Intel has announced its intention to acquire mobile processor technology provider Movidius, in a move it says will position Intel as a leader for computer vision and deep learning systems from the device to the cloud. No financial details were disclosed.
The acquisition is in-line with Intel’s RealSense vision and strategy. Computer vision enables machines to visually process and understand their surroundings. Cameras serve as the “eyes” of the device, the central processing unit is the “brain,” and a vision processor is the “visual cortex.” Upon integration, computer vision enables navigation and mapping, collision avoidance, tracking, object recognition, or inspection analytics, capabilities that are “extremely compelling in emerging markets,” Intel said.
With Movidius, Intel gains low-power, high-performance SoC platforms for accelerating computer vision applications, as well as algorithms tuned for deep learning, depth processing, navigation and mapping, and natural interactions, plus broad expertise in embedded computer vision and machine intelligence. The company said Movidius technology will help it optimize, enhance and brings RealSense capabilities to fruition.
Specifically, the buy will accelerate initiatives in new and emerging technologies. The ability to track, navigate, map and recognize both scenes and objects using Movidius low-power and high-performance SoCs will open opportunities in areas where heat, battery life and form factors are key. Intel said it wants to deploy the technology across its efforts in augmented, virtual and merged reality (AR/VR/MR), drones, robotics, digital security cameras and for other applications.
