Your smartphone is about to get smarter.
Qualcomm this week unveiled its new Snapdragon Neural Processing Engine, a deep learning software development kit (SDK) for devices that run on the company’s Snapdragon 820 processors.
Using Qualcomm’s Zeroth Machine Intelligence Platform, the kit aims to deliver “intuitive and engaging deep learning-driven experiences on device,” including scene detection, text recognition, object tracking and avoidance, gesturing, face recognition and natural language processing.
The Zeroth platform is currently the technology behind Qualcomm’s visual intelligence software – including Snapdragon Scene Detect – and advanced malware detection software, like that found in Snapdragon Smart Protect, the company said.
Importantly, Qualcomm said the technology will allow OEMs to run their own neural network models on Snapdragon 820 devices – including smartphones, security cameras, automobiles and drones – without a connection to the cloud.
“The demand for untethered, mobile learning-driven user experiences is increasing rapidly and Qualcomm Technologies’ customers have been clamoring for tools to help them realize their product visions,” Qualcomm Technologies’ director of product management Gary Brotman said. “With the introduction of the new Snapdragon Neural Processing Engine SDK, we are making it possible for myriad sectors, including mobile, IoT and automotive to harnesses the power of Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and make high-performance, power efficient on-device deep learning a reality.”
According to a recent report from Android Headlines, Qualcomm recently announced nearly 115 Snapdragon 820-powered devices are expected to hit the market through 2017. The chips will be utilized in smartphones and tablets, as well as cars and in other industries, the report said.
Smartphones currently running the Snapdragon 820 include the LG G5, HTC 10 and some versions of the Samsung Galaxy S7.
Qualcomm said the Snapdragon Neural Processing Engine SDK is expected to become available in the second half of this year.
