Renesas Electronics launches RZ/V series microprocessors with image processing AI accelerator

     Renesas Electronics has announced the introduction of the RZ/V series of microprocessors (MPUs) powered by Renesas' unique image processing AI accelerator, DRP-AI (DRP: Dynamically Configurable Processor). The first product in the family, the RZ/V2M, enables real-time AI reasoning in embedded devices with industry-leading low power consumption.

     In applications such as industrial and infrastructure surveillance cameras, scanning guns for retail, and smart cameras for POS terminal devices, the demand for real-time, AI-based portrait and object recognition is growing rapidly. However, the high power consumption and heat generated by AI processing pose new challenges for developers of products and devices. RZ/V2M utilizes the excellent energy consumption ratio of DRP-AI to achieve power consumption as low as 4W (typical value), so there is no need to configure heat sinks and cooling fans, greatly simplifying heat dissipation measures, making RZ/V2M can be used in compact devices, helping to achieve device miniaturization, thus expanding the application range of AI in embedded devices. It also reduces bill of Materials (BOM) costs.

     "The new RZ/V series offers both high performance and low power consumption, enabling AI image processing to achieve higher real-time performance," said Keito Nikita, senior vice President, SoC Division Director, Renesas Electronics iot and Infrastructure Business Unit. With object recognition, the RZ/V series will greatly expand the application range of AI in embedded devices, such as the camera in the intelligent shopping cart system that automatically calculates the total price based on the items in the cart; Robots in factories can work safely with humans; Medical cameras will help doctors make diagnoses."

     In addition to the DRP-AI, the RZ/V2M has an integrated image signal processor (ISP) capable of processing 4K pixel images at 30 frames per second. ISP features high dynamic range (HDR) capabilities for processing high-contrast images, noise reduction, and distortion correction, significantly improving AI recognition accuracy and ensuring that clear images are produced in any weather, time, and installation location. With these integrated capabilities, RZ/V2M will revolutionize the application of high-precision AI in a variety of low-power embedded devices.

     Drp-ai, an AI accelerator dedicated to image optimization, is an IP developed from DRP built into RZ/A2M, designed for tasks such as reading 2D barcodes and iris recognition. To improve computational processing power, DRP functions are combined with AI-MAC (multiply and add) circuits, making it ideal for AI inference applications. The new IP core has AI processing power, which is about 10 times more energy efficient than DRP, and can reach 1 TOPS/W level. In addition, because DRP can dynamically change its operating circuit configuration at each clock cycle, DRP-AI can flexibly support evolving AI algorithms. To facilitate development with DRP-AI, Renesas also plans to offer specialized tools such as DRP-AI converters to help easily execute user-trained AI models in embedded devices.