Mobilint NPU goes to space on secondary satellite of Nuri rocket's fifth launch, first Korean-designed NPU aboard a satellite

What happened

Mobilint said that two NPU boards based on its AI chip 'REGULUS' were aboard 'BEE-1012', a secondary payload satellite on the fifth launch of Korea's Nuri rocket on the 7th. One board, built with KAI and Funzin, runs an AI model that detects anomalies in satellite status data and identifies their causes. The other, built with SpaceLiinTech, observes the protein crystal growth process and analyzes images. Mobilint said this is the first time an NPU designed in-house by a Korean company has been placed on a satellite.

Provider claims

Mobilint described it as 'the first venture into space by an NPU designed in-house by a Korean company.'

Why it matters

It is a chance for a Korean edge AI chip to be validated in an environment, like a satellite, that demands high reliability. How it actually performs in orbit has not yet been disclosed.

Sources

• Press 모빌린트 NPU, 누리호 탑승…K-AI 반도체 최초 우주 진출 ZDNet Korea

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