On December 18, JIC Technology Investment Co., Ltd. ("JIC Tech-inv"), an investment arm of China Jianyin Investment Ltd. ("JIC"), completed A plus-series strategic investment in Horizon Robotics, which marks a major strategic move of JIC in the field of artificial intelligence. Other investors in this series include Intel and Harvest Investments, with a total investment of over USD 100 million.

Founded in 2015, Horizon Robotics is a global leader in embedded AI. It’s committed to providing fully open embedded AI solutions featuring high performance, low power consumption and low cost. It’s the pioneer in the industry to put forward the notion of “Algorithm + chips”. By developing embedded ultra-low power consuming AI processors for co-optimization of hardware and software, Horizon Robotics seeks to offer "brain" solution for autonomous driving.

Horizon Robotics mainly addresses application scenarios such as smart driving, smart living and smart cities. It looks to embed a “brain” on such devices as autonomous cars and smart cameras so that they will be intelligent enough to perceive, interact, understand and make decisions, thus enabling safer, more convenient and more interesting life.

At present, Horizon Robotics has wrapped up the algorithm architecture, chip design, verification and tape-out of the first-generation of BPU (Brain Processing Unit) and started the research and development of the second-generation of BPU.
JIC Tech-inv is the equity investment arm of JIC in terms of new generation of information technology and the "Internet +" industry. Its investment aims to upgrade information technology and transform traditional industries via information technology, with a primary focus on investment opportunities in the field of big data, Internet of things, AI and information security.

Now, the development of AI has been upgraded to be a national strategy and has become the new focus of international competition. AI is not only the new engine of economic growth, but also the core driver of the new round of industrial transformation. With the gradual integration of AI and industries, AI is migrating from cloud to devices. Offering AI chips with low power consumption and high computing power that meet the needs of devices is vital to the further development of AI industry in China.

Horizon Robotics boasts a technology team with strong R&D capability and extensive industrial experience. Its commitment to the integration of hardware and software featuring "algorithm + chip" will enhance the intelligence of domestic autonomous driving and smart security industry and fuel industrial transformation.

JIC Tech-inv will join hands with Horizon Robotics to boost the innovation of AI technology so that AI could empower more sectors, and to promote the deep integration of AI and real economy.