The high-tech company TRUMPF and SiMa.ai, the software-centric system-on-chip company for machine learning, have today signed a partnership to develop lasers with artificial intelligence (AI). The aim is to equip several TcRUMPF laser systems with AI technology in the near future. These include systems for welding, cutting and marking as well as powder metal 3D printers.
“AI has high strategic relevance for TRUMPF. Our expertise in laser processes and manufacturing helps us to develop smart software for production purposes. SiMa.ai is the ideal partner for this next big step towards intelligent industrial solutions,” says Richard Bannmüller, CTO of TRUMPF Laser Technology.
Both companies bring their respective expertise to the collaboration: TRUMPF, its laser application expertise, and SiMa.ai, its machine learning system on chip (MLSoC) technology.
“The rapid acceleration of AI innovation is reshaping how humans can leverage emerging technology – SiMa.ai’s powerful MLSoC and flexible software alongside TRUMPF’s highest level of process understanding is enabling AI solutions that drive the industry forward. In combination with TRUMPF’s advanced AI software, SiMa.ai’s one software-centric platform for all edge AI adjusts to any framework, network, model, sensor, or modality, making it possible to reach the next level of AI-assisted laser technology,” says Harald Kröger, Head of Sales and President of Automotive Business at SiMa.ai.
SiMa.ai, headquartered in San Jose, California, with offices in Stuttgart, employs around 200 people. Edge ML applications running entirely on SiMa.ai’s chip have ten times the performance and energy efficiency and offer higher intelligence for ML use cases ranging from computer vision to generative AI. Around 90 employees worldwide work on AI at TRUMPF, primarily in product development.
Accelerated production of electric vehicles
The collaboration between the two companies is intended to accelerate complex material processing. The powerful, compact and energy-efficient AI chips are integrated directly into the laser systems. The AI-optimized sensor technology can monitor the quality of the laser welding process in real time and evaluate more than 3,000 images per second. In electric car production, for example, real-time quality testing during laser welding with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) is set to replace separate and complex testing procedures. In addition, battery manufacturers can increase the quality of their production in real time and reduce the reject rate, which could ultimately lower the price of electric cars for consumers.
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