What Is an NPU? What Does It Do in AI Applications?

An NPU (Neural Processing Unit) is a special processing unit designed to accelerate neural network and artificial intelligence operations. It can be used especially to run supported AI models with lower energy consumption.

NPUs are found alongside the CPU or GPU in some computers. Directing tasks to the appropriate processing unit can improve the system's performance and energy efficiency.

In industrial applications, an NPU can be considered in the following areas:

• Object recognition in images
• Anomaly detection
• Local AI inference (edge AI inference)
• Classification of sensor data
• Running supported machine learning models

However, having an NPU does not mean a computer can run all AI applications. The operation types the model uses, the software framework, drivers and operating system support must be compatible.

NPU, GPU or CPU?

• The CPU is suitable for general-purpose operations and a wide variety of software tasks.
• The GPU can be strong in intensive parallel computing and supported AI models.
• The NPU is designed to run supported AI tasks in an energy-efficient way.

The right choice depends on the computing needs of the model to be used, the performance expectations and hardware-software compatibility.