Photonics, the technology that uses light for data processing, is gaining attention as the demand for faster computing power increases with the rise of artificial intelligence. Akhetonics, a German startup, has recently secured a €6 million seed funding round to develop all-optical chips, a new type of chip that has the potential to revolutionize computing.
Unlike other companies working on photonics-related solutions, Akhetonics is focusing on building a general-purpose chip that can be used for a variety of tasks and software applications. The company’s approach is unique in that it combines optical and digital technologies, making it compatible with existing workloads and suitable for high-performance real-time applications like networking, avionics, and space technology.
One of the key advantages of using photonics in chip design is energy efficiency, which is becoming increasingly important due to geopolitical concerns surrounding chip production. Akhetonics’ co-founder and CEO, Michael Kissner, highlighted the diversity of the company’s supply chain as a strategic advantage that could enable local production of high-performance chips.
While some investors remain skeptical about the feasibility of general-purpose optical chips, Akhetonics’ lead investor, Matterwave Ventures, believes that the time is right for this technology to enter the market. The company plans to release its first commercial product next year, thanks to previous funding rounds that have demonstrated the feasibility of their approach.
By rethinking chip architecture and optimizing design principles, Akhetonics aims to reduce production costs and streamline the development process. This cost-effective approach, combined with a focus on local production and supply chains, sets Akhetonics apart from traditional AI chip manufacturers who rely on overseas production facilities.
Despite lingering questions about the commercial demand for high-performance computing, Akhetonics and other companies in the photonics space remain committed to developing all-optical chips as the future of computing technology. With a strong focus on innovation and a mission to democratize high-performance computing, Akhetonics is poised to make a significant impact on the industry in the coming years.
