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South Korea Launches $687M AI Chip Project for Robots and Self-Driving Cars

South Korea will launch a 1 trillion won project next month to develop on-device AI semiconductors over five years. The initiative aims to create chips for self-driving cars, smart appliances, and humanoid robots, reducing reliance on foreign technology. It is part of the government's Manufacturing AX Alliance, which includes major firms like Samsung and Hyundai. The country also plans to mass-produce humanoid robots by 2029 and AI-powered autonomous vehicles by 2030.

Key Points: S. Korea's $687M On-Device AI Semiconductor Project

  • 1 trillion won investment
  • Develop 10 AI chips for robots and cars
  • Reduce foreign tech dependence
  • Mass produce humanoid robots by 2029
  • Strengthen domestic fabless companies
2 min read

S. Korea to launch $687 million project to develop on-device AI semiconductors

South Korea invests 1 trillion won to develop AI chips for robots, autonomous vehicles, and smart appliances, aiming for tech independence.

"In the era of AI, semiconductors are a core strategic asset that determines both industrial competitiveness and national security - Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan"

Seoul, Feb 11

South Korea will begin a 1 trillion-won project next month to develop artificial intelligence semiconductors for on-device use, the industry ministry said on Wednesday.

The government and private companies will funnel a combined 1 trillion won into the project over the next five years, with a goal of creating some 10 AI chips that can be used in self-driving cars, smart home appliance products, humanoid robots and others, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, reports Yonhap news agency.

The project is part of the government's comprehensive plan to foster the AI transformation of manufacturing industries through its Manufacturing AX (M.AX) Alliance initiative announced at an earlier meeting between Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and AI chipmaking companies.

The alliance, which kicked off in September, comprises some 1,000 major companies and research institutes, including tech giant Samsung Electronics Co., auto giant Hyundai Motor Group, home appliance maker LG Electronics Inc. and robotics firm Rainbow Robotics.

The upcoming project will help local companies reduce their technological dependence on foreign AI chipmakers, the ministry said.

The government plans to improve local fabless companies' access to foundries to help them create test products for advanced nodes and strengthen financial support for the semiconductor industry by creating a dedicated investment fund for fabless companies.

Support will be extended to companies that produce middle-tech chips for the automotive, communications and defence sectors, according to the ministry.

"In the era of AI, semiconductors are a core strategic asset that determines both industrial competitiveness and national security," the industry minister said in a press release, vowing government support for the industry.

Meanwhile, South Korea will work to begin mass producing humanoid robots in 2029 and autonomous vehicles powered by artificial intelligence (AI) the following year, making it a global leader in the AI transformation (AX) of manufacturing industries, the industry ministry said.

The plan was unveiled at the launching ceremony of the Manufacturing AX Alliance (M.AX), which will connect major companies, such as Hyundai Motor Group, LG Electronics Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. and Posco Group, with AI companies to help manufacturing companies apply AI technology in their businesses.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Impressive vision from South Korea. The focus on reducing foreign dependence is key. Hope our policymakers are taking notes. We have the IITs and the brains, we just need the coordinated public-private push like their M.AX Alliance.
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Rohit P
Humanoid robots by 2029? That's ambitious! But with Samsung and Hyundai leading the charge, they might just pull it off. Meanwhile, our tech news is mostly about which startup got funding or which app got banned. We need to think bigger.
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Sarah B
As someone working in tech, this is fascinating. On-device AI is the future for privacy and speed. India's semiconductor mission is a good start, but the scale and speed here are on another level. The dedicated fund for fabless companies is a smart move.
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Vikram M
A respectful criticism: While this is great for South Korea, we in India often celebrate such foreign news without demanding equal accountability from our own industry and government. We have announced policies too, but on-ground execution is what matters. Let's focus on delivering our own projects on time.
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Kavya N
The inclusion of middle-tech chips for automotive and defence is very practical. Not everything needs to be cutting-edge 3nm. India can also excel in this space for our domestic market needs - from EVs to communication tech. Jai Hind!

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