SemiDrive and APAQI Robotics have agreed to collaborate on the computing foundation for the high-level "brain" and motion-control "cerebellum" of embodied-intelligence robots, according to a post SemiDrive issued on September 22 via its WeChat account.
Key Takeaways
·The companies plan to jointly develop robot "brain" and "cerebellum" controllers, along with an integrated product offering spanning edge-computing platforms and core joint modules.
·SemiDrive will contribute its automotive-grade chip and edge-computing expertise to APAQI Robotics' next-generation robot development and volume-production platforms, supporting real-time perception, decision-making and planning.
·APAQI Robotics will use SemiDrive's chip platform to optimize the integration of its high-level and motion-control controllers with core robotic joint modules.
Image source: SemiDrive
Why It Matters
In the architecture described by the companies, the robot's "brain" handles cognition and decision-making, while its "cerebellum" manages motion and control. Their collaboration is intended to connect chips, controllers, joint modules and the robot body within one product stack. The companies expect this integration to support more efficient computation and motion control as robotic models and algorithms are updated for a wider range of operating scenarios.
Background
SemiDrive is an automotive-grade chip designer that is extending its product portfolio into embodied intelligence. The company's "brain–cerebellum–joint" chip lineup includes the R1-series computing SoC for edge deployment of multimodal large language models and vision-language-action models, the D9-Max SoC for real-time motion control, and the E3-R series of microcontrollers for robotic joint modules and related applications.
SemiDrive says more than 14 million of its automotive-grade chips have been installed in mass-produced vehicles. It also claims EtherCAT communication jitter of ±5 microseconds for the D9-Max and nanosecond-level real-time response for the E3-R series.
APAQI Robotics, based in Suzhou, is one of China's early providers of integrated high-level and motion-control solutions for embodied robots. According to the company, its KiWiBot controller combines perception, decision-making and motion control, supports an EtherCAT master, operates at a control frequency of 1,000 Hz and can coordinate more than 70 axes. APAQI says the product series has been validated by more than 100 customers.
What to Watch Next
SemiDrive and APAQI Robotics plan to continue working together on product definition, joint technology development and market expansion. The companies have not disclosed a product launch schedule, production target or named customer program, making those the principal points to watch as the collaboration progresses.
