Anker Unveils Custom 'Thus' AI Chip to Bring Local Intelligence to Consumer Devices
Key Takeaways
- ▸Anker's Thus is a compute-in-memory AI chip designed specifically for power-constrained devices, colocating model storage and computation to reduce data movement overhead
- ▸The chip enables significantly larger neural networks (several million parameters) in earbuds compared to existing solutions, improving AI capabilities like advanced noise cancellation
- ▸Thus will first ship in Soundcore flagship earbuds before being rolled out across Anker's broader audio, mobile accessories, and IoT product portfolio
Summary
Anker has announced the development of Thus, a custom-designed neural-net compute-in-memory AI audio chip that the company claims is the world's first of its kind. The chip is engineered to be significantly smaller and more power-efficient than traditional AI processors, making it ideal for resource-constrained devices like wireless earbuds. According to Anker CEO Steven Yang, Thus addresses a fundamental inefficiency in existing AI chips by colocating the neural network model and computation on the same processor, eliminating the need to repeatedly shuttle parameters between storage and processing units.
The Thus chip will debut in Soundcore's upcoming flagship earbuds, chosen as the launch platform due to the extreme space and power constraints of in-ear devices. Anker claims the improved energy efficiency enables the Thus chip to handle several million parameters compared to the few hundred thousand supported by previous earbud processors, resulting in superior noise cancellation and call audio quality. The chip will be paired with eight MEMS microphones and two bone conduction sensors to enhance voice isolation in noisy environments. The first Thus-powered earbuds, likely the Liberty 5 Pro Max and Pro variants, are expected to launch at Anker Day on May 21, with pricing starting at $169.99.
- The architecture addresses a fundamental limitation of previous AI chips by eliminating repeated parameter transfers during inference, improving both performance and power efficiency
Editorial Opinion
Anker's Thus chip represents a pragmatic approach to embedding AI in consumer hardware where traditional solutions struggle. By redesigning the fundamental architecture rather than simply shrinking existing chips, Anker has identified a real inefficiency in how AI models are deployed at the edge. If Thus delivers on its promises—particularly in real-world noise cancellation against formidable competitors like Apple and Sony—it could establish Anker as a serious player in edge AI hardware beyond its traditional accessory business.
