Kendrytes

Kendrytes are a family of edge AI processors designed by Kendryte Technology, a Chinese semiconductor company. The Kendryte processors are built around a dual-core or higher-rate RISC-V CPU with an integrated neural network accelerator (KPU), enabling on-device AI inference in compact embedded devices. They are targeted at low-power, cost-sensitive applications such as IoT devices and hobbyist development boards.

Notable model: Kendryte K210, a dual-core 64-bit RISC-V SoC with an integrated KPU. It supports CNN inference for computer vision tasks and is widely used in open hardware platforms like the Sipeed Maix series.

Development ecosystem: Kendryte provides a software development kit (SDK) with C/C++ support; community projects have produced drivers and examples for cameras, neural networks, and other peripherals. The Maix ecosystem has served as a primary testing ground for Kendryte technology and has helped popularize its use in maker and education communities.

Applications: Kendrytes are employed in edge AI, smart cameras, robotics, voice-enabled devices, and educational projects. They are commonly chosen for low-power, low-cost AI tasks where on-device processing reduces latency and preserves privacy.

Market and outlook: Kendrytes occupy a niche within the broader AI accelerator landscape, appealing to developers and hobbyists seeking affordable on-device AI capabilities. Public information about corporate structure or revenue is limited, and adoption tends to be strongest in maker, prototyping, and academic contexts.