Deep Learning On A Stick: Movidius' 'Fathom' Neural Compute Stick

[Lucian Armasu]

Movidius announced its Fathom neural compute stick, which can improve the deep learning capabilities of an embedded device by orders of magnitude at less than 1.2W of power.

Deep Learning On A Stick: Movidius' 'Fathom' Neural Compute Stick : Read more

 

[jakjawagon]

The Fathom’s performance ranges from 80 to 150 GFLOPS, depending on the neural network’s complexity and precision (8-bit and 16-bit precision is supported). That performance requires less than 1.2W of power, which is more than 12 times as efficient as, for example, an Nvidia Tegra X1 processor.

OK, let's maths this out. The linked article says the Tegra X1 peaks at 1024 GFLOPS (FP16). At 15 watts, that's ~68.3 GFLOPS per watt. The Fathom gets 150 GFLOPS at 1.2 watts, making 125 GFLOPS per watt. Yes, quite a bit more efficient than the Tegra X1, but nowhere near the 12 times that the article says.

 

[spladam]

Well, I for one welcome our new overlord AI / App. Care to play a game of Tick Tack Toe?

 

[spladam]

Just saw my double post in the alerts, sorry.

 

[Co BIY]

Care to play a game of Tick Tack Toe?

The good outcome depicted in War Games depended on the "game" being unwinnable and the computer being ruthlessly rational. Once we give the AI some ability to bluff for advantage and take even reasonable risks along with the a more normal scenario that includes some possibility of winning the fictional future could be much more dangerous.

 

[jacklongley]

Yeah, but can it play Crysis? #obligatory