HANNOVER – Automotive technology giant Continental makes a strategic move by acquiring a minority stake in Recogni, a German-US start-up specializing in AI chip architecture for real-time object recognition. With a growing demand for high-performance processors in the realm of autonomous driving, Continental’s investment in Recogni marks a significant step towards meeting the evolving requirements of networked, automated, and autonomous vehicles, according to a press release published on EuropaWire.
Continental’s involvement extends beyond financial backing, leveraging its expertise in AI, vehicle sensors, and advanced driver assistance systems to support the development of Recogni’s innovative chip design. The envisioned processors, slated for integration into Continental’s high-performance vehicle computers, promise rapid processing of sensor data crucial for enabling automated and autonomous driving functionalities.
Frank Petznick, head of Continental’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems business unit, underscores the importance of faster chips in driving the future of automotive technology. Continental’s strategic partnerships with industry leaders like NVIDIA, coupled with its investment in Recogni, underscore its commitment to pioneering highly specialized processors essential for next-generation vehicle computing systems.
Recogni’s CEO, R K Anand, lauds Continental’s support as a testament to the company’s vision of addressing the most pressing challenges in autonomous driving. Recogni’s AI inference system, powered by cutting-edge ASICs, aims to deliver unparalleled performance while minimizing energy consumption, paving the way for superior perception processing in autonomous vehicles.
As the automotive industry transitions towards a data-driven future, the need for AI-optimized processors becomes increasingly evident. Continental and Recogni’s collaboration signifies a strategic alignment aimed at addressing this growing demand while driving innovation in the autonomous driving landscape.
The collaboration between Continental and Recogni was facilitated by Continental’s start-up organization, co-pace. Over the past 18 months, the two entities have collaborated closely to ensure the technical feasibility and efficiency of Recogni’s chip design. Annika Ratte-Front, head of AI at Continental’s ADAS business unit, highlights the theoretical efficiency gains expected with Recogni’s chips, paving the way for exponential advancements in sensor data analysis.
Continental’s investment in Recogni underscores its commitment to spearheading innovation in the mobility sector. Through strategic partnerships and venture capital initiatives, Continental continues to position itself at the forefront of automotive technology, driving the future of autonomous driving and beyond.
