Deepseek R1/Llama 8B on Arm Powered Edge device! Geniatech AI Inside NXP i.MX8M Plus Kinara Ara-2

Posted by – March 14, 2025
Category: Exclusive videos

Geniatech’s latest AI-powered industrial ARM box PC integrates the NXP i.MX 8M Plus processor with Kinara’s Ara-2 AI accelerator, offering up to 40 TOPS of AI computing power. This fanless, industrial-grade solution is designed for edge AI applications, providing an alternative to high-cost desktop AI workstations. It supports large AI models with billions of parameters, making it a powerful tool for on-device inference and processing without relying on cloud-based APIs. The device is showcased at Embedded World 2025, emphasizing its capability to run models like DeepSeek and LLaMA while maintaining data privacy. For more details, visit: https://www.geniatech.com/embedded

The system-on-chip (SoC) combines a quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor with an additional Cortex-M7 core, ensuring efficient processing for AI workloads. The integrated neural processing unit (NPU) within the i.MX 8M Plus delivers 2.3 TOPS of AI acceleration, while Kinara’s Ara-2 extends this capability to 40 TOPS, significantly boosting inference speed. This setup allows developers to deploy AI applications directly at the edge, reducing latency and operational costs.

With up to 16GB of LPDDR4X RAM for the Kinara Ara-2 AI accelerator and 8GB to 16GB LPDDR4 for the i.MX 8M Plus, the system supports memory-intensive AI tasks. Storage options include 32GB eMMC, expandable to 256GB, ensuring ample space for large AI models and datasets. Video processing capabilities include 1080p60 HEVC, H.265, and VP9 decoding, alongside HDR ISP support for high-quality imaging applications.

The device’s connectivity features include dual Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, and GPS support, making it adaptable to various industrial and AI-driven IoT environments. Video output is handled through HDMI and LVDS, with additional interfaces including USB 3.0, RS232, CAN, and MIPI CSI for camera integration. This wide range of I/O options enables deployment in smart surveillance, industrial automation, and other AI-driven edge computing applications.

Unlike traditional AI computing solutions requiring high-end GPUs, Geniatech’s embedded system provides a cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative. With its easy-to-install software and over-the-air update capabilities, the system ensures continuous improvements and access to the latest AI models. The focus on local processing enhances privacy by keeping data on the device rather than relying on cloud services.

As AI adoption continues to grow, Geniatech is actively exploring future developments, including support for larger AI models, potentially reaching 32 billion parameters. This commitment to scalability positions the company as a key player in industrial AI, addressing the increasing demand for edge AI computing solutions.

Check out all my Embedded World 2025 videos in this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7xXqJFxvYvjgUpdNMBkGzEWU6YVxR8Ga

This video was filmed using the DJI Pocket 3 ($669 at https://amzn.to/4aMpKIC using the dual wireless DJI Mic 2 microphones with the DJI lapel microphone https://amzn.to/3XIj3l8 ), watch all my DJI Pocket 3 videos here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7xXqJFxvYvhDlWIAxm_pR9dp7ArSkhKK

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