As innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly develops, Kneron, a full-stack edge AI company, leads the industry, driving the next wave of technological advancement. 

Launching its next-generation products, Kneron aims to maximize businesses’ growing interest in AI and offer an alternative to giants like Nvidia and AMD. By unveiling a cost-saving, data privatization, and energy-efficient alternative to today’s leading graphic processing units (GPUs) for generative pre-trained transformer (GPT) solutions at scale, Kneron looks forward to outperforming today’s tech giants. 

The Evolution of AI Hardware

A Deep Dive in AI

The convergence of data and AI is reinventing businesses across industries. As computing power rapidly advances, the hardware needed to support these innovations evolves, too. 

Central processing units (CPUs) have long been the backbone of general computing tasks. Intel, a leader in the CPU market, has continuously improved processing power and efficiency, making CPUs integral to various computing needs, from personal computers to large-scale servers.

From GPUs to NPUs

Graphics processing units (GPUs), initially designed for rendering graphics in gaming, have found a new role. Although they have long been used in gaming, thanks to Nvidia, the public started using them for general computing in the 2000s. 

However, as AI applications have become more advanced and widespread, there has been a growing need for specialized processors that can handle AI tasks more efficiently than GPUs. This is where neural processing units (NPUs) come in.

NPUs are designed specifically for AI and work with other processors to speed up generative AI experiences. They are energy-efficient, suitable for long-term use, and ideal for continuous AI computational tasks, such as image generation and face recognition.

The Advantages of NPUs

NPUs surpass GPUs in several critical areas for AI:

• Efficiency: NPUs are optimized for the specific needs of AI workloads, making them more energy-efficient than GPUs. This efficiency is crucial for devices that must operate continuously, such as smart cameras and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

• Performance: NPUs can perform AI computations faster than GPUs for specific tasks, as they are designed specifically for the algorithms and processes used in AI.

• Integration: NPUs can be integrated directly into edge devices, allowing local AI processing. This reduces the need for data to be sent to the cloud, enhancing speed and security.

Meet Kneron and Its CEO, Albert Liu

Kneron was the first company to commercialize NPUs in 2017 and has since made strides in this field, optimizing them for edge AI applications. Established in 2015, Kneron is a leading provider of full-stack edge AI solutions based in San Diego. Its mission is to democratize AI by providing robust, energy-efficient AI solutions that can be integrated into various devices. 

Behind Kneron’s remarkable growth is the mind of its founder and CEO, Albert Liu. Albert has a robust background in AI, holding both R&D and management positions at Qualcomm and Samsung Electronics R&D Center before establishing Kneron in 2015. 

Albert’s expertise is widely recognized. He has over 30 international patents in AI computer vision and image processing and 70+ papers published in major international journals. He has also received prestigious awards, including the IEEE Darlington Award and IEEE CTSoc Awards in 2022.

What Sets Kneron Apart

Reduced Power Consumption

One of Kneron’s key differentiators is its low power consumption. This is important because many AI devices must run continuously without using too much energy. Kneron’s new Edge GPT AI chip, KL830, is a perfect example. 

KL830 is designed to bring AI processing directly to the devices where data is generated, such as AI PCs, a USB dongle, and the Edge server. This reduces the amount of data that needs to be sent to and processed in the cloud. When paired with a leading GPU, its NPU can decrease energy consumption by 30%. This local processing, edge AI, offers several benefits: faster processing, lower costs, and enhanced privacy.

Additionally, the KL830’s peak power consumption is only a paltry 2 watts, which is incredibly low. Even with that low power consumption level, the company claims the KL830 provides consolidated calculation power (CCP) of up to 10eTOPS@8bit. This low power consumption translates to longer battery life for portable devices and lower electricity costs for always-on applications, such as smart home devices and security systems. 

Enables Cost Savings

Kneron’s technology reduces power consumption and costs, as evidenced by its KNEO 330. Backed by U.S. chip giant Qualcomm and iPhone assembler Foxconn, Kneron’s KNEO 330 is its second-generation “edge GPT” server. GPT, or generative pre-trained transformer, refers to AI algorithms trained on vast amounts of data that can produce text and images. One example is OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

KNEO 330 offers powerful AI capabilities with a significant cost reduction. It provides up to 48 trillion operations per second (TOPs) of AI computing power and supports up to 8 concurrent connections, making it suitable for small enterprises looking for robust AI solutions. Additionally, it supports large language models (LLMs) and stable diffusion with an accuracy that rivals cloud-based solutions. By handling AI processing locally, KNEO 330 delivers a 30-40% cost reduction for small enterprises, making it cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Kneron Taking Its Place in the Industry

With its new products, Kneron addresses today’s industry issues like speed, cost, and data privacy. By prioritizing these critical aspects, Kneron ensures that its solutions are not only technologically advanced but also practical and secure for real-world applications. This strategic focus enables the company to cater to a broad range of industries, from smart home devices to autonomous vehicles, further solidifying its position as a key player in the AI market.

With this robust foundation, Kneron is poised to make a significant mark in the AI industry and experience continued success and growth. Its commitment to innovation and addressing market needs makes it an attractive prospect for investors who seek to be part of the future of AI technology. As Kneron invests in developing products powered by AI’s limitless potential, it stands to benefit from increased market share and influence, ultimately contributing to the advancement of AI technology on a global scale.

Published by: Holy Minoza