NXP Semiconductors announced on November 10 the launch of an integrated robotics platform that combines AI computing, sensing, network connectivity, motor control, and energy management. The platform targets unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and physical AI applications, with the company stating that pre-integrated software and verified subsystems can reduce integration validation processes from months to days or weeks. The first batch of reference designs focuses on drones, with plans to expand support for service robots and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). As robots transition from controlled environments into daily life and work settings, development challenges encompass environmental perception, real-time response, and safe operation, necessitating integrated approaches to information security and functional safety from the design stage.
NXP Adopts Neural Axis Architecture for Distributed Robot Control
NXP's robotics platform employs a neural axis architecture with layered, distributed design that connects sensing, real-time control, AI inference, and communication functions. The architecture incorporates information security and functional safety into a common hardware and software development foundation. Jerome Legros, Vice President and General Manager of NXP's Robotics Business Unit, stated that as autonomous robots increasingly enter spaces where people live and work, trust has become a necessary condition for widespread adoption. Developers must consider cybersecurity, functional safety, real-time control, and full lifecycle reliability from the initial design stage to support robot operation in real-world environments.
Platform Integrates Open-Source SDK with ROS2 and Hardware Reference Designs
On the software side, the new platform provides an open-source, modular software development kit (SDK) that integrates open-source technologies including ROS2, PX4, and Zephyr, covering drivers, middleware, reference applications, and configuration tools. Development teams can first evaluate individual subsystems such as motor control, then progressively add AI perception, flight control, and navigation functions, reducing the engineering investment required for cross-system integration.
The hardware encompasses major drone functions including autonomous computing, flight management, intelligent sensor networks, and motor control. NavQ95 uses the i.MX95 application processor for autonomous computing and flight control, while other reference designs pair with i.MX RT and MCX series microcontrollers to support flight management, sensor connectivity, and motor drive respectively, connecting different functions through a common architecture. NXP indicated that with the SDK and reference designs ready for prototype development, developers can achieve initial drone functionality within 30 minutes of unboxing, then add autonomous operation capabilities according to product requirements, shortening the time from function evaluation to prototype design.
Partners Highlight Rapid Prototyping and Performance Requirements
James McClearen, Chief Technology Officer of partner blueflite, stated that the drone market and customer demands change rapidly, and a foundation that can be directly applied to product development helps accelerate the evaluation of new concepts and prototype design. Srdjan Kovačević, CEO of Orqa, noted that high-performance drones require not only processing power but also efficient communication between computing components, predictable operating behavior, and low latency.
NXP Plans Additional Autonomous System Support by Second Half of 2027
NXP has released drone reference designs and accompanying SDK. Additional support functions for other autonomous systems are scheduled for release in the second half of 2027. Subsequent deployments will cover service robots, AMRs, and autonomous systems with AI inference capabilities, expanding the application scope of processors, microcontrollers, and connectivity components.
FAQ
What did NXP announce on November 10?
NXP Semiconductors announced the launch of an integrated robotics platform that combines AI computing, sensing, network connectivity, motor control, and energy management, targeting unmanned aerial vehicles and physical AI applications.
How does NXP's platform reduce development time?
NXP states that pre-integrated software and verified subsystems can reduce integration validation processes from months to days or weeks. With the SDK and reference designs, developers can achieve initial drone functionality within 30 minutes of unboxing.
When will NXP release additional support for other autonomous systems?
Additional support functions for autonomous systems beyond drones are scheduled for release in the second half of 2027, covering service robots, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and autonomous systems with AI inference capabilities.
