Intel Acquires Automotive Chip Company to Enhance AI Capabilities in Software-Defined Vehicles

Intel has acquired Silicon Mobility SAS, a fabless automotive silicon and software company focused on designing and deploying energy management systems on chips (SoCs) for electric vehicles (EVs). This acquisition, subject to necessary approvals, enhances Intel's capabilities in intelligent power management within vehicles.

Silicon Mobility's SoCs feature cutting-edge accelerators tailored for energy efficiency, working alongside advanced software algorithms to significantly improve vehicle energy usage. Intel's expansion into the automotive sector aims to integrate artificial intelligence into software-defined vehicles (SDVs), moving beyond traditional high-performance computing.

At CES 2024, Intel unveiled its first-generation SDV SoC, designed to integrate AI experiences into the next generation of vehicles. The new chips give car developers the flexibility to customize processing capabilities according to their needs. Jack Weast, Intel's Vice President and General Manager of Automotive, stated, "Today marks a significant milestone in our mission to embed AI in every facet of our lives," highlighting Intel's commitment to transforming automotive technology.

Intel’s SoCs allow customers to choose specific chiplets, adaptable segments of a chip, to tailor their designs based on unique requirements. As Weast noted, sustainability is a key focus, especially given that batteries represent the heaviest and most expensive part of a vehicle. Intel aims to provide scalable and energy-efficient solutions that address these challenges.

The SDV SoCs promise to deliver the performance and scalability that automakers need, incorporating AI acceleration from Intel’s existing roadmap for PCs. Zeekr, an electric vehicle manufacturer, has already partnered with Intel to integrate its new SDV SoCs into upcoming models, enhancing the in-car experience with forward-compatible Intel systems.

In collaboration with SAE International, Intel announced a new standard for EV platform power management, leveraging its extensive expertise in energy management to promote a sustainable all-electric future and assist OEMs in scaling their vehicle portfolios.

Intel is also pioneering an open automotive chiplet platform to move away from the industry's conventional monolithic solutions. Partnering with Imec, Intel aims to advance chiplet packaging technologies, ensuring reliability while allowing automakers to integrate their custom chiplets into Intel’s automotive roadmap.

The presentation at CES also demonstrated Intel’s AI capabilities through advanced workloads, including generative AI, video conferencing, and gaming, showcasing how automakers can optimize their electronic control unit (ECU) architectures for better efficiency and scalability.

While Intel acknowledges its late entry into the connected car market, it believes its open, hybrid AI-enabled automotive chiplet platform will drive efficiency and sustainability in a rapidly evolving industry. With a focus on standardization, Intel aims to create a more sustainable, energy-efficient EV ecosystem.

Intel's advancements in Vehicle Platform Power Management, through collaboration with SAE's standards committee, reflect a commitment to promoting open standards and a more efficient global EV supply chain. Furthermore, as automakers accelerate their development cycles, Intel's approach fosters adaptability and competitiveness in this changing landscape.

The first-generation AI software-defined vehicle system is expected to be commercially available by the end of 2024, with Zeekr as the inaugural customer.