Ambiq has developed breakthrough technology innovating battery-powered endpoint devices by reducing the total power consumed.
What made you jump at the opportunity of joining Scott Hanson at Ambiq?
With two decades of experience leading semiconductor companies, both private and public, I've learned to recognize truly exceptional innovation when I see it. Ambiq's technology immediately caught my attention because it challenged fundamental assumptions in our field. During my Computer Science and Electric Engineering studies at UC San Diego, I was taught that semiconductors required specific voltage thresholds to function reliably—a principle that seemed unshakeable at the time. However, Scott Hanson, Ambiq's founder, proved otherwise through his work on subthreshold power optimization. His approach demonstrated that circuits could operate effectively at much lower voltages while maintaining performance, contradicting what had been standard practice for decades. The implications of this breakthrough extend far beyond digital applications, offering potential benefits for analog circuits and virtually any connected device. When I saw how this innovation could transform the semiconductor industry, I knew that if we could scale this innovation, it would disrupt the entire semiconductor industry – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I couldn't pass up.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when scaling Ambiq, and how did you gain traction in the market?
Our founders built Ambiq to put intelligent devices everywhere. The concept of AI at the edge was not common. When I joined, Ambiq faced a classic innovator's dilemma: breakthrough technology with minimum revenue (battery of smart devices had less than a day or two of the battery life and it was okay for most customers). Ambiq needed to prioritize technological excellence over commercial viability first — a needed but challenging starting point. Our first strategic pivot was identifying markets where our power-efficiency innovation would create immediate, tangible value. The 2016 partnership with Misfit (now a part of Google) and then Huawei proved transformative. By integrating our chips into their smart wearables, including smart bands, smartwatches, and smart locks, they became our first major validation in the real world for the momentum to come. Our technology has become the MUST-have technology in smart devices, now 'the edge AI' products.
Breaking into the U.S. market meant challenging a common assumption: consumers were perfectly happy charging their smartwatches every night, just like their phones. Then came our partnership with Misfit and Huawei, whose devices showcased what seemed impossible at the time —smart devices that could run for five full days on a single charge. It was a wake-up call for the industry. The market response was swift and decisive. Today, our power-efficient chips drive more than 250 million devices worldwide, proving that sometimes it takes an outsider to show just how much room for improvement there really is.
How does Ambiq's subthreshold technology make a difference in the wearables and IoT markets, and how have you challenged industry norms?
We've achieved something remarkable in the semiconductor industry: circuits that operate at just 0.4 volts instead of the standard 1.8 volts. This isn't just an incremental improvement—it's a fundamental reimagining of how chips can work. By drastically reducing the power needed for each operation, we've helped transform what's possible in battery-powered devices. Now, leading smart devices can offer four weeks of battery life, shattering the old limitations of daily charging. Most impressively, this dramatic improvement in power efficiency doesn't force trade-offs—our customers are actually adding more features while maintaining these extended battery lives.
Our innovation challenged a deeply rooted industry mindset of "good enough." The market had settled for daily charging, with companies assuming consumers would accept this limitation as they had with smartphones. But our technology proved this "good enough" approach was anything but. As devices featuring our chips began delivering multi-day battery life, consumer expectations shifted dramatically. Today, our subthreshold technology isn't just extending battery life—it's enabling sophisticated Edge AI capabilities in battery-powered devices, showing that long-lasting power and advanced features don't have to be a trade-off. It is the must-have technology for Edge AI applications.
How do you protect your technology from being copied, and what steps have you taken to stay ahead of competitors?
We employ a strategic approach to protecting our intellectual property. While we have secured numerous patents, we've deliberately maintained some of our most critical innovations as trade secrets. This decision reflects the reality that patent filings require public disclosure, which can create vulnerabilities in regions with limited IP enforcement. Our core technology remains safeguarded by a select group of experts at Ambiq. The complexity of our approach is evident in how even leading foundries like TSMC chose to partner with us to enhance their 22-node process rather than develop similar capabilities independently.
Our fourteen-year journey pioneering subthreshold technology has built expertise that can't simply be replicated by studying patents or reverse-engineering chips. The sophistication of our approach attracted major global companies as investors who recognized they could gain more value through partnership than competition. What makes our technology particularly unique is its intricate choreography of interdependent processes—mastering any single element isn't enough. This deep technical moat, combined with our relentless drive to innovate, has secured our position as the leader in ultra-low-power semiconductor technology.
What is your vision for Ambiq in 2030, and how do you see the company evolving over the next few years?
In addition to the edge AI Market, we envision Ambiq continuing to drive innovation across multiple industries, expanding beyond microcontrollers into Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and AI chips.
Our groundbreaking technology has the potential to reduce energy consumption in data centers and consumer electronics by 5-10% globally – an impact equivalent to eliminating the power demand of several nuclear plants. Through strategic partnerships and continued innovation, we aim to make all types of technology more energy-efficient, contributing significantly to worldwide sustainability efforts.
One of our most transformative frontiers is Edge AI, where we're enabling solutions for an unprecedented demographic shift in global aging. We envision revolutionizing healthcare through next-generation wearables that transcend simple tracking devices to become sophisticated medical-grade tools. These devices will harness our advanced technology to provide continuous, clinical-grade monitoring of vital signs - from glucose levels to heart rhythms and blood oxygen - with the reliability of hospital equipment but the convenience of everyday accessories. In hearing assistance, we're redefining what's possible: imagine hearing aids that act like tiny AI-powered computers, instantaneously adapting to changing environments, filtering out unwanted noise, and focusing on desired sounds - all while maintaining exceptional battery life. Our breakthrough ultra-low-power technology is the key enabler of these AI capabilities, unlocking a future where intelligent, energy-efficient devices don't just monitor health but actively enhance the quality of life for millions worldwide.
What keeps you up at night as you manage Ambiq's rapid growth and navigate new opportunities?
My primary concern centers on execution excellence as we scale. While market demand for our technology is robust, the real challenge lies in consistently delivering breakthrough innovations on schedule. Our customers depend on us to develop and deliver next-generation technology that powers their product roadmaps. Given the unique energy efficiency our chips provide, any delay in our product launches can significantly impact our customers' market timing and competitive position.
The stakes are particularly high because we're not just another component supplier – we're a critical enabler of our customers' innovation. Our ultra-low-power technology is essential for their next-generation Edge AI products, with no comparable alternatives in the market. This position of trust comes with immense responsibility. I'm constantly focused on ensuring we have the right processes, talent, and resources in place to meet our commitments while maintaining the exceptional quality and innovation that set us apart.
What drives me is not just meeting deadlines, but continuing to push the boundaries of what's possible in energy-efficient computing. We must balance the urgency of current deliverables with the need to stay ahead of the curve, investing in future innovations that will keep our customers competitive in an increasingly dynamic market.
How will Ambiq's technology shape the consumer experience in the coming years, and what new possibilities do you see on the horizon?
The next few years will bring transformative changes as Edge AI becomes seamlessly integrated into our daily lives. Imagine smart glasses that can subtly assist you during social interactions - recognizing faces, providing gentle reminders about past conversations, and enhancing human connections in natural, unobtrusive ways. This technology will be particularly impactful for an aging population, offering cognitive support that helps people maintain their independence and social relationships longer.
At the heart of this revolution is our breakthrough in energy efficiency. While traditional AI implementations demand enormous power - with some companies contemplating dedicated nuclear power plants for their data centers - our technology takes a fundamentally different approach. We're enabling sophisticated AI capabilities to run directly on edge devices with minimal power consumption. This isn't just a technical achievement; it's a paradigm shift that opens up entirely new possibilities across multiple domains.
Consider how this will transform daily life: the Edge AI products that provide personalized health insights without constant charging, smart homes that intelligently adapt to your needs while minimizing energy use, and agricultural systems that optimize resource usage through AI-driven decisions. In manufacturing, our technology will power the next generation of intelligent sensors and controls, while in transportation, it will enable more sophisticated and efficient mobility solutions. The common thread across all these applications is the ability to deliver increasingly immersive and intelligent features without compromising on battery life or sustainability.
Our vision is to make technology more intuitive and human-centric, where the complexity of AI becomes invisible, and the benefits become an effortless part of everyday life. This is about more than just technical advancement - it's about enriching human experiences and enabling a more sustainable future.
