German embedded computing specialist Kontron is partnering Israeli AI chip maker Hailo to offer next generation AI edge inference solutions. The collaboration is designed to offer customers a new level of high-performance, scalable AI-edge application-ready platforms for a range of market segments including Industry 4.0 and other industrial applications.

The Hailo-8 AI processor enables edge devices to run at performance levels comparable to cloud platforms, with 26 tera-operations per second (TOPS) at a typical power consumption of less than 2.5 watts.

Kontron’s pITX-iMX8M-AI-H8 Arm-based 2.5″ SBC and the KBox A-150-WKL-AI-H8 x86-based featuring a range of Intel Core i processors e.g. 8365UE (formerly Whiskey Lake) for X86-based applications are compact, energy-efficient, fanless edge compute platforms that integrate the Hailo-8 AI-accelerator.

Along with preinstalled drivers and BSP, the complete software toolchain is available under Hailo’s developer zone website. Hailo’s developer zone includes pre-trained neural networks (“model zoo”), a bit–accurate simulator and performance tool,  the Hailo dataflow compiler, and the Hailo “TAPPAS” application toolkit.

“Our AI strategy at Kontron is to provide scalable, best-in-class IoT/IIoT solutions for a host of different applications and markets. Our strategic technology partnership with Hailo enables us to offer our customers a new level of AI-edge application-ready platforms. The partnership also includes the joint creation of new AI-ready board level products and custom solutions on a project basis,” said Christoph Neumann, VP Technology of the Kontron group. “In addition, we offer extensive AI project services, including software application consulting and integration, as well as the training of neural networks via our own data scientists.”

“More and more enterprises require edge AI solutions that ensure their devices are more powerful, versatile, responsive and secure in order to keep up with the growing demand for technological innovation across industries,” said Liran Bar, VP Business Development of Hailo. “Our partnership with Kontron, an undisputed global leader in its field, bolsters our ability to address the growing demand for high-performance and scalable AI-edge application-ready platforms for a range of applications – from inspection systems to robotics to semi-autonomous driving and beyond. Our work with Kontron is taking us one step closer towards ushering in a new era of AI solutions at the edge.”