Lotte Innovate is joining hands with AI semiconductor specialist DeepX to accelerate the development of an AI video analysis system based on a Neural Processing Unit (NPU).
On Apr. 2, Lotte Innovate said it signed a mass-production cooperation development memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Apr. 1 at DeepX headquarters for "applying and validating an NPU capable of replacing a GPU to mutually improve technologies."
The two companies plan to begin mass production of products that use an NPU instead of Nvidia's graphics processing unit (GPU). In particular, they will also pursue technical cooperation to apply a dedicated NPU for real-time AI inference in intelligent CCTVs (closed-circuit TVs). Since 2023, the two companies have pursued technical cooperation to implement real-time video analysis systems based on vision AI in an on-device (embedded) AI environment across various industries, including Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), public infrastructure, and smart retail.
Lotte Innovate plans to verify the effectiveness of a solution that applies intelligent CCTVs by equipping a low-power, high-efficiency NPU instead of a GPU. DeepX will support development so that the vision AI model independently developed by Lotte Innovate can operate smoothly in an NPU environment.
Going forward, they plan to gradually expand the application of on-device AI-based vision AI systems to various business areas within Lotte Group, such as distribution, logistics, and infrastructure.
A Lotte Innovate official said, "By introducing an NPU, which is more price-competitive than a GPU at the same performance level, we aim to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and secure differentiated technological superiority when proposing new businesses," adding, "We will accelerate the spread of AI services optimized for various industrial sites by strengthening the NPU-based Edge AI ecosystem."