In today’s industrial environments, where safety, efficiency, and digital transformation converge, voice recognition has become a powerful tool. Whether enabling hands-free operation or secure access control, voice interfaces are reshaping human–machine interaction. Synaptics Astra Machina SL1680 Development Kit (020-0007) stands out as an ideal foundation for building reliable, secure, and high-performance voice recognition at the edge.
What’s Inside the Synaptics Astra Machina SL1680 Development Kit?
The kit is built around the SL1680 SoC, featuring:
- Quad-core Arm Cortex-A73 processor – Excellent for handling OS-level operations and real-time control.
- 7.9 TOPS Neural Processing Unit (NPU) – Enables fast, low-latency AI inference for voice recognition models.
- High-performance Audio DSP – Supports far-field voice capture, echo cancellation, beamforming, and wake-word detection.
- Integrated Security Module (BCM) – Provides hardware-based cryptographic operations, critical for biometric voice authentication.
- Flexible I/O (USB 3.0, Ethernet, I²C, UART, GPIO) – Simplifies connection to industrial systems like HMIs, PLCs, or IoT gateways.
- Camera and audio input interfaces – Supports multimodal sensing when voice is combined with visual cues.
Example Use-Cases in Industry
1. Hands-Free Operator Control
Scenario: A machine operator issues commands like “activate press,” “pause operation,” or “open safety gate” using voice only.
SL1680 Advantage:
- The Audio DSP with beamforming and noise suppression allows reliable voice capture even in noisy factory floors.
- The NPU runs offline command recognition in real-time, ensuring ultra-low latency without cloud dependence.
- GPIO/UART interfaces can trigger machinery or send control signals directly to PLCs.
2. Voice-Driven Data Logging and Reporting
Scenario: Maintenance personnel perform inspections while logging results vocally: “Compressor 3—pressure reading normal.”
SL1680 Advantage:
- Multichannel microphone array support captures nuanced voice input across a distance.
- The Cortex-A73 CPU and Linux OS allow integration with industrial software (e.g., OPC UA clients or local databases).
- The USB 3.0 or Ethernet interface lets it sync logged data with a centralised SCADA system or cloud dashboard.
3. Voice Biometric Authentication for Access Control
Scenario: Engineers access secure equipment lockers or workstations with the phrase, “Unlock—Supervisor John.”
SL1680 Advantage:
- NPU and on-device AI process biometric voiceprints securely on-device, reducing risk of interception.
- Base Crypto Module (BCM) stores and verifies encrypted identity credentials.
- Low-latency response enables access control that feels seamless and frictionless.
4. Multimodal Quality Inspection Stations
Scenario: A line worker verifies part placements visually via camera, then gives a vocal confirmation like “OK to proceed.”
SL1680 Advantage:
- Dual-camera and audio input support enables concurrent visual and voice processing.
- The NPU handles both image recognition and keyword spotting simultaneously.
- Linux SDK allows developers to create custom multimodal inspection apps running locally.
Deployment Roadmap
1. Prototype Stage
What to do: Use the built-in audio and AI SDKs to create a proof of concept voice-recognition app with wake-word and command recognition.
Relevant hardware features:
- Built-in microphone interfaces and Audio DSP
- Access to Linux/Android OS development tools
2. Model Training & Optimisation
What to do: Train custom voice models to handle industrial terminology, regional accents, and background noise. Use the NPU for on-device inference.
Relevant hardware features:
- 7.9 TOPS NPU for real-time inference
- On-device model deployment for privacy and performance
- Access to Synaptics AI toolkit
3. Integration with Industrial Equipment
What to do: Interface the SL1680 with PLCs or robotic systems. Trigger actions based on voice commands.
Relevant hardware features:
- UART/I²C/GPIO for control signal output
- Ethernet/USB 3.0 for connection to industrial networks or HMIs
4. Security Hardening
What to do: Implement voiceprint authentication and secure communication protocols.
Relevant hardware features:
- Base Crypto Module for encryption, key storage, and secure boot
- Hardware-based random number generator for authentication protocols
5. Pilot Deployment & Field Testing
What to do: Deploy a test system in an operational environment. Measure latency, noise resilience, and usability.
Relevant hardware features:
- Far-field voice pickup and wake-word detection
- Dual-microphone beamforming
- Full system integration with external devices through USB, Ethernet, or GPIO
6. Scaling and Fleet Management
What to do: Manage multiple SL1680 units across different lines or locations. Use OTA updates for firmware or model updates.
Relevant hardware features:
- Ethernet or USB access for remote updates
- Persistent local storage for logging and buffering data
Conclusion
The Synaptics Astra Machina SL1680 Development Kit (020-0007) offers an exceptional blend of AI acceleration, audio fidelity, and industrial-grade connectivity. With it, developers can rapidly design, prototype, and deploy robust voice recognition systems directly at the edge—eliminating latency, boosting reliability, and enhancing security.
From command-and-control to biometric authentication and smart inspections, the SL1680 isn’t just capable—it’s ideal for modern industrial voice-driven applications.
For more information on the Synaptics Astra Machina Development Kits, check out our Development Kits Hub and watch the video below from Synaptics.
Got any questions? Reach out to us—we’d love to discuss your requirements and how Synaptics can support your industrial applications.
Comments