FemtoAI – Low-power AI noise reduction

A new class of consumer devices is emerging. Powered by edge AI, they deliver incredible capabilities. But they must also operate within strict limits on size, latency, power, and cost. And their semiconductor supply chain needs to be both flexible and robust.

The collaboration between IC-Link with FemtoAI (formerly Femtosense) is a perfect example of how advanced AI can be made accessible to consumer product manufacturers. IC-Link manages silicon manufacturing, packaging, and testing, allowing FemtoAI to focus on its core strengths: design, software, and algorithms. The result is an ASIC that can enable a solution that improves the quality of life of millions of people.

A full day on one battery charge

For people with hearing difficulties, distinguishing speech from background noises is a challenge. AI noise reduction can solve this problem, making it ideal for hearing aids and earbuds. Provided, of course, that it doesn’t drain the batteries.

That’s FemtoAI’s mission: to drastically improve the efficiency of AI workloads – up to 100 times compared to today’s devices. For a hearing aid with AI noise reduction, that's the difference between running for an entire day or just ten minutes. In other words, between an impressive demo and a real-world application.

Focus on core expertise

FemtoAI achieved this breakthrough by exploiting sparse mathematics and developing the hardware and algorithm at the same time.

From an early stage, they trusted IC-Link to manage the ASIC services. “One of the advantages of working with IC-Link,” says FemtoAI co-founder and CEO Sam Fok, “is that you can do low-volume runs in the development phase and ramp up to high volumes when the product is ready.”

Start-ups and IC-Link: the best of both worlds

For a start-up like FemtoAI, deciding where to spend its time, energy, and capital is critical. Innovative products are market differentiators, not the semiconductor supply chain. That’s why it makes sense to work with a partner you can trust to get the products to market on time, and with minimal risk.

Such a partnership also helps when talking to customers, according to Sam Fok. “They get the best of worlds: a disruptive start-up, which always involves some risk, with a reputable supply chain partner. It’s comforting to know the start-up can focus on what it does best, because the supply-chain is secure.”