Japan backs AI chip startup EdgeCortix in boost to defense tech

EdgeCortix, a Tokyo-based AI chip startup, has secured $21 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop energy-efficient AI chiplets for commercialization in 2027, targeting Japan's semiconductor sector. This funding, part of a larger $4 billion investment for next-gen communication chips, aims to help robots make real-time decisions and address Japan's labor shortages through mass production at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s plant. The company's technology is poised to advance edge AI solutions across various domains, from land-based systems to space, aligning with Japan's growing emphasis on dual-use technologies for national security and defense.