Renesas unveils AI implementations on the Arm Cortex-M85 processor

Renesas Electronics Corp., supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, delivered the first live demonstrations of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) implementations on an MCU based on the Arm Cortex-M85 processor. The demo showed the performance uplift in AI/ML applications made possible by the new Cortex-M85 core and Arm’s Helium technology. The demo was held at embedded world 2023 Exhibition and Conference in Nuremburg, Germany this spring.

The prvious year, Renesas became the first company to demonstrate working silicon based on the Arm Cortex-M85 processor. This year, Renesas extended its leadership by showcasing the features of the new processor in demanding AI use cases. The first demonstration showcased a people detection application developed in collaboration with Plumerai, a leader in Vision AI, that identifies and tracks persons in the camera frame in varying lighting and environmental conditions. The compact and efficient TinyML models used in this application lead to low-cost and lower power AI solutions for a wide range of IoT implementations. The second demo showcases a motor control predictive maintenance use case with an AI-based unbalanced load detection application using Tensorflow Lite for Microcontrollers with CMSIS-NN.

First working silicon demo is based on the new Arm Cortex-M85 processor.

Delivering over 6 CoreMark/MHz, Cortex-M85 enables demanding IoT use cases that require the highest compute performance and DSP or ML capability, realized on a single, simple-to-program Cortex-M processor. The Arm Cortex-M85 processor features Helium technology, Arm’s M-Profile Vector Extension, available as part of the Armv8.1M architecture. It delivers a significant performance uplift for machine learning (ML) and digital signal processing (DSP) applications, accelerating compute-intensive applications such as endpoint AI. Both demos showcased the performance uplift made possible by the application of this technology in AI use cases. Cortex-M hallmarks such as deterministic operation, short interrupt response time, and state-of-the-art low-power support are uncompromised on Cortex-M85.

“We’re proud to again lead the industry in implementing the powerful new Arm Cortex-M85 processor with Helium technology,” said Roger Wendelken, senior VP in Renesas’ IoT and infrastructure business unit. “By showcasing the performance of AI on the new processor, we are highlighting technical advantages of the new platform and at the same time demonstrating Renesas’ strengths in providing solutions for emerging applications with our innovative ecosystem partners.”