Chinese chipmaker Hygon to unveil robotics AI chip

Chinese AI chipmaker Hygon Information Technology plans to expand its product offerings beyond data centres into the realm of robotics and other physical applications, according to Chinese media reports and company information. The company will introduce a new chip, part of its CPU1000 series, on Tuesday at a launch event in Shenzhen.

This new chip is designed to address low-power, embedded, and edge computing needs, targeting a range of physical AI applications in sectors such as robotics, machine vision, and intelligent manufacturing, as reported by Jiemian News and China Securities Journal. Hygon emphasizes that the launch event theme, "Let computing power reach the physical world", reflects the shift in computing demand from centralized data centres to the edge of networks at physical industry sites.

Unlike chips for data centres, which focus on high computational output, the new chip for robotics and edge applications must prioritize real-time processing, limited power consumption, and robust security in challenging environments. Hygon, a Shanghai-listed company specializing in central processing units (CPUs) and deep computing units, plays a significant role in Beijing's semiconductor self-sufficiency efforts.

Its product lines include the 7000 series for high-performance data centres, the 5000 series for cloud and edge computing clients, and the 3000 series, known for cost efficiency. The company is one of China's leading developers of x86-compatible CPUs, which are foundational to most server, desktop, and laptop computers. Hygon's first-half revenue grew 66.5 percent year-over-year to 9.1 billion yuan, driven by robust demand for high-end domestic chips.