Synaptics and Google Forge Partnership to Boost Edge AI in IoT Devices
Published on 1/6/2025 | 3 min read
Published on 1/6/2025 | 3 min read
The collaboration between Google and Synaptics focuses on multimodal processing technology, enabling IoT devices to interpret and respond to various types of input. This technology allows devices to interact naturally with users through voice commands, visual cues, and sound, revolutionizing applications like wearable tech, home appliances, and entertainment systems.
Vikram Gupta, Senior Vice President and General Manager of IoT Processors at Synaptics, highlighted the transformative potential of this collaboration:
We are on the verge of a transformative era in Edge AI devices, where advancements in hardware and software are combining to create context-aware computing experiences.
Gupta emphasized the importance of leveraging open frameworks to disrupt the Edge IoT space, marking this partnership as a key step in redefining user-device interactions.
The collaboration comes as Edge AI technology gains momentum, with increasing demand for smarter, more responsive devices. Synaptics’ expertise in low-power AI hardware combined with Google’s machine learning capabilities positions the partnership as a competitive force in the IoT market.
The Astra platform is central to this collaboration, integrating low-power silicon with open-source software to streamline AI development. Astra simplifies the creation of innovative, high-performance products by unifying hardware and software elements into a cohesive platform.
The integration of Google’s machine learning core with Astra boosts efficiency, offering compatibility with a broad range of systems. This alignment provides developers with tools to build sophisticated Edge AI solutions, enabling real-time data processing and fostering innovation in intelligent IoT devices.
Billy Rutledge, Director of Systems Research at Google, commented on the synergy between the two companies:
Synaptics’ embrace of open software tools and proven AI hardware makes the Astra platform a natural fit for our ML core.
This partnership addresses the growing demand for versatile and efficient systems in the evolving IoT landscape. By leveraging open frameworks, Synaptics and Google aim to drive advancements in Edge AI devices and reshape the future of AI-powered IoT solutions.
The integration of machine learning and Edge AI is expected to impact several industries:
By combining Synaptics’ hardware with Google’s ML capabilities, the partnership bridges the gap between AI research and practical IoT applications, fostering faster, more accurate decision-making across industries.
Despite the potential, challenges remain:
Looking ahead, Synaptics and Google are refining their collaboration to meet the growing needs of the Edge IoT market. The development of intelligent devices capable of real-time decision-making based on various sensory inputs will unlock new possibilities in how users interact with technology.
As AI continues to advance, this partnership will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of IoT devices, driving innovation and setting the stage for smarter, more capable systems.