MAX78000 AI Microcontroller with Xailient Detectum Neural Network Provides Fast and Low-Power IoT Face Detection

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. and Xailient Inc., has announced that Maxim’s ultra-low power neural-network microcontroller "MAX78000" detects and localizes faces in video and images using Xailient’s proprietary Detectum neural network. Maxim’s microcontroller paired with Xailient’s neural network improves overall power efficiency and battery life of hybrid edge/cloud applications that employ a low-power ‘listening’ mode which then awakens more complex systems when a face is detected. Moreover, the flexible network can be extended to applications other than facial recognition, such as livestock inventory and monitoring, parking spot occupancy, inventory levels and more.

Xailient’s neural network draws 250xlower power than conventional embedded solutions and at 12 milliseconds (ms) per inference, the network performs in real time and is faster than the most efficient face-detection solutions. The Network includes focus, zoom and visual wake-word technologies to detect and localize faces in video and images at 76x faster rates than conventional software solutions, at similar or better accuracy.

Availability and Pricing

The MAX78000 is available at Maxim Integrated’s website for $8.50 (1000-up, FOB USA) and also from authorized distributors. The Detectum neural network, series models, tools, services as well as focus, zoom and visual wake word technologies are available directly from Xailient. Moreover, The MAX78000EVKIT# evaluation kit is also available for $168.