Nordic Semiconductor has entered into a deal to acquire the intellectual property (IP) portfolio of US-based artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI and ML) company Atlazo. The acquisition is a tactical move to provide the Norwegian firm with an in-house AI/ML capability, to further develop miniaturized edge-processing ML (tinyML) capabilities within its low-power IoT portfolio.
The transaction, for an undisclosed fee, is subject to regulatory approval; it covers Atlazo’s core team of eight engineers. It also covers front-end sensor technology for health applications, and edge technology to optimise low-power energy usage, allowing for on-device computing at the “lowest possible energy point for a given task”. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year. Atlazo is based in San Diego.
A statement said: “The increasing importance of edge devices has led to a larger demand for more computing power, advanced services, and intelligence at the network edge. To meet these demands, Nordic intends to leverage Atlazo’s hyper-low-power AI/ML processor technology in future system-on-chips, enhancing the company’s market offerings across many of the market verticals Nordic operates in and across the company’s technology offering.”
Svenn-Tore Larsen, chief executive at Nordic Semiconductor, said: “While this is a small bolt-on acquisition for Nordic, we consider it to be strategically significant. Adding this group of highly experienced engineers and their IP is an excellent fit… This integration will accelerate our progress towards ultra low-power AI/ML, and anticipate that we will begin to see the initial benefits of this acquisition within 12-18 months of closing the transaction.”
Kjetil Holstad, executive vice president of strategy and product management at Nordic Semiconductor, said: “This brings a new level of always-on AI/ML capabilities and technologies that will strengthen our core business and continue to expand our market opportunity in line with our growth strategy.”
Nordic Semiconductor expects Altazo’s sensor tech to help its drive in the healthcare market, in particular, where it is supplying chips for wearables and diagnostic equipment, including for heart monitoring and glucose monitoring. Atlazo’s headquarters in San Diego will become Nordic Semiconductor’s third R&D site in the US. Nordic earlier this year completed the acquisition of Mobile Semiconductor in Seattle. It also has an office in Portland, Oregon.
