Ceva Delivers Real-Time AI Acceleration on NXP's Processors for Software-Defined Vehicles

Rhea-AI Summary

Ceva (NASDAQ: CEVA) announced at CES 2026 that NXP integrated Ceva's SensPro AI DSP into its S32Z2 and S32E2 real-time processors to support software-defined vehicles. The integration targets real-time decision-making, sensor processing, AI inference, and control for domain and zonal controllers.

Use cases highlighted include predictive analytics for battery lifespan, predictive maintenance, driver monitoring, and in-cabin voice interfaces. The release cites a ResearchAndMarkets projection that the software-defined vehicle market could grow from $213.5B in 2024 to >$1.2T by 2030 (CAGR 34%).

News Market Reaction – CEVA

+2.42%

1 alert

+2.42% News Effect

On the day this news was published, CEVA gained 2.42%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

SDV market 2024: $213.5 billion SDV market 2030: over $1.2 trillion SDV market CAGR: 34%

3 metrics

SDV market 2024 $213.5 billion Global software-defined vehicle market size in 2024

SDV market 2030 over $1.2 trillion Projected global software-defined vehicle market in 2030

SDV market CAGR 34% Projected 2024–2030 CAGR for software-defined vehicles

Market Reality Check

Price: $18.76 Vol: Volume 324,829 is below t...

low vol

$18.76 Last Close

Volume Volume 324,829 is below the 608,362 20-day average (relative volume 0.53). low

Technical Price $23.15 is trading slightly below the $23.53 200-day moving average.

Peers on Argus

CEVA gained 3.26% while key peers were mixed: IMOS +1.48%, POET +1.92%, SKYT +8....

CEVA gained 3.26% while key peers were mixed: IMOS +1.48%, POET +1.92%, SKYT +8.68%, AIP +1.95%, and LAES -1.14%, suggesting a stock-specific reaction to the AI automotive partnership.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 05 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 05	Product award	Positive	+1.2%	Ceva‑XC21 IoT DSP won Best IP/Processor of the Year at EE Awards Asia.
Nov 18	Equity offering pricing	Negative	-14.5%	Priced 3,000,000-share common stock offering at $19.50 with 450,000-share option.
Nov 17	Equity offering launch	Negative	-4.0%	Announced commencement of 3,000,000-share underwritten public offering with overallotment.
Nov 17	Product award	Positive	-4.0%	NeuPro–Nano NPU received 2025 IoT Edge Computing Excellence Award for low-power AI.
Nov 13	Licensing deal	Positive	-8.5%	IntelPro licensed Ceva Wi‑Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 IPs for AIoT SoCs with Matter support.

Pattern Detected

Equity offerings drew sharp selloffs, while product and partnership news produced mixed reactions, with some positive AI/IP announcements coinciding with price declines.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, CEVA mixed product wins and capital raises. Awards for Ceva‑XC21 and NeuPro–Nano, plus an IntelPro licensing deal, highlighted traction in IoT and edge AI, yet shares sometimes fell on these announcements. In mid‑November 2025, CEVA launched and priced a 3,000,000‑share offering at $19.50, triggering drops of -4.03% and -14.5%. Against this backdrop, the new NXP collaboration extends CEVA’s AI DSP reach into automotive real‑time processors.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights CEVA’s SensPro AI DSP integration into NXP’s S32Z2 and S32E2 automotive...

Analysis

This announcement highlights CEVA’s SensPro AI DSP integration into NXP’s S32Z2 and S32E2 automotive processors, targeting the software-defined vehicle market projected at over $1.2 trillion by 2030 with a 34% CAGR. Historically, AI-related news for CEVA produced an average move of 2.44%, with mixed individual reactions. Investors may monitor design-win breadth, automotive customer adoption, and how this complements ongoing edge AI and IoT partnerships.

Key Terms

software-defined vehicle, cagr

2 terms

software-defined vehicle technical

"demand for real-time processing, safety, and intelligence is accelerating. Ceva...for software-defined vehicles."

A software-defined vehicle is a car whose capabilities, performance and user features are driven primarily by software running on its electronic systems rather than fixed mechanical parts, similar to how a smartphone gains new features through apps and updates. For investors this matters because revenue and value can shift from one-time hardware sales to ongoing software services, faster feature upgrades and broader aftermarket opportunities, while introducing dependencies on software development, cybersecurity and regulatory compliance.

cagr financial

"to over $1.2 trillion by 2030, at a CAGR of 34%(1), as automakers adopt"

Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) measures the average yearly growth of an investment, revenue, or other metric over a multi-year period as if it had grown at a steady rate each year. Think of it like the constant speed that would take you from the starting value to the ending value over the same time—useful because it smooths out ups and downs and lets investors compare different assets or performance periods on an even footing.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Integration of Ceva's AI DSP in NXP's S32Z2 and S32E2 real-time processors enables predictive analytics, energy management and intelligent control for software-defined vehicles

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CES 2026 -- As vehicles evolve into software-defined platforms, the demand for real-time processing, safety, and intelligence is accelerating. Ceva, Inc. (NASDAQ: CEVA), the leading licensor of silicon and software IP for the Smart Edge, today announced that NXP® Semiconductors has integrated Ceva's AI DSP into its S32Z2 and S32E2 processors, designed to power the next generation of real-time domain and zonal control modules in software-defined vehicles.

According to ResearchAndMarkets, the global software-defined vehicle market is projected to grow from $213.5 billion in 2024 to over $1.2 trillion by 2030, at a CAGR of 34%⁽¹⁾, as automakers adopt centralized compute architectures and monetize software-driven features. This transformation is fueling demand for real-time processors like NXP's S32Z2 and S32E2, which provide the compute efficiency needed for high performance, deterministic, safety-critical control with AI inference in a multi-application environment.

At the core of this strategy, NXP's S32Z2 and S32E2 families leverage Ceva's SensPro AI DSP technology to deliver real-time decision-making and intelligent perception, enabling vehicles to interpret their environment and respond with precision. Applications such as predictive analytics for extended battery lifespan, predictive vehicle maintenance, driver monitoring and in-cabin voice-controlled interfaces can all be enabled through Ceva's SensPro AI DSP.

"The S32Z2 and S32E2 series are designed to meet the stringent performance, safety, and scalability requirements of next-generation vehicles," said Robert Moran, Vice President and General Manager, Automotive Processors at NXP. "By integrating Ceva's AI DSP, we deliver the machine learning and AI capabilities our customers need to accelerate innovation in real-time compute applications for software-defined vehicles."

"As vehicles become increasingly connected and intelligent, the ability to process sensor data and apply AI in real time is critical," said Amir Panush, Chief Executive Officer of Ceva. "Our collaboration with NXP brings the power of our AI DSP platform to one of the most advanced automotive real-time processors in the industry, helping accelerate the transition to software-defined vehicles."

Ceva's SensPro AI DSP architecture includes a family of DSP/ML processors that are optimized for sensor processing, AI inference, and control algorithms, delivering exceptional performance per watt within the stringent power and safety requirements of automotive applications. For more information, visit https://www.ceva-ip.com/product/ceva-senspro2/

(1)Source: https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5879661/software-defined-vehicle-market-sdv-type-semi

About Ceva, Inc.
Ceva powers the Smart Edge, bridging the digital and physical worlds to bring AI-driven products to life. Our Ceva AI fabric portfolio of silicon and software IP enables devices to Connect, Sense, and Infer – the essential capabilities for the intelligent edge. From 5G, cellular IoT, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and UWB connectivity to scalable Edge AI NPUs, AI DSPs, sensor fusion processors and embedded software, Ceva provides the foundational IP for devices that connect, understand their environment, and act in real time.

With more than 20 billion devices shipped and trusted by 400+ customers worldwide, Ceva is the backbone of today's most advanced smart edge products - from AI-infused wearables and IoT devices to autonomous vehicles and 5G infrastructure. Our differentiated solutions deliver seamless integration into existing design flows, total flexibility to combine solutions based on design needs and ultra–low–power performance in minimal silicon footprint, helping customers accelerate development, reduce risk, and bring innovative products to market faster. As technology evolves toward Physical AI, Ceva's IP portfolio lays the foundation for systems that are always connected, contextually aware, and capable of intelligent, real-time decision-making.

Visit us at www.ceva-ip.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

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SOURCE Ceva, Inc.

FAQ

What did Ceva announce at CES 2026 about NXP S32Z2 and S32E2 processors (CEVA)?

Ceva said NXP integrated its SensPro AI DSP into the S32Z2 and S32E2 processors to enable real-time AI inference for software-defined vehicles.

How will the Ceva SensPro AI DSP integration affect vehicle features for CEVA?

The integration is aimed to enable predictive analytics, battery lifespan optimization, predictive maintenance, driver monitoring, and in-cabin voice controls.

Does the announcement include financial terms or revenue guidance for CEVA?

No; the announcement describes the technical integration and use cases but does not disclose financial terms or revenue guidance.

What market growth projection was cited in Ceva's January 6, 2026 announcement (CEVA)?

The release cites ResearchAndMarkets projecting software-defined vehicle market growth from $213.5B in 2024 to >$1.2T by 2030 at a 34% CAGR.

Which vehicle domains are targeted by the S32Z2/S32E2 with Ceva AI DSP integration (CEVA)?

NXP positions the S32Z2 and S32E2 for real-time domain and zonal control modules requiring deterministic, safety-critical compute with AI inference.