In an industry-first move, ARM has unveiled its groundbreaking Automotive Enhanced (AE) processors, setting a new benchmark for AI-driven vehicles. The Hashlist team took a look at why the launch could mark a significant leap in the automotive sector's capabilities in development speed and performance.
The following is a concise guide to what you need to know about this game-changing technology and the reasons behind ARM's strategic move
ARM is a British technology company known for designing and licensing microprocessor technology and architectures widely used in digital electronic devices. ARM widely known for its energy-efficient processor designs, and technology that is integral to a vast array of products, from smartphones and tablets to embedded IoT devices and automotive systems.
Unlike traditional semiconductor companies that manufacture chips, ARM develops the intellectual property for ARM-based chips, which are then licensed to manufacturers and partners.
ARM's chip architecture is widely recognized as the standard in the industry (eg, its architecture is used in over 90% of smartphone chips worldwide).
ARM's just introduced Automotive Enhanced (AE) processors, which use the advanced Armv9 architecture and server-class performance to the automotive industry for the first time.
This suite of processors is designed to address the increasing complexity of vehicle electronics, propelled by the surge in autonomy, advanced user experiences, and the shift towards electrification & software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The new chips are:
There are two main reasons for ARM joining the shift into Automotive:
Traditionally, automotive chip development cycles are linear, starting with getting processor IP delivered, then developing the silicon, and finally, when the hardware becomes available, starting the software development.
However, with this chip, ARM allows automakers to start software development through a virtual prototyping environment immediately. This significantly cuts down the cycle time to get the first vehicles to the market with the chip integrated since the software can be developed in parallel with the hardware.
Major automakers have already begun competing for the best software talent to develop for ARM’s AE processors.
Engineers with expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and real-time processing are highly sought after to leverage the processors' capabilities for autonomous driving and ADAS systems. Additionally, skills in cybersecurity and virtualization are critical due to the enhanced security and virtualization features of the Armv9 architecture.
Software developers with experience in embedded systems and automotive software standards will also play an essential role in integrating these chips into next-generation vehicles.
ARM's latest advancements are not just about enhancing the capabilities of autonomous vehicles. They represent a fundamental shift in how the automotive industry approaches development. By reducing development time and costs while providing unparalleled flexibility and performance, ARM is setting a new standard for automotive innovation.
The stage is set for an exciting era of even faster development of SDVs.
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