Google comes up with devices to test new AI features

Google is reportedly ready to launch several new hardware platforms aimed at making it easier for developers to test new AI features. Google would launch three new devices under the new brand name Coral.

The devices were discovered by Hackster on a webpage that seems to have been set up to promote them when Google actually launches the products. This includes a development board that will cost 149 dollars (132.8 euros), a USB accelerator for 75 dollars (66.8 euros). Google will also launch a camera add-on with a resolution of five megapixels that can be placed on the development board and will cost 25 dollars (22.2 euros).

Extensive testing

The first two items contain Google’s Edge TPU chips. These are small ASIC processors that can run AI models and do so more efficiently than traditional chips. They also run on TensorFlow Lite, a slimmed-down version of Google’s AI software designed for mobile and IoT devices.

The products will help AI developers to develop new services. With these new products, Google is placing particular emphasis on the last part of the development process. The Coral products therefore come into view after a developer has built an AI service and it is ready for testing.

Good timing

If Google really comes up with these products in the short term, this may be well timed. Intel will soon be offering similar products of its own. That company wants to launch the Neural Compute Stick USB Accelerator. However, Coral will soon enter the market. Google is reportedly currently preparing for a new event where it wants to launch the products for both developers and consumers.

Earlier it was expected that Google would launch the products during the TensorFlow Dev Summit. This took place over the past two days, but the new Coral products did not materialize. The company will probably come up with a separate event.