Renesas Electronics announced on its official website on the 9th that it has acquired Reality Analytics, Inc. (Reality AI), a provider of embedded AI solutions. According to the agreement, Renesas Electronics will conduct all cash transactions. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is expected to close by the end of 2022, subject to shareholder and required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

It is understood that although Renesas has its own MCU for machine control, it purchases AI-related application software from external partners. With this acquisition, Renesas Electronics' strength in endpoint AI will be significantly enhanced, providing system developers with greater flexibility and efficiency to prepare their products for AIoT (Artificial Intelligence for the Internet of Things) and go to market faster .

According to reports, Reality AI, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, USA, provides a wide range of embedded AI and tiny machine learning (TinyML) solutions for advanced non-visual sensing in automotive, industrial and consumer products. They provide advanced signal processing algorithms for machine learning and provide fast and efficient machine learning inference for the smallest MCUs. After acquiring Reality AI, which is good at analyzing sensor data other than sound and vision, Renesas will combine its own MCU products and provide it to industries that can promote AI applications, as well as automotive applications.

In addition to expanding embedded AI technology, key IP, software and tools, Renesas will leverage Reality AI's existing expertise to establish an AIoT Center of Excellence in Maryland. According to the announcement, the move will expand Renesas' global software development talent base and take the lead in addressing the needs of customers looking to leverage artificial intelligence.

"The importance and demand for endpoint data is growing at an unprecedented scale," said Hideri Shibata, President and CEO of Renesas Electronics. "The acquisition of AI technology is an important milestone in meeting customers' emerging needs for endpoint intelligence. Bringing Reality AI's AI solutions to Adding to our existing embedded AI product lineup will further strengthen our position as a premier AIoT solutions provider."

Stuart Feffer, CEO of Reality AI, said: "Customers are increasingly demanding highly customized solutions, including embedded machine learning, signal processing, high-performance processors, and assistance in hardware integration and solution development. We already have a foundation of cooperation with Renesas. , looking forward to providing customers with more complete solutions – especially in the industrial IoT, consumer electronics and automotive sectors, where the use of machine learning is growing rapidly.”