On April 22, 2026, Anker, a renowned manufacturer of charging accessories, made a significant announcement regarding the launch of its independently developed Thus chip. This innovative chip is designed to integrate local artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities into audio devices, mobile accessories, and Internet of Things (IoT) products. Notably, the Thus chip stands as the world's pioneering neural network in-memory computing AI chip tailored specifically for audio applications. When compared to traditional chips, it boasts a more compact size and lower power consumption, rendering it an ideal choice for compact devices that face space and power limitations.

Anker's CEO, Yang Meng, highlighted that the Thus chip positions computation directly at the model's location, eliminating the need for constant data shuttling and thereby enhancing processing efficiency. The inaugural application of the Thus chip will be in soundcore's flagship earbuds. Thanks to its energy-efficient in-memory computing architecture, this chip can adeptly manage millions of parameters, bolster computing power, and more effectively mitigate complex environmental noise.

The first earbuds to be equipped with the Thus chip are expected to be the Liberty 5 Pro Max and Liberty 5 Pro, with projected prices set at $229.99 and $169.99, respectively. Anker is set to unveil further product details at the upcoming Anker Day event on May 21.