EMASS Targets 25% Energy Efficiency Gain with ECS-DoT Drone AI Chip
Nanoveu’s subsidiary EMASS has launched real-world trials of its ECS-DoT AI chip, aiming to extend drone flight times by up to 30% while enabling advanced onboard intelligence with ultra-low power consumption.
- EMASS begins two-phase evaluation of ECS-DoT chip for drones
- Targeted 20-30% increase in drone flight endurance
- Onboard AI processing under 1 milliwatt power draw
- Up to 50% reduction in data uplink via edge AI
- Applications include infrastructure inspection and autonomous landing
Nanoveu Advances Drone AI with ECS-DoT Chip Trials
Nanoveu Limited’s embedded AI subsidiary, EMASS, has embarked on a structured two-phase program to demonstrate the capabilities of its ECS-DoT system on a chip (SoC) in commercial drone platforms. The initiative seeks to prove that this ultra-low-power AI chip can significantly extend drone flight times while enabling sophisticated onboard intelligence without relying on cloud connectivity.
The first phase, currently underway, uses hardware-in-the-loop simulation with the PX4/Gazebo platform to validate key performance targets. These include a 20-30% increase in flight endurance, translating to an additional 12 to 18 minutes on a typical 60-minute mission, and a 15-25% improvement in energy efficiency. The chip also aims to reduce data uplink requirements by up to 50% by processing visual data locally, easing bandwidth demands and improving responsiveness.
Beyond Flight Time: Unlocking Real-Time AI Applications
EMASS is positioning ECS-DoT not just as a power-saving component but as a platform for enabling advanced drone functionalities. The chip’s sub-milliwatt power consumption allows it to run complex AI models directly on the drone, supporting real-time tasks such as infrastructure inspection, autonomous precision landing, swarm coordination, and environmental sensing. These capabilities could transform sectors ranging from emergency response to agriculture and industrial monitoring.
Phase two will move from simulation to live drone trials, validating the chip’s performance in real-world conditions and paving the way for commercial deployment. Dr. Mohamed M. Sabry Aly, founder of EMASS, highlighted the importance of this step in demonstrating how embedded AI can revolutionize UAV performance.
Market Timing and Strategic Implications
The timing of this evaluation aligns with a rapidly expanding drone market. Australian drone flights are projected to increase fortyfold by 2043, while global UAV shipments are expected to surpass 7.5 million units annually by 2029. Nanoveu’s ECS-DoT chip targets this surge by offering a scalable, energy-efficient AI solution that could become a key enabler for next-generation drone platforms.
Mark Goranson, CEO of Nanoveu’s Semiconductor Division, emphasized the chip’s versatility, noting potential applications beyond drones, including wearables, IoT sensors, and augmented reality devices. The ongoing trials will be closely watched by aerospace integrators and infrastructure inspection providers seeking to leverage embedded AI for smarter, longer-lasting missions.
Bottom Line?
Nanoveu’s ECS-DoT trials mark a critical step toward smarter, longer-flying drones that could reshape multiple industries.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Phase 2 live trials confirm the projected flight time and energy efficiency gains?
- How quickly can Nanoveu secure commercial partnerships to scale ECS-DoT deployment?
- What competitive advantages will ECS-DoT hold against other emerging drone AI chips?
