Nordic Semiconductor to Acquire Atlazo’s AI and ML IP Portfolio, Strengthening IoT Solutions
Nordic Semiconductor has recently revealed its plans to acquire the intellectual property (IP) portfolio of Atlazo, an AI and machine learning (ML) company headquartered in the United States. The deal, which remains undisclosed in terms of financial details, also includes employment agreements with Atlazo’s core team of eight professionals.
Based in San Diego, Atlazo is recognized for its expertise in AI and ML processors, sensor interface design, and energy management tailored for small-scale edge devices. The acquisition is set to bolster Nordic’s dominant position in low-power product development and IoT solutions, while also fast-tracking key strategic initiatives.
With the integration of Atlazo’s IP and expert team, Nordic will gain access to state-of-the-art AI/ML technology, advanced sensor front-end capabilities applicable to health-related applications, and on-device technology enabling optimal energy consumption for various computational tasks. This move promises to usher in a new era of persistent AI/ML capabilities and technologies, fortifying Nordic’s core business offerings.
Kjetil Holstad, EVP Strategy and Product Management at Nordic emphasized, “This brings a new level of always-on AI/ML capabilities and technologies that will strengthen our core business.”
The rising significance of edge devices has led to a heightened demand for enhanced computing power, advanced services, and intelligence at the network edge. Nordic aims to harness Atlazo’s hyper-low-power AI/ML processor technology for future System-on-Chip (SoC) designs, thereby enhancing its market offerings across diverse verticals. The incorporation of Atlazo’s sensor technologies for health-focused applications will also enable Nordic to better cater to expanding smart health markets, including wearables for optical heart monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring, and related domains.
Svenn-Tore Larsen, CEO of Nordic Semiconductor, expressed confidence in the strategic importance of the acquisition, stating, “Adding this group of highly experienced engineers and their intellectual property is an excellent fit with Nordic’s ongoing product development. We are confident that this integration will accelerate our progress towards ultra-low-power AI/ML.”
The acquisition encompasses Atlazo’s complete IP portfolio and select other assets. The company’s San Diego location will become Nordic’s third research and development site in the US, joining existing sites in Seattle and Portland. The acquisition is pending regulatory approval, with completion anticipated by the close of 2023.
