STMicroelectronics, one of Europe's largest integrated device manufacturers (IDM), is pivoting by releasing new products focused on the automotive and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors. Handling an extensive array of chips, including power, sensors, and analogs, STMicroelectronics is also referred to as a semiconductor department store. It is mounting the most aggressive offensive among European corporations by leveraging the AI and automotive markets as two major growth drivers.
Recently, STMicroelectronics has started mass production of the 'Stella' series in the automotive microcontroller unit (MCU) sector, increasing supply to increasingly digitized automotive customers. Additionally, it unveiled an edge chip equipped with a neural processing unit (NPU) that boosts AI processing performance by 600 times, thus beginning to assert influence in the on-device AI sector.
According to the industry on the 13th, STMicroelectronics plans to soon begin mass production of the advanced Stella P and G series, which have obtained vehicle product qualifications, and aims to supply major automobile manufacturers in Europe and Asia. The Stella series supports data virtualization technology with ARM-based design, unlike competitors NXP, Infineon, and Renesas, and is equipped with the industry's largest non-volatile memory capacity. It has been evaluated as the most optimized complete MCU for increasingly digitized automobiles.
An MCU is a system semiconductor that integrates a central processing unit (CPU) and related modules on a single chip to control specific machinery and equipment. It acts as the brain of electronic products, controlling various characteristics of products ranging from simple functions to specialized capabilities. STMicroelectronics is continuously launching MCUs for various edge devices, including automobiles, closed-circuit television (CCTV), computer vision, and acoustic analysis.
STMicroelectronics is particularly responding swiftly to market expansion in the automotive sector compared to established competitors Infineon, NXP, and Renesas. According to the market research firm Global Market Insights, the global automotive MCU market recorded approximately $13 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $25 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% starting in 2024.
STMicroelectronics recently launched the STM32N6, specialized in on-device AI. The inference performance of this chip, tailored for edge devices, enhances AI processing capability by 600 times compared to typical edge device MCUs. The new product features the neural processing unit (NPU) 'Neural-ART Accelerator' and includes a maximum capacity of 4.2MB of memory in the MCU sector.
STMicroelectronics emphasized that the STM32N6 is the first chip in the MCU sector to integrate accelerated machine learning capabilities, stating, "It enables high-performance features utilizing computer vision, audio processing, sound analysis, and other algorithms in consumer and industrial edge AI products, which are sensitive to expense and power consumption.
STMicroelectronics' offensive extends beyond hardware to also enhance software (SW) and the customer ecosystem. In June, STMicroelectronics announced the ST Edge AI Suite, which combines tools, software, and expertise to simplify on-device AI implementation and support rapid development. The company is taking active steps by offering solutions such as NanoEdge AI Studio, which automatically generates machine learning libraries, and Stellar Studio for free.
Meanwhile, STMicroelectronics is expanding its production capacity in response to increasing demand. It is currently establishing 300mm wafer mass production facilities to double its production capacity in locations such as Italy. Additionally, a new product based on 18-nanometer technology, developed in collaboration with Samsung Electronics' foundry division, is expected to be completed within the year.