The HiKey970 is an advanced AI development board featuring the HiSilicon Kirin 970 SoC, which includes the HiAI architecture and a dedicated Neural-network Processing Unit (NPU). This board is designed to accelerate AI capabilities and is particularly suitable for developers looking to create AI-based applications.
Key Features
- Processor: The HiKey970 is powered by the HiSilicon Kirin 970 SoC, which includes an ARM Cortex-A73 quad-core CPU running at up to 2.36GHz and an ARM Cortex-A53 quad-core CPU running at up to 1.8GHz. It also features the ARM Mali-G72 MP12 GPU for high-performance graphics processing.
- Memory and Storage: The board comes with 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64GB of UFS 2.1 storage, providing ample space and speed for AI applications.
- Connectivity: It supports Bluetooth, WiFi, and GPS, making it versatile for various IoT and AI projects.
- Expansion Interfaces: The HiKey970 includes multiple expansion interfaces, such as a 40-pin low-speed connector and a 60-pin high-speed connector, which support UART, SPI, I2S, I2C, GPIO, and MIPI interfaces.
- Video and Camera Support: It offers 1080p@60Hz HDMI output and multiple MIPI ports for camera input, enabling high-quality video processing and computer vision applications.
- Operating System Support: The board supports both Android and Linux, providing flexibility for different development environments.
AI Capabilities
The HiKey970 stands out due to its dedicated NPU, which significantly accelerates AI computations. This makes it ideal for developing applications such as intelligent cameras for smart cities, autonomous robots, and other AI-driven devices. The board’s HiAI SDK simplifies the development process by providing frequently used AI function APIs, model management APIs, and basic operator computing APIs, allowing developers to focus on creating innovative AI applications rather than performance tuning[1][3].
Applications
- Smart Cities: The HiKey970 can be used to develop AI-based intelligent cameras that transform video data into valuable insights, enhancing urban management and security.
- Robotics: With its excellent AI capabilities and support for the Robot Operating System (ROS), the HiKey970 enables the development of autonomous robots capable of perception, planning, and decision-making through deep reinforcement learning[1].
- General AI Development: The board’s powerful NPU and comprehensive SDK make it suitable for a wide range of AI applications, including image recognition, natural language processing, and predictive analytics.
Conclusion
The HiKey970 is a powerful and versatile AI development board that provides the necessary tools and performance for advanced AI applications. Its robust hardware, extensive connectivity options, and dedicated AI processing capabilities make it an excellent choice for developers looking to explore and innovate in the field of artificial intelligence[3][5].
For more detailed specifications and purchasing options, visit the 96Boards website[3].
Further Reading
1. https://www.96boards.org/product/hikey970/ai/
2. Strategies for Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Back-End Development | MoldStud
3. HiKey970 – 96Boards
4. Unleash Your AI Potential with the Best Development Board for Machine Learning
5. HiKey 970 Development Board – Seeed Studio