BRN Discussion Ongoing

[Deleted member 118]

 

[IloveLamp]

Thanks for your considered post Pope. I would absolutely love to see us in BMW and Merc together - what a coup that would be. We partner with Prophesee but they and BMW state a partnership with SynSense only for their neuromorphic smart cockpits. There is no mention of Brainchip. Why would we be under an NDA and not SynSense (makes NoSense). Astonishingly this opinion is considered 'ignorant' by some but perhaps the dog ate their homework instead. Keep up the good work Pope, I enjoy your balanced contributions here

Oh would you look at that.....dot dot dot

 

[Mt09]

Oh would you look at that.....dot dot dot View attachment 35297

Ah yep that confirms, 100% in BMW…..

 

[IloveLamp]

Ah yep that confirms, 100% in BMW…..

 

[Pmel]

Oh would you look at that.....dot dot dot View attachment 35297

Any names mentioned from Brainchip?

 

[Foxdog]

Any names mentioned from Brainchip?

Yeah I concede - read the fine print. It clearly says AKIDA being incorporated in all BMW vehicles in lieu of SynSense. Rob Telson likes it too which means commercialization is imminent (but shrouded in NDA's). Just like all of his other 'likes' can be traced directly to revenue producing contracts, oh wait.....what?

 

[Labsy]

That is also my hope.

As I said before, the recent flurry of ARM announcements (Akida compatibility with all ARM processors, ARM "more advanced" chip manufacture (IFS?), and the fact that SiFive (an up-and-coming competitor of ARM) and Akida are cozy, leads me to hope that the ARM/BrainChip presentation will be that the new ARM chip will incorporate Akida as its AI block.

Some supporting reasons:

1. ARM presently has an in-house AI block called Helium available with its processor IP. Helium is light weight AI compared to Akida, so replacing Helium with Akida would make the ARM chip "more advanced";

2. Sifive and Akida are a good fit and would give SiFive an advantage over present ARM processors, and ARM will need to swallow any "not-invented-here" attitude they may have if they are to attempt to keep up with SiFive's more efficient RISC-V architecture;

3. BrainChip has joined the ARM partnership group;

4. BrainChip and ARM have both joined the Intel Foundry Services (IFS) fellowship;

5. Why would ARM be doing a presentation for a company they barely know?

Of course, the counter-argument is that, since RISC-V is open-source, ARM is bringing out its own RISC-V processor, which would qualify as "more advanced".

Then again, an ARM RISC -V processor could be mated with Akida. That would be very advanced.

Yes!!!! Dio you are a beakon of light in the darkness cast over us....Thankyou for your priceless input.

 

[TheDrooben]

This 4C is a joke!!!!!!! But a very bad one!

I cannot vote from Germany but don't you all dare and vote YES to the bonus of Sean and others!!! I will then step into a plane and come over to TALK to you all in person!!! The management DOES NOT DESERVE THEIR SALARY AND THEREFORE ALSO NOT A BONUS!!!!

I am so upset, angry, and pissed that I wasted my time and money with this company. I lost a lot of money on this so selling does not make sense at all. All I can do is wait and hope that BrainChip with its AKIDA technology will be bought by a big company. This could bring us a few stocks of a GOOD and SUCCESSFUL investment.

In my view, it is time for Sean Hehir to step down, and to be replaced. All those cute interviews were just words for money.

By the way, how much cash do they have left before they are bankrupt?

 

[Foxdog]

Old but new or is it new but old.

BrainChip, Blue Ridge Envisioneering work on tactical edge devices

BrainChip has partnered with engineering team Blue Ridge Envisioneering to build tactical edge devices for military use cases.

www.edgecomputing-news.com

I wonder who these guys actually have contracts with. Their website doesn't elaborate although that could definitely be due to the sensitive nature of defence and intelligence contracts. They're only a small company but it appears they have some traction based on the company blurb.

This is the sort of collaboration that gives me hope - defence/national security contracts can be massive and enduring.

 

[Fullmoonfever]

I see ARM pushing the M85 for computer vision and ML with MCUs.

Obviously including their Helium and NPU but nice we can also now dovetail with it

Unlocking computer vision and machine learning on highly efficient MCU platforms | Imaging and Machine Vision Europe

Stephen Su shares how Arm’s Cortex-M85 processor and software ecosystem can be leveraged to overcome the constraints of microcontroller unit platforms

www.imveurope.com

Unlocking computer vision and machine learning on highly efficient MCU platforms​

16 March 2023

Technology

Stephen Su shares how Arm’s Cortex-M85 processor and software ecosystem can be leveraged to overcome the constraints of microcontroller unit platforms

Computer vision (CV) has been widely adopted in many Internet of Things (IoT) devices across various use cases, ranging from smart cameras and smart home appliances to smart retail, industrial applications, access control and smart doorbells. As these devices are constrained by size and are often battery powered, they need to wield highly efficient compute platforms.

One such platform is the MCU (microcontroller unit), which has low-power and low-cost characteristics, alongside CV and machine learning (ML) compute capabilities.

However, running CV on the MCU will undoubtedly increase its design complexity due to the hardware and software resource constraints of the platform.

Therefore, IoT developers need to determine how to achieve the required performance, while keeping power consumption low. In addition, they need to integrate the image signal processor (ISP) into the MCU platform, while balancing the ISP configuration and image quality.

One processor that fulfills these requirements is Arm’s Cortex-M85, which is Arm’s most powerful Cortex-M CPU to date. With vector extension of SIMD (single instruction, multiple data) 128-bit vector processing, Cortex-M85 accelerates CV alongside the overall MCU performance. For IoT developers, they can leverage Arm’s software ecosystem, ML embedded evaluation kit and guidance on how to integrate the ISP with the MCU in order to unlock CV and ML easily and quickly on the highly-efficient MCU platform.

Arm brings advanced computing to MCUs​

As a first step, being able to run CV compute workloads requires improved performance on the MCU. Focusing on the CPU architecture, there are several ways to enhance the MCU’s performance, including superscalar, VLIW (very long instruction word), and SIMD. For the Cortex-M85, Arm chose to adopt SIMD – which is a single instruction set that can operate multiple data – as it’s the best option for balancing performance and power consumption.

Figure 1: The comparison between VLIW and SIMD

Arm’s Helium technology, which is the M-Profile Vector Extension (MVE) for the Cortex-M processor series, brings vector processing to the MCU. Helium is an extension in the Armv8.1-M architecture to significantly enhance performance for CV and ML applications on small, low-power IoT devices. It also utilises the largest software ecosystem available to IoT developers, including optimised sample code and neural networks.

Software ecosystem on MCUs to facilitate CV and ML​

Supporting the Cortex-M CPUs, Arm has published various materials to make it easier to start running CV and ML. This includes the Arm ML embedded evaluation kit.

The evaluation kit provides ready-to-use ML applications for the embedded stack. As a result, IoT developers can experiment with the already-developed software use cases and then create their own applications. The example applications with ML networks are listed in the table below.

The Arm ML embedded evaluation kit

Integrating the ISP on the MCU​

The ISP is an essential technology to unlock CV, as the image stream is the input source. However, there are certain points that we must consider when integrating ISP on the MCU platform.
For IoT edge devices, there will be a smaller image sensor resolution (<1-2MP; 15-30fps) and even lower frame rate. Also the image signal processing is not always active. Therefore, using a higher quality scaler within the ISP will drop the resolution to sub-VGA, which is 640 x 480, to, for example, minimise the data ingress to the NPU. This means that the ISP only uses the full resolution when needed.
ISP configurations can also affect power, area, and efficiency. Therefore, it is worth asking the following questions to save power and area.

• Whether it’s for human vision, computer vision, or both?
• What is the required memory bandwidth?
• How many ISP output channels will be needed?

An MCU platform is usually resource-constraint with limited memory size. Integrating with an ISP requires the MCU to run the ISP driver, including the ISP’s code, data, and control LUT (loop up table). Therefore, once the ISP configuration has been decided, developers need to tailor the driver firmware accordingly, removing unused code and data to accommodate the memory limitation on the MCU platform.

Figure 2: An example of concise ISP configuration

Another consideration when integrating the ISP with the MCU is lowering the frame rate and resolution In many cases, it would be best to consider the convergence speed of the ‘3As’ – auto-exposure, auto-white balance and auto-focus. This will likely require a minimum of five to ten frames before settling. If the frame rate is too slow, it might be problematic for your use case. For example, this could mean a two to five second delay before a meaningful output can be captured and, given the short power-on window, there is a risk of missing critical events. Moreover, if the clock frequency of the image sensor is dropped too low, it is likely to introduce nasty rolling shutter artifacts.

Summary​

Enabling CV and ML on MCU platforms is part of the next wave of the IoT evolution. However, the constraints of the MCU platform can increase the design complexity and difficulty. Enabling vector processing on the MCU through the Cortex-M85 and leveraging Arm’s software ecosystem can provide enough computing and reduce this design complexity. In addition, integrating a concise ISP is a sensible solution for IoT devices to speed up and unlock CV and ML tasks on low-power, highly efficient MCU platforms.

Embedded vision
Computer vision
Artificial intelligence

​

 

[Fullmoonfever]

I wonder who these guys actually have contracts with. Their website doesn't elaborate although that could definitely be due to the sensitive nature of defence and intelligence contracts. They're only a small company but it appears they have some traction based on the company blurb.

This is the sort of collaboration that gives me hope - defence/national security contracts can be massive and enduring.

This post may give you a start.

BRN Discussion Ongoing

Re the Edge Impulse and Brainchip webinar, two of the slides presented show some clients, some of whom I consider new. Why would these clients be shown if they aren't ours? I assume that slide belongs to edge impulse and not BRN.

thestockexchange.com.au

 

[Kachoo]

Oh would you look at that.....dot dot dot View attachment 35297

It's interesting that we mention Rob Telson.

Now it's quite possible that NDA vary some may have even been written as to disallow the 2 names of the companies be mentioned in a post on social media. Some may not have that clause depends who wrote the agreement.

Why I speculate thia is in a previous post Edge Impulse included Brainchip in the post and this time there is no comment of BRN.

Then again this post is about customers so I could be wrong. It's a small room so for certain we could say the audience is limited but they know who Rob is lol.

That said there is no proof they are working until either an announcement or money flows.

Its good to see them all collaborating in the room.

 

[Foxdog]

This post may give you a start.

BRN Discussion Ongoing

Re the Edge Impulse and Brainchip webinar, two of the slides presented show some clients, some of whom I consider new. Why would these clients be shown if they aren't ours? I assume that slide belongs to edge impulse and not BRN.

thestockexchange.com.au

Woah, awesome. That's pretty extensive involvement. Interesting to see representatives from Australian Defence involved too. Thanks for that FMF

 

[Bravo]

Thanks for your considered post Pope. I would absolutely love to see us in BMW and Merc together - what a coup that would be. We partner with Prophesee but they and BMW state a partnership with SynSense only for their neuromorphic smart cockpits. There is no mention of Brainchip. Why would we be under an NDA and not SynSense (makes NoSense). Astonishingly this opinion is considered 'ignorant' by some but perhaps the dog ate their homework instead. Keep up the good work Pope, I enjoy your balanced contributions here

Well actually, Synsense have two neuromorphic chips; "Speck" is a vision processor and "Xylo" is an audio processor.

Unless I'm wrong, previous articles have only ever referred to BMW using Speck for vision processing functions.

I believe the "Xylo" chip is NOT mentioned anywhere in relation to BMW.

This might have something to do with the AKIDA technology from BrainChip which made the “Hey, Mercedes” voice control system in the Mercedes EQXX five to ten times more efficient than conventional voice control.

It's highly likely IMO that BMW are not intending on using "Xylo" because it doesn't pack as much grunt as AKIDA has proven it's capable of delivering.

 

[The Pope]

Thanks for your considered post Pope. I would absolutely love to see us in BMW and Merc together - what a coup that would be. We partner with Prophesee but they and BMW state a partnership with SynSense only for their neuromorphic smart cockpits. There is no mention of Brainchip. Why would we be under an NDA and not SynSense (makes NoSense). Astonishingly this opinion is considered 'ignorant' by some but perhaps the dog ate their homework instead. Keep up the good work Pope, I enjoy your balanced contributions here

Hi Foxdog

I knew our posts linked to BMW may start a Jack in the box responses by some. All good. Lol

For all posters (including myself) joining in again this morning. Yeah reading back through 10 pages via the search function may not be what you want to find that special BMW post by others that you (including myself) are looking for but should keep number of posts down per day.
This should assist all posters with previous dot joining, thoughts, speculations on how there may be a connection between BRN and BMW through Edge Inpulse, Valeo etc etc before posting any more than that may be the best approach for all and save a lot of time for everyone.

In saying that, this approach may be good for all of us with potential other possible links with BRN to any other companies, partnerships etc etc.

Taking the above on board, maybe as a forum we would be back to a page a day of posts (sorry Zeebot). This is due to all the content previously posted by others on so many topics and subjects and potential links to BRN.

Suggestion only and hope you all have a good day.

 

[Deadpool]

Hi @Makeme 2020,

honestly, what kind of reply did you expect to your provocative rhetorical question?

In case you didn’t get the hint - I’d actually say my choice of album and song title was a pretty accurate reflection of how a lot of posters in this forum have been feeling today:
Kind of Blue (ranging from disappointment to disbelief with the 4C), yet a defiant
So What? (conviction that Brainchip’s future remains bright despite the 4C seemingly suggesting lack of interest from potential customers, confidence that revenue will eventually come, alas later than hoped for & let’s cross our fingers for some surprise reveals before/at the AGM)

Trumpet players occasionally use mutes to purposely change their instrument’s timbre (tone colour) or lower its volume. So if their sound is a little muffled at times, it doesn‘t mean they‘ve stopped playing altogether. And once in a while they need to take their instrument down and empty the spit valves - but don‘t worry, it‘s mostly water (condensation of the player’s warm moist breath to be precise) and very little actual spit. Also, playing the trumpet can be quite taxing on your lips and you may therefore find it necessary to take the mouthpiece off your lips from time to time and rest - or possibly a pause is even written in your score.

For what it’s worth. The German word for an instrumental mute is “Dämpfer” - this word can also be used metaphorically in the sense of “putting a damper on something“. So while the mood may have been a little subdued today, you should soon be hearing that familiar brilliant sound of trumpets once again, if you choose not to leave the concert hall early, which would be a shame and waste of money in my eyes. And guess what - you are welcome to join the brass ensemble on stage playing the trombone or even the tuba, if you prefer that kind of sound over that of a trumpet, as long as your bass line contribution is mostly harmonious - some disharmony is fine, though, and in fact at times even desirable and refreshing:

“Despite their differences, consonance and dissonance tend to work well together in music. Like a good story, tonal music needs conflict to generate tension to drive the story. Dissonance creates that tension in the musical story. The conflict can be but is not required to be, resolved with consonance. Essentially, the composer creates a sense of movement in music by creating tension using dissonant sounds and then releases that tension by returning to consonant sounds.“

Dissonance & Consonance in Music | Definition & Examples - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com

Discover what dissonance and consonance are and the role each plays in music. Define dissonance and consonance in music. Learn the importance of...

study.com

Wouldn’t it be gratifying if we all ended up making wonderful music together? After all, aren’t we all in awe of this masterpiece of a composition?

P.S.: Interesting trivia: “Trumpet-like instruments have historically been used as signalling devices in battle or hunting, with examples dating back to at least 1500 BC. They began to be used as musical instruments only in the late 14th or early 15th century.” (Wikipedia)

Doesn’t “Akida Ballista!” sound just like a rousing fanfare?

I guess there is more than just one way to turn lemons into lemonade.

I envisage a day in the not too distant future, that someone of the likes of Andrew Lloyd Webber will bring "Brainchip the musical" to the west end.

 

[Rach2512]

Funny you just raised that part about SiFive / Risc-V.

Was just reading this recent article and below is a snip from it haha

Link to full article bottom of post.

Inside Arm’s vision for the ‘software-defined vehicle’ of the future​

The chip giant is betting big on cars​

April 11, 2023 - 12:33 pm


“One executive I was talking to said: ‘The best negotiating strategy when Arm comes in is to have a RISC-V brochure sitting on my desk’,” Jim Feldhan, the president of semiconductor consultancy Semico Research, said last year. “It’s a threat. Arm is just not going to have its super dominant position in five or 20 years.”

Inside Arm’s vision for the ‘software-defined vehicle’ of the future

As cars become computers, chip giant Arm is making a big bet on the "software-defined vehicle."

thenextweb.com

It’s a threat. Arm is just not going to have its super dominant position in five or 20 years.”

I like this bit, so does that mean BrainChip is going to be part of ARM who are currently in a SUPER DOMINANT position!

Thanks Fullmoonfever

 

[DollazAndSense]

This post may give you a start.

BRN Discussion Ongoing

Re the Edge Impulse and Brainchip webinar, two of the slides presented show some clients, some of whom I consider new. Why would these clients be shown if they aren't ours? I assume that slide belongs to edge impulse and not BRN.

thestockexchange.com.au

I feel like most underappreciate the significance of our relationship with Intellisense Systems as well.
BRE and Intellisense Systems are deeply embedded in Defense.

 

[Frangipani]

Don't forget we also exhibiting with Nandan presenting on the 23rd May at the Embedded Vision Summit.

Guess won't be at the AGM huh.

Enabling Ultra-Low Power Edge Inference and On-Device Learning with Akida

Date: Tuesday, May 23
Start Time: 16:50
End Time: 17:20

Unless Nandan Nayampally possesses the unlikely gift of bilocation, I’d suggest to contact our friends (?!) at Cisco to see whether/how they can help.
Let’s just assume for a moment that they are indeed hidden behind one of the NDAs. Dot, dot, dot…
I am thinking along the lines of a Webex Hologram demonstration as shown in that “Takei on Tech” video @Taproot shared with us the other day. Cisco is promoting their revolutionary tech (see how they’d complement each other?!) as “a real-time, photorealistic holographic interaction that goes beyond video conferencing for a truly immersive experience” on its homepage.
Here you are, in case you missed watching it when it was first posted:



Just imagine that Sydney AGM ballroom full of disgruntled shareholders abruptly going dead silent, when they are told that Nandan Nayampally will shortly be with them “in the room”, even though in actual fact he is physically in California, having dinner the night before his conference presentation (given the time difference of 17 hours). They’d all be left speechless (well except those of you who will also be attending in person and have now been tipped off by me… )
The only problem being, the audience members would all need their own AR headset to enjoy the cutting edge 3D Pacific-bridging experience. Mmmhhh… Maybe all shareholders could enter into an AGM lottery on arrival, and then a dozen or so winners would be drawn and get to experience and rave about this groundbreaking technology first-hand (or rather first-eye).

That would be a stellar PR coup for Brainchip and undoubtedly result in innumerable relieved shareholder faces as well as an explosion of (unexploding) lunar-bound in this space, while the Mickleboros of the world will be staring in disbelief at the BRN share price trajectory.
Sadly, the stock market feels more like a casino these days, so more likely there will be heaps of instead, after the almost inevitable “sell on good news”.

P.S.: In case the BRN management happens to monitor this - I just wanted to mention in passing that I wouldn‘t mind being donated a couple of thousand shares as a reward for this ingenious proposal…

 

[thelittleshort]

One BrainChip Machine Learning Solutions Architect tagging another in a YOLOv8 post