Malaysia just got its first homegrown edge AI processor, thanks to local semiconductor designer SkyeChip Sdn Bhd. They’re calling it the MARS1000.
SkyeChip’s CEO, Fong Swee Kiang, shared that the MARS1000 is the country’s first smart IoT chip built on an efficient 7 nm process, according to The Star. Fong has more than 30 years of experience in semiconductor industry, having worked for Intel and Broadcom, according to the company’s website.
He says it offers a cost-effective and AI-ready solution that should be a game-changer for local industries. The chip is designed to power everything from smart agriculture and Industry 4.0 to smart traffic systems and safe city initiatives.
But the vision goes beyond immediate applications. Fong hopes the MARS1000 will help build a complete AI ecosystem within Malaysia, one that nurtures local talent and creates a new generation of AI-literate students and knowledge workers.
Built specifically for edge computing, the chip is capable of handling demanding tasks like autonomous robotics, intelligent video analytics, and even generative AI. It’s a significant step that puts Malaysian innovation firmly on the global AI map.