ultra‑low‑power

Cochlear’s new Nucleus Nexa System is the first cochlear implant that runs edge‑AI under extreme power limits, storing personalized maps on‑device and receiving OTA firmware updates. It uses an ultra‑low‑power decision‑tree classifier (SCAN 2) to identify five auditory environments, driving adaptive sound‑processing and a spatial‑noise algorithm (ForwardFocus). Upgradeable firmware and short‑range RF links enable long‑term model improvements, while on‑device privacy safeguards protect health data. The implant demonstrates a roadmap for medical edge‑AI: start with interpretable, power‑efficient models, embed upgradeability, and design for decades‑long lifespans.