In order to offset the downturn in the mobile market, Samsung Electronics is accelerating its pursuit of the automotive semiconductor sector. However, Samsung Electronics’ current focus in the automotive sector is on “infotainment,” systems that provide a variety of information and entertainment at the same time, as opposed to analog semiconductors such as microcontroller units (MCUs) that control vehicles.
Several Korean media outlets, including Digital Daily, reported today that Samsung Electronics is developing a system-on-chip (SoC) for supply to BMW vehicles. Progress has already been made through close cooperation, such as samples. The chip to be delivered to BMW will be the new “Exynos Auto V,” according to industry sources.
The insider said, “Samsung Electronics is focusing on infotainment-related products in the field of autonomous driving. Qualcomm, Nvidia and others will become competitors.
The V series samples delivered are said to be equipped with a neural network processing unit (NPU), which is supported by AI calculations and can recognize the driver’s voice, face and movements.
It is worth mentioning that Samsung Electronics’ infotainment chips have started supplying Audi and Volkswagen. Sources say Samsung is developing a new product based on a 5-nanometer process that will be supplied to Volkswagen and other companies. If the company can reach a deal with BMW, it will get a big customer in again.
Previously, it has worked with companies such as Tesla and Google on autonomous driving. Following its foundry division producing chips for Tesla, Samsung is also providing chip design support for Google’s self-driving car “Waymo. Of course, Samsung also seems to be working with Google on the cell phone chip Tensor.
Last month, Samsung Electronics announced on a conference call in the fourth quarter of 2022 that “we have solidified the foundation for medium- to long-term growth by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a U.S. self-driving solutions company for product development.
There is not much news about the cooperation between Samsung and BMW yet.
