Some random notes from this morning's webinar update (some of...

Some random notes from this morning's webinar update (some of which have already been mentioned) :

1. Where are we at in the System Development Lifecycle?
- Functional Testing is just about complete

• It's not exactly complete yet, as there's a bit of transit time between what happens in Japan, and what's happening in US
• This stage consists of doing scans(?), doing end-bits(?), making sure transistors work the way they're supposed to

- Internal Validation will begin shortly

• This consists of looking at all the individual blocks, interfaces, CPU complex, neural fabric; making sure they all work together

- Evaluation Boards are being fabricated

• Will be in customer's hands this month

2. What is Brainchip's Market Focus now?

• "Far Edge" - Will consist mainly of IP licenses for custoers building their own SOCs - Because, for example, these types of customers don't have the space or money to fit another IC into a radar or ultrasound modle, so IC is the only viable option
• "Enterprise Edge" (On-Premise Applications) - These devices have more physical space to incorporate a physical IC

3. Akida is Avante-Guarde

• Akida represents a novel approach because there's no external CPU, memory or accelerator
• This allows customers to reduce their footprint at the edge
• Major multinations (Ford, Valeo, and one of world's largest storage manufacturers - who I'm guessing is Quantum?) are excited about this architectural change - both in IP and IC forms
• But, this novel approach also creates confusion for customers, who mistake BRN for a deep-learning accelerator. Louis has to forcefully inform them that BRN is an AI processor, not an accelerator

4. Physical IC will be a catalyst for IP Sales

• The IP blocks will be aimed at potential custors who'd be looking to spending 30-50M building their own SoC
• Whilst having the simulation and ADE has been good for these chaps, having silcon and an evaluation board to actually run the network on will drive IP sales more robustly than hitherto