ARM acquires image processing technology expert Apical

Date: 18/05/2016
ARM has acquired vision processing technology expert Apical for a cash consideration of $350 million. Apical's imaging products are used in more than 1.5 billion smartphones and approximately 300 million other consumer/industrial devices including IP cameras, digital still cameras and tablets. Basically it's a AI technology related to video/image analytics.

Apical vision processing technology is called Spirit with dedicated semiconductor IP blocks for reading raw video data and convert that into image describing code.

Apical's other technology innovations include:
1. Assertive Display which enables screens to adapt to changes in light by overcoming brightness limitations while reducing power consumption. Assertive Display continuously adapts each individual pixel to preserve the colour and contrast ratio. ARM's Mali-DP550 integrates with Apical’s Assertive Display technology. Qualcomm Snapdragon also supports Assertive Display for smartphones and tablets.

2. Assertive Camera: basically these are the image signal processing silicon IP and software for colour management and image correction for better recognition of images at the camera level.

Many leading high-end smart phones have employed Apical's technology. Some of the brands to name include Lumia, Micromax, LG, Samsung, Huawei. Wondering why Apple iPhone is not listed here, as per our information Apple is not using Apical's technology.

Not only the smart phones, even the videoconferencing solutions as well as laptop displays also leverage Apical's tech.

Author: Srinivasa Reddy N
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