Variscite and CELUS have announced a partnership that brings three Variscite System on Modules (SoMs) into the CELUS Design Platform and NXP Block Diagram Designer. Announced on August 4, 2026, the integration enables embedded systems engineers to select a module and develop the surrounding hardware architecture within an AI-assisted design environment.
The collaboration is intended to simplify the early stages of electronic product development, when engineers must evaluate processors, power requirements, communication interfaces, and carrier-board configurations.
By incorporating Variscite’s modules directly into the design workflow, engineers can evaluate hardware options without repeatedly switching between component documentation, supplier websites, and electronic design tools.
AI-assisted design from concept to prototype
The integration builds on Variscite’s longstanding partnership with NXP Semiconductors, whose i.MX processor families power the supported modules.
The NXP Block Diagram Designer, powered by CELUS technology, allows engineers to develop system architectures using functional building blocks. CELUS’s AI Design Assistant can help identify supporting components and generate initial reference schematics and bills of materials.
Each supported Variscite module is represented by a digital component model containing information about its interfaces, power requirements, and available functions. This enables the software to incorporate the module into the broader system design.
The resulting designs can then be transferred to established electronic design automation (EDA) tools for further development, verification, and PCB layout.
Three Variscite modules available
The initial integration includes three Variscite modules based on NXP’s i.MX processor families, addressing different embedded computing and performance requirements.
| System on Module | NXP processor | Applications and capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| VAR-SOM-MX93 | i.MX 93 | Energy-efficient embedded processing, industrial control, and edge AI |
| VAR-SMARC-MX8M-PLUS | i.MX 8M Plus | Machine vision, multimedia processing, and industrial applications |
| DART-MX95 | i.MX 95 | Higher-performance edge AI, multi-camera systems, and advanced embedded processing |
The modules target applications including industrial automation, medical devices, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
By making these products available during the initial architecture phase, the companies aim to help engineering teams identify suitable processing platforms and develop the necessary supporting circuitry earlier in the design process.
Reducing development time
One of the principal objectives of the collaboration is to reduce the time required to move from an initial system concept to a working hardware prototype.
“Time-to-market is a critical factor in any new project,” said Ofer Austerlitz, Vice President of Business Development and Sales at Variscite.
According to Austerlitz, combining Variscite’s NXP-based modules with CELUS’s design technology can simplify development and shorten the path toward prototyping and production.
NXP also sees the integration as an extension of its design ecosystem. Luca DiFalco, Senior Vice President of Global Channel Sales and Industrial Solutions at NXP, emphasized the company’s objective of enabling customers to complete more of the design process within a unified platform.
For engineering organizations, the approach could reduce repetitive component research and schematic preparation while allowing developers to concentrate on application-specific requirements.
However, automated design generation does not eliminate the need for engineering verification, electrical validation, thermal analysis, or testing before production.
Further integration planned
The companies have indicated that additional carrier-board reference projects and broader platform integration are under development.
These resources are expected to expand the options available to engineers developing products around Variscite modules.
The partnership also reflects a broader trend in electronics engineering toward integrating component information, design automation, and AI-assisted development within common engineering environments.
For manufacturers developing industrial controllers, intelligent sensors, medical equipment, and connected devices, such tools offer a potential means of reducing development effort while maintaining flexibility in hardware selection.
About Variscite
Variscite is a global leader in System on Module (SoM) design and manufacturing, setting the standard for embedded solutions since 2003 with high-quality, reliable modules.
The company offers the most extensive Arm-based SoM portfolio in the embedded market, featuring a wide range of configuration options that span from entry-level to high-performance, powered by robust SoCs such as the NXP i.MX8, i.MX9, and i.MX6 series.
Variscite’s in-house production fully complies with ISO 13485, ISO 9001, and ISO 27001 standards, covering medical-grade manufacturing, quality management, and information security, ensuring the highest quality.
Coupled with top-tier support and extended product longevity, Variscite consistently delivers dependable products and services throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial development to end-of-life.
For more information, contact Variscite’s sales team at sales@variscite.com or visit variscite.com/contact-us.
About CELUS
CELUS is a Munich-based technology company building an AI-powered platform for electronics design.
Founded in 2018 by Tobias Pohl, Alexander Pohl, and André Alcalde at the Technical University of Munich, CELUS helps engineers move from an initial product idea to a structured hardware architecture, supporting component selection, reference schematics, and bills of materials compatible with established EDA environments.
The company operates from Munich, Porto, and Austin, with a team spanning more than 30 countries, and works with semiconductor manufacturers and distributors including NXP, Würth Elektronik, and Siemens to connect engineers with component data during the design process.
Learn more at celus.io.
Further information: Variscite announcement and CELUS technical overview.