[6] Ambarella was founded in 2004 by Feng-Ming (Fermi) Wang and Les Kohn with the goal of developing high-definition H.264 video encoders for the professional broadcast market.

[7] Soon after, Ambarella applied this same technology to consumer video and security IP camera markets, focusing on the development of low-power, compression-efficient chips capable of producing high-quality imagery in challenging lighting and high-motion environments.

In professional markets, Ambarella chips were used in high-end broadcasting encoders such as from Harmonic Inc,[10] and in IP cameras for surveillance from companies like Axis Communications and Bosch.

VisLab has a history of developing computer vision and intelligent control systems for automotive and commercial applications, including ADAS and autonomous vehicles.

[18][19] In January 2023, Ambarella and Continental announced to partner in the field of AI-based software and hardware systems on the CES 2023 in Las Vegas.