Key Points
- Altair Semiconductor has completed its spinoff from Sony Semiconductor Solutions
- The company raises $50 million and is now an independent company targeting 5G eRedCap for IoT.
- Altair now plans to drive what it calls the Physical AI transformation
Altair Semiconductor has completed its spinoff from Sony Semiconductor Solutions, raising $50 million (about ₹460 crore) in initial funding led by Pitango Group, the Israeli chipmaker announced on 27 April 2026.
“This is an exciting new chapter for Altair. As an independent company, we can move faster and respond more flexibly to rapidly changing market dynamics,” said Nohik Semel, CEO of Altair Semiconductor. “We are fully committed to leading the industry‘s transition from 4G to 5G IoT.”
Altair, which draws on two decades of cellular connectivity work, was previously a subsidiary of the Japanese sensor maker. Sony will remain a shareholder. The chipmaker’s LTE-M and NB-IoT platforms — including the ALT1250 and ALT1350 — already go into asset trackers, vehicle telematics, wearables and smart energy grids.
Each chipset bundles hardware-based security, an integrated SIM and a low-power microcontroller to cut development time for device makers.
Altair now plans to drive what it calls the Physical AI transformation — AI that lives in machines, robots and wearables and requires always-on, low-power connectivity. The centrepiece of that push is 5G eRedCap, a lighter version of 5G built for IoT devices that need modest data rates but must run for years on a battery.
The 5G eRedCap bet
The ALT1550 modem, based on the eRedCap standard, is in advanced silicon testing. Altair said the roadmap targets cost-efficient and power-efficient chips with a device lifespan of up to 20 years.
“Sony believes in Altair’s technology leadership and its critical role in the IoT ecosystem. Operating as a standalone company will drive innovation and enable faster execution,” said Antonio Avitabile, managing director, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Europe.
Eyal Niv, managing partner, Pitango, said the venture firm had tracked Altair for years. “We are excited to partner with them at this pivotal moment where every physical device needs to be connected to enable the Physical AI transformation,” Niv said. “The current financing round will solidify Altair’s leadership position in IoT and accelerate even further the transition towards 5G eRedCap.”
Altair said the spinoff will not disrupt existing customer commitments. The company will continue to support and expand its customer base globally.
