EdgeCortix Utilizes iSpace Moon Data for Edge AI

ispace, a lunar exploration company, has recently announced a partnership with EdgeCortix, a chip designer, to collaborate on cislunar development utilizing EdgeCortix’s cutting-edge low-power edge AI processors. This collaboration aims to leverage data from ongoing and upcoming missions for the SAKURA-II platform edge AI accelerator, which is currently in the development phase. The SAKURA-II platform boasts a patented low-latency Dynamic Neural Accelerator (DNA) technology and MERA software and compiler framework, enabling it to deliver up to 60TOPS of performance.

As part of this partnership, ispace and EdgeCortix are working towards integrating the SAKURA-II AI-specific processors into cislunar systems. Takeshi Hakamada, the Founder and CEO of ispace, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We believe working together we can develop and improve technologies for the cislunar environment that will overcome the challenges found on the Moon.”

On the other hand, Sakyasingha Dasgupta, CEO and Founder of EdgeCortix, shared his excitement about the collaboration with ispace, emphasizing the importance of leveraging AI technologies in space missions. He mentioned, “Space is the final frontier for edge computing, and we are eager to support ispace’s mission to enhance intelligence, efficiency, and effectiveness in AI workloads during their missions.”

In a significant development, NASA has confirmed the suitability of the current SAKURA-I AI Accelerator platform for space missions, including those in Earth orbit and on the lunar surface. The platform has demonstrated high levels of radiation resiliency, showcasing its robust technology that can withstand the challenges of space environments.

Moreover, the HAKUTO-R mission, led by ispace, is making strides in lunar exploration, with the recent successful completion of a flyby. Looking ahead, Mission 3, featuring a new lunar lander named Apex 1.0, is on the horizon and is expected to launch in 2026 under the leadership of ispace US. Additionally, the company is gearing up for its fourth mission, utilizing the Series 3 lander currently in the design phase in Japan, with a scheduled launch by 2027.