a development platform for these Neuton models, facilitating developers in rapidly transforming their product concepts into reality. For example, a global supply chain solutions provider recently upgraded its intelligent trackers using AI models developed in the Nordic Edge AI Lab, enabling the real-time detection of handling events like shocks or pressures directly on the nRF54L SoC.

Oyvind Strom, Executive Vice President of Nordic's Short-Range Business Unit, outlined the vision behind the Nordic Edge AI Lab, stating, "We’ve made advanced on-device AI accessible to all embedded system developers. The simplicity and efficiency of our solutions enable scalability from wearables to industrial sensors."

As the industry pushes towards distributed intelligence, the need for robust over-the-air (OTA) management and comprehensive observability continues to rise. With the Nordic Cloud Lifecycle Services, manufacturers can track device performance in real time, continuously enhancing product functionalities to meet evolving regulatory and customer demands. By leveraging data from deployed devices, companies can improve capabilities without compromising user experience, ensuring the security and efficiency of connected products throughout their lifecycle.

The Nordic Edge AI Lab and custom Neuton models are now available for the nRF54 series SoCs and cellular IoT modules. The nRF54LM20B with Axon NPU is currently being sampled to select customers, with general availability expected in early Q2 2026. To learn more, interested customers can reach out to Nordic sales representatives.

Moreover, visitors at CES 2026 can explore live demos of these innovative, energy-saving edge AI solutions at booth 52039 in the Venetian Expo. Nordic will showcase advancements in Bluetooth Channel Sounding, Matter for smart home applications, cellular IoT, satellite connectivity, and much more.