The world's second-largest automotive parts supplier DENSO Corporation and AI chip startup Quadric have signed a licensing agreement to co-develop a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), a specialized semiconductor designed for AI arithmetic processing in automotive systems. Under this agreement, DENSO will obtain the IP core license for Quadric’s Chimera General Purpose Neural Processing Unit (GPNPU), which will be integrated with DENSO's RISC-V-based processor to create a new in-vehicle semiconductor.

As vehicles become increasingly connected and autonomous, they require the ability to rapidly process vast amounts of data from sensors, vehicle-to-vehicle, and cloud communications in real-time. This puts an emphasis on the performance of in-vehicle System-on-Chip (SoC) units that must manage high-speed, efficient data processing. The combined NPU will support these needs by enabling diverse AI functionalities while also meeting stringent automotive safety standards.

DENSO’s RISC-V-based processor, which meets ISO26262 ASIL D standards for critical automotive applications, will be paired with Quadric’s Chimera GPNPU. The Chimera GPNPU architecture is uniquely capable of handling both complex AI matrix/vector tasks and scalar control code within a single execution pipeline, providing automotive developers with flexibility in adding advanced AI-driven features to vehicles.

The collaboration aims to produce an adaptive in-vehicle SoC that can evolve with AI advancements, allowing for flexible integration of new AI functions from initial development through the product lifecycle. DENSO and Quadric envision this joint innovation will enhance the secure development of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD) products, aligning with the increasing demands of the mobility sector for safe, intelligent vehicles.

DENSO Mobility Electronics Business Group Head Hiroshi Kondo expressed optimism about the collaboration, emphasizing its potential to advance semiconductor technology crucial for vehicle intelligence and connectivity. Quadric CEO Veerbhan Kheterpal stated that the partnership with DENSO validates the strength of Quadric’s GPNPU processors and their capability to support the complex demands of the automotive sector.