With Thus™, ANKER INNOVATIONS is presenting its own AI chip platform for the first time, setting a clear signal for the future of local artificial intelligence in end devices. The new ANKER Thus AI chip has been specially developed to run neural network AI directly on the device – without a permanent cloud connection and with significantly higher energy efficiency. Particularly noteworthy: the chip is produced within ANKER’s global manufacturing network in Germany. The technology will initially be used in the audio sector, but mobile accessories and IoT products are also planned in the future.
- With Thus™, ANKER presents its own AI chip platform for local AI for the first time
- Thus AI chip is produced in Germany within the global manufacturing network
- First application is in the audio sector, in particular for premium headphones from soundcore
- Up to 150 times more AI computing power for noise cancellation compared to previous high-end models
ANKER Thus AI chip relies on new architecture for local artificial intelligence
With the Thus AI chip, ANKER is consciously moving away from the classic von Neumann architecture that has formed the basis of modern computers for around 80 years. In this traditional structure, the memory and computing unit are physically separated. This principle works efficiently for classic applications, but a massive problem arises with neural networks: the model parameters have to be constantly moved between the memory and processor. Especially in small devices such as headphones, this data transport leads to enormous energy consumption.
ANKER is therefore pursuing a so-called compute-in-memory approach with Thus™. The computing power is integrated directly into NOR flash memory cells so that model parameters no longer need to be permanently shifted. This principle was inspired by the way the human brain works, where storage and processing also take place in the same place.
This not only significantly reduces energy requirements, but also saves space on the chip. According to ANKER, the NOR flash-based compute-in-memory system only requires around a sixth of the space of SRAM-based alternatives. This advantage is particularly important for compact end devices such as in-ear headphones. This makes powerful local AI economically feasible for the first time, even in particularly small devices.
Thus AI chip starts in headphones and significantly improves clear calls
The first product category for the ANKER Thus AI chip is headphones – a particularly demanding field of application for AI hardware. Here, functions such as active noise cancellation and speech enhancement must run continuously with minimal energy consumption. Until now, such devices were usually limited to smaller neural networks with a few hundred thousand parameters.
The new Thus™ chip raises this limit significantly and supports several million parameters across different workloads. According to ANKER, this enables up to 150 times more AI computing power in ambient noise suppression compared to previous high-end headphones from soundcore.
One of the first functions is “Clear Calls”, a new solution for improving voice quality during phone calls. Instead of classic Environmental Noise Cancellation with rule-based signal processing, a large neural network is used directly on the device. The system is supported by eight MEMS microphones and two bone sound sensors that isolate the speaker’s voice more precisely based on physical vibrations.
Especially in noisy environments such as airports, bars or busy streets, this should ensure much clearer conversations. ANKER plans to officially present further products and functions relating to Thus™ at ANKER Day on May 21, 2026 in New York.
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Conclusion
With the ANKER Thus AI chip, the company is taking an important step towards local AI on end devices. Production in Germany also underlines the strategic importance of the European market. The audio sector in particular is already showing how much energy-efficient AI chips can improve the user experience. Prices for the first products with Thus™ have not yet been announced; further details are to follow at ANKER Day in May 2026.
