AI companies SiMa.ai and Cerence team up to equip next-gen edge-based conversational artificial intelligence systems
Cerence, a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI) for vehicles, and SiMa.ai, a pioneer in edge AI solutions, have formed a strategic partnership to enhance the in-car AI experience for drivers. The joint solution, set to debut at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, aims to address the growing demand for smart and reliable in-car experiences.
The partnership involves bringing Cerence's automotive-grade embedded small language model (CaLLM Edge) to SiMa.ai's MLSoC Modalix. This integration is designed to meet the needs of automakers and end users by providing a robust, high-performing technical foundation for in-vehicle AI at the edge.
CaLLM Edge, engineered for cross-platform compatibility, is capable of running efficiently on a wide range of hardware architectures. When combined with SiMa.ai's Modalix platform, it delivers advanced reasoning, multi-turn conversation, and proactive engagement within Cerence's xUI, an agentic AI assistant platform.
With CaLLM Edge running on Modalix, the in-car AI experience for the end user is faster, more responsive, more conversational, and available regardless of connectivity. This is particularly significant as cloud-only solutions can result in degraded user experiences during connectivity loss.
The hybrid AI architecture of Cerence combines embedded AI for ultra-low-latency responsiveness and enhanced privacy with enriched, context-aware information from the cloud. By leveraging the edge capabilities of Cerence xUI on MLSoC Modalix, OEMs can optimize the user experience by delivering real-time, multi-modal interaction and processing sensor inputs.
The joint solution also enhances flexibility in deployment for OEMs facing increasing platform complexity and supply chain volatility. It offers a production-ready device with extraordinary performance and energy efficiency, paired with the LLiMa toolchain that reduces integration effort and development time.
Nils Schanz, Executive Vice President, Product & Technology at Cerence, stated that the partnership represents a major leap forward in deploying efficient on-device AI for current and next-generation vehicles. Harald Kroeger, President of Automotive for SiMa.ai, echoed this sentiment, stating that the partnership presents a solution for voice control that understands the user like a human would, using LLMs.
This partnership comes at a time when current drivers expect smart and reliable in-car experiences, putting pressure on OEMs. By collaborating, Cerence and SiMa.ai aim to deliver a solution that not only meets but exceeds these expectations.
