Sony wants to put AI chips in Raspberry Pi computers

Sony’s semiconductor division (SSS) announced Wednesday (12) that it has made a “strategic investment” in the Raspberry Pi Foundation to expand AI technology used in sensors and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. idea It provides users of the well-known miniature computer with an edge detection platform through the Aitrios chip.

The Japanese giant’s chip offers image detection functions such as facial recognition, in addition to integrating an AI model into an application development environment, marketplace and cloud-based services.

According to Terushi Shimizu, President and CEO of FAQ, the longstanding partnership with the UK company, “Unique development experience” for Raspberry Pi usersequipping their devices with “state-of-the-art artificial intelligence”.

How will the Aitrios chip work on the Raspberry Pi?

Designed as a platform for teaching robotics and coding, the Raspberry Pi 4 – the latest version of the miniPC – offers users a computing experience at a very low cost (around R$150). Also, the device is a useful tool for programmers to build IoT prototypes.

This utility is now expandable with the addition of Sony’s Aitrios. This is because instead of artificial intelligence in the cloud, the technology runs directly on the chip (called edge computing), which reduces latency. This could represent major advances in areas such as surveillance and security.

Dedicated to three AI sensors, the Aitrios platform website mentions several examples of practical application of the technology, such as tracking and keeping stocks, counting customers, recognizing license plates, and “detailed employee analysis”. Sony assures that People’s privacy is protected because it only sends metadata to the cloud.