On-device artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor corporations DEEPX is teaming up with Japan's technology distributor Koshida Corporation to target the Japan Edge AI market. The goal is to supply its Neural Processing Unit (NPU) product line to local industrial sites in manufacturing, robotics, automotive, and industrial automation.
DEEPX said on the 3rd that it signed a strategic partnership agreement with Koshida Corporation at Koshida's headquarters in Tokyo. The two sides plan to propose DEEPX's NPU product line to local customers in Japan and expand industrial field applications to increase the use and adoption of Edge AI in the Japanese market. Founded in 1930, Koshida Corporation is a Japanese technology distribution and solutions corporations that has operated in a wide range of industries, including automotive, semiconductors, mobile phones, the Internet of Things (IoT), and AI.
Koshida Corporation will handle project sourcing, product proposals, customer support, and supply expansion based on its customer network and market understanding in Japan. DEEPX will provide the NPU product line, software development environment, reference platforms, and technical support. The structure supports local customers' product development and mass production.
DEEPX is strengthening its supply chain in Japan through this collaboration. The company currently has partnerships with more than 20 global distributors, including AVNET, WPG, Macnica, Serial, Digital China, and DigiKey. Following North America, Greater China, and Southeast Asia, the company plans to broaden the commercial foundation for Edge AI in Japan as well.
DEEPX sees Japan as one of its key markets. Japan has an industrial base in manufacturing, robotics, automotive, industrial automation, and security and social infrastructure. Due to an aging population and labor shortages, demand is growing for unmanned and intelligent operations on-site.
Demand for Edge AI semiconductors could also increase. In factories, logistics centers, construction sites, security cameras, and urban infrastructure, data often must be processed on-site rather than sent to the cloud. DEEPX believes it can apply low-power NPUs to these environments.
DEEPX's flagship product, the DX-M1, is an ultra-low-power AI Semiconductor built on a 5-nanometer process. It delivers 25 TOPS-class AI compute performance and is designed to operate at a low power level of 3–5 W. It can be applied to security cameras, industrial computers, robots, drones, smart factory equipment, and edge servers.
DEEPX CEO Kim Nok-won said, "The goal is to work with our Japanese partner to steadily increase cases where DEEPX NPUs are commercialized in real industrial settings," and added, "We will practically apply ultra-low-power AI Semiconductor technology developed in Korea to global manufacturing and infrastructure sites."
Koshida Kei, director and executive officer at Koshida Corporation, said, "Interest in and demand for Edge AI are rapidly increasing in the Japanese market," and added, "Leveraging Koshida's network and market knowledge in Japan, we will work with DEEPX to win projects and expand business."