Ceva Appoints Semiconductor Veteran Ziv Hammer to Lead Connectivity and Sensing
The appointment of a former GlobalFoundries executive signals a strategic push toward Physical AI and expanded Silicon Valley operations.
Ceva, Inc. has appointed semiconductor industry veteran Ziv Hammer as Executive Vice President, Connectivity & Sensing. The move aims to accelerate the company's strategic pivot toward "Physical AI" by consolidating key technical and business units under a single leader.
In this newly created role, Hammer will oversee Ceva's Wireless IoT, Mobile Broadband, and Sensing & Audio Software businesses, while also leading the CTO Office. Based in Silicon Valley, Hammer reports directly to CEO Amir Panush. This consolidation is designed to streamline the execution of Ceva's technical roadmap as the company seeks to integrate its diverse IP portfolio into more cohesive system solutions.
The Push for Physical AI
Ceva operates as a leading licensor of silicon and software IP for the "Smart Edge," providing the foundational technology for 5G, cellular IoT, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Ultra-Wideband (UWB). The company is currently steering its product evolution toward Physical AI—a paradigm where edge devices are not only always connected but are contextually aware and capable of making real-time decisions without relying solely on the cloud.
By bringing connectivity and sensing under one executive, Ceva is positioning itself to better support customers who require highly differentiated smart edge products. This integration allows the company to offer more customized, complete system solutions that blend communication capabilities with environmental sensing.
Industry Pedigree
Hammer joins Ceva with a deep background in large-scale semiconductor engineering and management. He previously held senior leadership roles at Intel and Infineon Technologies. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Design Platforms and Services at GlobalFoundries, where he managed complex technology transitions from concept to market.
CEO Amir Panush noted that Hammer combines deep technical expertise with a track record of building world-class organizations. Hammer stated he is joining Ceva at a time when the semiconductor industry is being reshaped by the rise of increasingly intelligent and connected devices.
Strategic Implications
This appointment signals a deliberate effort by Ceva to deepen its presence in the Silicon Valley ecosystem. By installing a veteran with experience at major foundries and chipmakers, Ceva is strengthening its ability to execute on the complex hardware-software intersections required for Physical AI.
As the industry moves away from generic connectivity toward specialized, AI-driven sensing, Ceva's ability to synchronize its CTO Office with its business units will be critical. The market will now be watching how Hammer integrates these disparate software and silicon IP streams to create a unified platform for the next generation of autonomous edge devices.