SenseTime and Qualcomm Collaborate For On-Device AI

Hong Kong-based artificial intelligence (AI) firm, SenseTime Group and Qualcomm have announced plans to develop artificial intelligence and machine learning features (ML) for future mobile and internet of things (IoT) products. The partnership will involve leveraging SenseTime’s ML models and algorithms with Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ premium and high-tier platforms, which offer advanced heterogeneous computing capabilities for client based AI. The developments will be focused mostly on vision and camera-based image processing. Smartphone and connected cameras are becoming more intelligent with the use of AI. They offer a significant number of advantages over cloud-only implementations, enabling edge devices to provide reliable execution with or without a network connection. Additionally, integration of AI offers real-time performance, privacy protection, and enhanced reliability. “To develop an AI ecosystem, it takes efforts from players in multiple industries,” said Dr. Li Xu, co-founder, and CEO, SenseTime. “This strategic collaboration will advance on-device intelligence by leveraging our algorithm and Qualcomm Technologies’ chipset. Together we’ll push the envelope and extend AI to places that are currently beyond reach. Our strategic collaboration will become a turning point for the whole AI ecosystem.” “Qualcomm has been conducting fundamental research in AI over a decade,” added Keith Kressin, senior vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “In fact, many devices shipping today using our Snapdragon mobile platforms already utilize on-device AI.” Qualcomm is currently focused on optimizing its Snapdragon mobile platform to accelerate AI use cases in the areas of computer vision and natural language processing — for smartphones, IoT and automotive. The company is also researching in the areas of wireless connectivity, power management, and photography. On the other hand, SenseTime has built a proprietary deep learning platform called Parrots. The company’s leading technology in deep learning will help to innovate and develop a variety of algorithms with low cost and quick turn-around. The collaboration is expected to improve the speed and efficiency of mobile and IoT products by combining algorithm and chipset, making AI technology more pervasive. The first public demonstration of the products will be showcased in Qualcomm Technologies’ meeting rooms during China Public Security Expo in Shenzhen from October 29 to November 1, 2017.