Andes integrates Brainchip neuromorphic AI with RISC-V

BrainChip and Andes Technology have joined forces to integrate Neuromorphic AI IP with RISC-V cores, resulting in a powerful collaboration that promises to advance edge AI capabilities. The Akida AKD1500 chip, built on 22nm FD-SOI technology, has been seamlessly integrated into the Andes QiLai Voyager Board, alongside the AndesCore AX45MP 64-bit multicore CPU IP. This integration was made possible through the use of the M.2 PCI Express card, providing a robust platform for developing and porting large RISC-V applications.

The AKD1500 chip offers digital, energy-efficient, event-based AI computation, making it ideal for a wide range of applications including AI sensors, automotive electronics, and security systems. With over 0.7 TOPS of event-based computing power and consuming less than 250mW, the AKD1500 demonstrates impressive performance while maintaining energy efficiency. This innovative approach to AI processing opens up new possibilities for edge devices, enabling AI solutions that were previously unattainable on battery-operated or fan-less embedded systems.

The Andes QiLai SoC chip, which features a high-performance quad-core RISC-V AX45MP cluster, complements the AKD1500 chip by providing a robust platform for running Linux-based applications. The AX45MP design includes a shared Level-2 cache, a coherence manager, and a Memory Management Unit (MMU) to support a wide range of applications. With clock speeds of up to 2.2 GHz on the 7nm QiLai SoC, the AX45MP offers impressive performance for edge AI workloads.

Dr. Charlie Su, CTO and President at Andes Technology, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We consistently search for ways to grow adoption of RISC-V solutions across an ever-increasing number of use cases. By working with BrainChip and integrating the Akida IP into our QiLai Voyager platform, we better enable developers with opportunities to develop RISC-V-based solutions optimized for edge AI workloads and capabilities.” This partnership highlights the commitment of both companies to driving innovation in the AI space.

Steve Brightfield, CMO at BrainChip, emphasized the significance of the integration, stating, “As a pioneer in ultra-low power AI processing, our Akida technology integrates with RISC-V to enable efficient, intelligent compute at the edge. Showcasing these attributes through the integration of the AKD1500 with Andes QiLai platform at RISC-V Con 2025, ideally demonstrates how these solutions can be used in production SoCs to provide next-generation breakthroughs.” The collaboration between BrainChip and Andes Technology represents a significant step forward in the development of edge AI solutions, offering a glimpse into the future of intelligent computing.