Intel has announced major strategic partnerships with Chinese artificial intelligence firm ModelBest and automotive chip designer Black Sesame Technologies, marking a significant push into the smart car sector. The announcement was made during the opening of the Shanghai Auto Show, where Intel also debuted its second-generation, AI-enhanced software-defined vehicle (SDV) system-on-a-chip (SoC). This new SoC is designed to deliver scalable performance, advanced AI capabilities, and optimized cost efficiency for automakers, addressing the growing need for powerful computing solutions in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market.
The collaboration with ModelBest focuses on integrating advanced in-vehicle large language models (LLMs) and AI-powered graphical user interfaces. ModelBest’s technology will leverage Intel’s SDV SoC to enable offline AI voice control and smarter cockpits, providing drivers and passengers with more personalized and interactive experiences. These intelligent agents, powered by generative AI similar to ChatGPT, are set to redefine in-car communication and user interaction, bringing seamless voice-activated control to various vehicle systems.
Black Sesame Technologies, meanwhile, is working with Intel to develop a central compute platform that merges autonomous driving and cockpit AI into a single, energy-efficient system. By combining its advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) technology with Intel’s SoC and Arc graphics, Black Sesame aims to create a platform capable of real-time data processing and immersive cockpit experiences. This solution is engineered to meet the increasing demand for safety, performance, and connectivity in next-generation vehicles.
Intel’s partnerships with ModelBest and Black Sesame come as U.S. rivals Nvidia and AMD intensify their efforts in the automotive chip market. By relocating its automotive unit headquarters to mainland China and collaborating with local innovators, Intel is strategically positioning itself to capture a substantial share of the rapidly growing Chinese EV market. These moves underscore Intel’s commitment to driving the software-defined vehicle revolution, offering automakers highly customizable, scalable, and cost-effective computing solutions for the future of mobility.
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(Source: Tech Financials | Index Box | Intel | Future Ride)
