Core Insights - Xu Bing, co-founder of SenseTime, has established a new GPU chip company named Xiwang, marking a strategic shift for SenseTime as it focuses on AI chip development [2][3] - Xiwang aims to serve as the computational foundation within the SenseTime ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficient computing power in the era of AGI [2][12] - The company has secured nearly 1 billion yuan in its first round of financing, with notable investors including SANY Group and other established firms [2][11] Company Strategy - The establishment of Xiwang is part of SenseTime's "1+X" strategy, which involves restructuring to create independent entities focused on various emerging business areas [9][10] - SenseTime's AI chip development has a long history, with efforts dating back to 2018 aimed at reducing reliance on foreign chip manufacturers [6][12] - The new structure allows for more agile decision-making and financing opportunities for the independent entities within the ecosystem [9][10] Leadership and Team - Xu Bing has transitioned from his role at SenseTime to lead Xiwang as its chairman, focusing on strategic development and company culture [3][8] - The core team from SenseTime's chip division has been integrated into Xiwang, ensuring continuity and expertise in chip development [8][12] Market Context - The Chinese GPU market is characterized by high costs and challenges in profitability, yet interest in AI chip development remains strong [2][12] - The domestic AI chip market is expected to grow significantly, with projections indicating a 30% penetration rate for local brands by 2024 [20] Technological Development - Xiwang has achieved 100% independent intellectual property rights in its GPGPU technology, which includes the entire stack from instruction set definition to compiler toolchain [20] - SenseTime has developed several AI chips, including the S1 and S2, with the S3 chip expected to significantly reduce inference costs [16][20]
商汤新布局，融资10亿