Tokyo (Japan) 

TDK Corporation, on January 4, 2023, announced that it has agreed to acquire Qeexo Co, a US-based venture-backed company spun out of Carnegie Mellon University engaged in the automation of end-to-end machine learning (ML) for edge devices. As a result of the acquisition, Qeexo will become a wholly owned subsidiary of TDK, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS).

Qeexo, based in Mountain View, California, USA, is the first company to automate end-to-end machine learning for edge devices. Qeexo AutoML enables a no-code environment, enabling data collection and training of 18 (and expanding) different machine learning algorithms, including both neural networks and non-neural-networks, to the same dataset, while generating metrics for each (accuracy, memory size, latency), so that users can pick the model that best fits their unique requirements. A cloud-based easy to use solution, it provides an intuitive UI platform system that allows users to collect, annotate, cleanse, and visualise sensor data and automatically build “tinyML” models using different algorithms.

Qeexo’s AutoML platform allows customers to leverage sensor data to rapidly build machine learning solutions optimised to have ultra-low latency and power consumption, with an incredibly small memory footprint for highly constrained environments with applications in industrial, IoT, wearables, automotive, mobile, and more. Through streamlined intuitive process automation, Qeexo’s AutoML enables customers without precious ML resources and greatly accelerates design of Edge AI capabilities for their own specific applications.

Jim Tran, CEO, TDK USA Corporation, said, “Qeexo brings together a unique combination of expertise in automating machine learning application development and deployment for those without ML expertise, high volume shipment of ML applications and understanding of sensors to accelerate the deployment of smart edge solutions. Their expertise combined with TDK’s leadership positions in sensors, batteries and other critical components will enable the creation of system level solutions addressing a broad range of applications and industries.”

Sang Lee, CEO, Qeexo, added, “Our platform is an outgrowth of our own history of high-volume ML application development and deployment enabling those with domain expertise but not ML expertise to solve real world problems quickly and efficiently. We see our AutoML tool as a natural partner to the smarter sensor systems that TDK is building.”

TDK Corporation is a world leader in electronic solutions for the smart society based in Tokyo, Japan. Built on a foundation of material sciences mastery, TDK welcomes societal transformation by resolutely remaining at the forefront of technological evolution and deliberately “Attracting Tomorrow”. It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. TDK‘s comprehensive, innovation-driven portfolio features passive components such as ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, as well as magnetics, high-frequency, and piezo and protection devices. The product spectrum also includes sensors and sensor systems such as temperature and pressure, magnetic, and MEMS sensors. In addition, TDK provides power supplies and energy devices, magnetic heads and more. These products are marketed under the product brands TDK, EPCOS, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics and TDK-Lambda. TDK focuses on demanding markets in automotive, industrial and consumer electronics, and information and communication technology. The company has a network of design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America. In fiscal 2022, TDK posted total sales of $ 15.6 billion and employed about 117,000 people worldwide.