Zhuhai-made AI chip begins in-orbit testing in Mengtian space lab

Several Yulong 810A chips, made by Zhuhai Orbita Aerospace Science & Technology, were carried into space for testing by the Tianzhou 6 cargo spacecraft, which launched on May 10.

Gong Yuhong, deputy general manager of Tangjiawan-based Zhuhai Orbita Aerospace Science & Technology, said that the chips will be installed in the Mengtian space lab module, where they will go through components and systems testing. This is the space station's first in-orbit testing of components and systems since it began operation.

The testing will cover artificial intelligence algorithm execution, AI model switching, and component reliability detection. This will provide statistics support for the further application of Yulong chips in space, as well as improve the space station's AI systems.

Yulong 810A chip [Photo by Wu Changfu / Guanhai App]

The Yulong 810A chips have gone through more than two years of design, production, and testing to get to this point. They have now reached global leading levels in large computing power, low power consumption, and high reliability.

Apart from aerospace, these chips have a wide range of applications in areas of intelligent security, robotics, intelligent manufacturing, and intelligent transportation.

The most typical application for these chips in the space relates to in-orbit identification on satellites, according to Gong. They allow satellites to take pictures while carrying out identification processes, increasing the satellites' working efficiency and saving the communication bandwidth between Earth and the space.

Gong added that the upgraded version of the Yulong 810A chip is currently in the research and development stage, and that it is expected to make more contributions to China's aerospace industry.