IA, Rebellions partner for domestic NPU-based AI data center 'NeoCube'

South Korean tech firms IA, IA Cloud, and Rebellions are joining forces to advance the nation's artificial intelligence infrastructure with the co-development and commercialization of 'NeoCube.' This compact, modular AI data center is designed to leverage domestically produced Neural Processing Units (NPUs), aiming to boost the localization rate of key AI technologies.

The NeoCube system integrates diverse AI computing elements, including GPUs and NPUs, alongside servers, storage, cloud operating software, power, and cooling systems, into a single, standardized unit. Its container-like design facilitates quick installation and phased expansion, catering to evolving demands. The partnership will integrate Rebellions' next-generation AI inference chips into the NeoCube, focusing on validating AI inference performance, power efficiency, operational stability, and scalability within actual data center settings.

Key aspects of the collaboration include co-validating AI computing equipment based on Rebellions' NPUs within NeoCube, joint development of next-generation products, and integrating IA Cloud's cloud operation and virtualization software. The companies will also establish a regular technical consultation body to share product roadmaps and explore joint business ventures both domestically and internationally.

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Through cooperation with Rebellions, we will verify domestic NPU-based AI inference infrastructure in actual environments and expand its application to fields requiring real-time AI infrastructure, such as autonomous driving, physical AI, digital healthcare, and defense, thereby increasing the localization rate to up to 95%.

IA Group plans to begin constructing its first phase of the NeoCube system at its Hwaseong demonstration complex in August, with subsequent expansion to a 100kW-class AI infrastructure. A second demonstration complex in Gwangju is targeted for completion in October. These facilities will sequentially implement specialized services for various industries, including predictive maintenance for defense, physical AI in manufacturing, and AI for bio-healthcare. The initiative aims to increase the localization rate of core components, including AI semiconductors, servers, cloud software, power, and cooling systems, to as high as 95%.

Rebellions highlighted the partnership's significance in establishing a foundation for utilizing domestic NPUs in diverse AI inference services within modular data center environments. IA Group expressed its commitment to verifying domestic NPU-based AI inference infrastructure in real-world scenarios and expanding its application to fields requiring real-time AI, such as autonomous driving, physical AI, digital healthcare, and defense, thereby maximizing the localization rate.

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This collaboration is meaningful in that it lays the groundwork for domestic NPUs to be utilized in various AI inference services within a modular data center environment.