I'm not really sure either but the way I interpreted things after the dust settled this week is that Cerence are the software and cloud component of "Hey Mercedes". And Brainchip is the edge AI component with Akida located directly on the sensor which for Mercedes is supplied by Valeo.
Knowing that Cerence may actually rely on Akida makes for really interesting reading in their recent press releases on their website though. From working with Pioneer Corporation in Japan back in Jun-21, to "Hey Audi" (sounds familiar!) in Sep-21 and a $149mil contract with a leading Eurpoean OEM in Dec-21.
Pioneer Corporation -
https://www.cerence.com/news-releases/news-release-details/pioneer-and-cerence-enter-strategic-partnership-develop"Hey Audi" -
https://www.cerence.com/news-releases/news-release-details/cerence-powers-conversational-ai-audi-e-tron-gt-and-audi-q4-eMercedes -
https://www.cerence.com/news-releases/news-release-details/cerence-drives-enhanced-intelligence-including-new-electric$149mil contract -
https://www.cerence.com/news-releases/news-release-details/cerence-signs-largest-contract-company-history-premier-globalAnd one of the big takeaways I took from the Audi work was their comment which ties in Cerence with Akida imo...."A hybrid system with both cloud-based and embedded elements means drivers are never left without key capabilities, even in areas of low or no connectivity."
So if Akida goes hand in hand with Cerence, then further to Mercedes/Daimler it opens up scope for involvement with 61 new car models from 16 global automakers ranging from BMW, Ford, GM, Jaguar Land Rover, Honda, Renault, Stellantis, Toyota, and Volkswagen Group as well as leading Chinese OEMs BJEV, Chery, Geely, Great Wall Motors, Human Horizons, and SAIC. And not just the car makers that Valeo already supplies.
https://www.cerence.com/news-releases/news-release-details/cerence-achieves-record-starts-production-sops-its-industryIf Cerence is worth $149mil for potentially one series of car from just one car maker makes you wonder what we'll be worth if Akida is on hundreds of sensors on each car from multiple car makers.
Amazing blue sky potential. AIMHO.
(20min delay)