Industrial leaders with a semicon edge: Axis Communications
As the global semiconductor landscape undergoes geopolitical shifts and supply chain shocks, Sweden is betting on specialization over scale. One of the most advanced examples of this strategy in action is Axis Communications, a pioneer in secure video surveillance and a rare Swedish company with in-house ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) development.
In this interview, Patrik Lislén, Engineering Manager of ASIC Development, shares why ARTPEC, Axis’ in-house chip platform, is not just a technical asset but a cornerstone of product innovation, long-term trust, and national self-reliance.
“We built our success around autonomy, owning the chip lets us build better products, with fewer compromises.”
– Patrik Lislén, Engineering Manager ASIC Development, Axis Communications.
Why does Axis build its own chips?
From the very first ARTPEC chip in 1999 to today’s ninth generation, Axis has maintained full control over its silicon roadmap. The result: high-performance video products designed for real-time scene understanding, AI at the edge, and energy-efficient computing.
“We wanted more than just performance, we wanted control. And when you own the chip, you own the roadmap.” – Patrik Lislén, Engineering Manager ASIC Development, Axis Communications
The ARTPEC platform allows Axis to:
- Optimize latency and image processing for real-world scenes
- Run custom AI accelerators directly in the camera
- Support secure firmware updates over long product lifecycles
- Reduce system-wide energy use and bandwidth demands
Notably, Axis’ autonomy in chip design helped it avoid the worst effects of the global component shortages. With full visibility into its own supply chain, it could adapt faster than many who rely on third-party platforms.
What are Sweden’s strenghts in the semiconductor industry?
“We don’t have local foundries but we have knowledge, which is just as important.” – Patrik Lislén, Engineering Manager ASIC Development, Axis Communications
According to Lislén, there is now a critical mass of companies in Lund/Malmö area working at the forefront of advanced electronics, AI, and wireless systems, creating a fertile environment for semiconductor innovation in southern Sweden. Among the most notable are smaller companies like Acconeer, Alixlabs, Beamwave and Xenergic but also bigger players like Ericsson and ARM.
In addition to these Swedish-founded companies, global players are also reinforcing the region’s relevance. Arm – the UK-based semiconductor IP giant – maintains a significant R&D presence in Lund, focusing on AI, security, and edge processing solutions.
“Being close to where research happens matters,” says Lislén. “That’s part of why we’ve opened offices in Stockholm and Linköping as well – to access new talent pools and connect with academic hubs.”
Axis also benefits from Sweden’s broader strengths: a trusted international reputation, neutral geopolitical position, and a longstanding focus on ethical governance – factors that matter to surveillance customers worldwide. “Sweden’s neutrality and reputation for ethical governance have made Axis a trusted global partner – especially where data integrity is key.”
Where should Sweden go next?
Sweden’s neutrality and reputation for ethical governance have also made Axis a trusted player in the global security market – crucial for video surveillance customers concerned with data integrity.
“We won’t compete on volume. But we can lead on trust, quality, and autonomy. Not everyone can start developing their own chips but with strong local universities and the EU chips act the threshold can be lowered for smaller companies”.
Lislén sees Sweden’s future in secure, specialized, and intelligent electronics, rather than competing with Asian or American foundries on scale.
“Swedish companies have learned to work smart. We don’t always have the biggest volumes, but we know how to scale smart solutions – especially in power-sensitive and mission-critical applications.”
Axis remains deeply rooted in Lund, but its expansion into other regions signals a longer-term commitment to building a resilient, nationally distributed innovation ecosystem.
How do we attract more talent—and more diversity?
“When students hear ‘electronics,’ they imagine a guy with a yellow hardhat. We need to change that picture.”
Lislén notes that hiring ASIC talent in Sweden is still a challenge – particularly in areas like: Verification, Power management, Memory interface design, System architecture.
To address this, Axis is:
- Collaboration with Universities and Industry in Research programs like ClassIC and similar
- Partnering with Universities to support thesis projects, mentorships, lectures and summer schools
- Recruiting directly from Swedish engineering programs
- Combining early-career and senior engineers in each team, enabling excellent growth possibilities.
“When I studied, we were 180 students—and only 20 were women. That kind of imbalance affects culture. Today we want to offer both support and real role models.”
Axis’ chip team today includes engineers from over 15 nationalities, but there’s still work to do on gender balance and visibility.