CES 2024: Intel Expands Automotive AI with Silicon Mobility Acquisition

At CES, Intel announced plans to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) strategy into the automotive sector. It includes acquiring Silicon Mobility, an electric vehicle (EV) energy management system-on-chips (SoCs) provider.

Silicon Mobility's technology will extend Intel's automotive reach beyond high-performance computing and into intelligent power management. The SoCs feature industry-leading accelerators and software optimized for EV energy efficiency.

Intel also unveiled a new family of AI-enhanced software-defined vehicle (SDV) SoCs. Geely's Zeekr brand will use the SoCs to power generative AI voice assistants and other advanced in-vehicle experiences customers demand.

A demo showed the SoCs running 12 workloads concurrently across operating systems, consolidating legacy electronic control units for improved manageability.

Intel will chair a new SAE International committee to support the EV transition to develop an automotive standard for vehicle power management inspired by proven PC techniques.

Intel plans to work with IMEC to ensure its advanced chipset packaging meets automotive reliability needs. This commitment to third-party chipset integration gives OEMs more freedom and reduces costs compared to custom SoCs.

“Intel is taking a ‘whole vehicle’ approach to solving the industry’s biggest challenges. Driving innovative AI solutions across the vehicle platform will help the industry navigate the transformation to EVs,” said Jack Weast, vice president and general manager of Intel Automotive. “The acquisition of Silicon Mobility aligns with our sustainability goals while addressing a critical energy management need for the industry.”