SoftBank acquires US fabless Ampere for $6.5 billion
SoftBank Group is acquiring U.S. semiconductor design company Ampere for $6.5 billion (approximately KRW 9.47 trillion). A piece of the KRW 9 trillion puzzle has been added to the blueprint of Chairman Son Jeong-ui, who is leading the KRW 720 trillion artificial intelligence (AI) project.
On the 20th, Japan’s SoftBank Group announced that it would acquire the U.S. fabless (semiconductor design specialist) startup Ampere as a 100% subsidiary. SoftBank will purchase all of the shares held by Ampere’s existing investors, Oracle and Carlyle, in cash.
Ampere, founded in 2018 by a former Intel CEO, designs central processing units (CPUs) for data centers. Intel completely dominated this market, but AMD overtook it last year. Both companies’ products are based on Intel’s x86 architecture. Architecture refers to the basic language and structure used by CPUs.
Micron AI Demand Performance Strong… “Highest Sales Ever This Year”
Micron announced on the 20th (local time) that it recorded sales of $8.05 billion (KRW 11.8 trillion) in its fiscal second quarter (December 2024-February 2025) performance announcement. This is a 38% increase from the same period last year and exceeds the US securities industry forecast of $7.91 billion. Net income per share also exceeded the market expectation of $1.43 at $1.56.
Micron said it was “in the strongest competitive position it has ever been in and is expanding its market share in high-margin product segments of the memory industry.”
Data center revenue has tripled compared to the same period last year, and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) revenue has also increased by more than 50% compared to the previous quarter, and related quarterly revenue exceeded $1 billion for the first time, he explained. In particular, due to strong demand for HBM, he said that he is already discussing contracts for 2026.
Hyundai Mobis, Full-scale Mass Production of Automotive Semiconductors… Expansion to Silicon Valley
Hyundai Mobis is increasing the number of cases of mass production of its own-designed automotive semiconductors. Five years after acquiring Hyundai Autron’s semiconductor business in 2020, full-scale research and development results are appearing, leading to improved competitiveness of controllers and core components equipped with its own designed semiconductors.
Hyundai Mobis announced on the 18th that it will complete research and development and reliability verification of semiconductors for core components such as electrification, electrical components, and lamps this year and begin mass production. While Hyundai Autron previously focused on the development of semiconductors for internal combustion engine drive systems, Hyundai Mobis has expanded the scope of semiconductor research and development to key order items such as electrification and electrical components.
“Development of multimodal specialized AI semiconductors”… Dinoticia and Hyperexcel ‘join hands’
Domestic AI semiconductor fabless startups Dinoticia and HyperExcel announced on the 20th that they are jointly developing a ‘RAG (Augmented Search Generation) optimized AI inference semiconductor’.
Through this collaboration, the two companies will develop semiconductors by sharing the technologies of Dinoticia’s VDPU (Vector Data Processing Unit) and HyperExcel’s LPU (Large Language Model Processing Unit). Dinoticia will utilize the VDPU to enable AI to search and utilize large-scale multimodal data in real time, and HyperExcel will maximize the computational performance of AI models through the LPU. A Dinoticia official said, “We plan to develop a RAG-specific AI system that processes search and inference simultaneously by combining the two semiconductors.”
Gigarain, Chinese corporation ‘MGM Technology’ completion ceremony
Gigalane, a manufacturer of RF communication components and semiconductor equipment, announced on the 21st that it held a completion ceremony for its subsidiary MGM Technology factory in Wuxi Gaoxin District, China on the 20th.
MGM Technology was established in July 24 to enter the Chinese semiconductor market. It will serve as a base for expanding the manufacturing and sales of semiconductor equipment as well as strengthening research and development (R&D) response capabilities for local customers.
The MGM Technology factory is about 6,000㎡ in size, about twice the size of the Korean headquarters. It has state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities capable of producing semiconductor equipment, and in particular, it has built a demo lab complete with process-specific equipment and cooperation equipment, and plans to conduct demo tests with Chinese semiconductor manufacturers starting in March.
Zeiss Extends Partnership with iMac… “Strengthening 2㎚ Semiconductor R&D”
German company Zeiss has extended its partnership with IMEC, the largest integrated semiconductor research institute in Europe, until 2029, strengthening its 2-nanometer (nm) ultra-fine process research and development (R&D). IMEC announced on the 20th (local time) that it had signed a strategic partnership agreement (SPA) with Zeiss. Zeiss and IMEC established a cooperative relationship in 2019, and have extended the period to 2029.
Imec explained, “With the contract renewal, both organizations plan to advance semiconductor manufacturing technologies such as high numerical aperture (NA) extreme ultraviolet (EUV),” adding, “It will become the foundation for innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous driving, and energy conversion.” High NA refers to the numerical aperture of the lens, and it is an EUV exposure equipment with an NA of 0.55, which is an increase from the existing one (0.33).
Startup ‘Inserasolution’ products go into space on Nuriho
Cheonan City, South Chungcheong Province, announced on the 18th that Insera Solution was recently selected for the 2nd space verification satellite payload contest under the Korea Aerospace Research Institute’s ‘Domestic Component and Part Space Verification Support Project’. The space verification project is a project that will be carried out until 2027, and will verify performance by loading domestically produced electric and electronic component-level parts and semiconductors onto a verification satellite.
The high-speed and high-precision adjustment mirror of Inserasolution, which was selected as the payload, will be mounted on the space verification satellite 2 together with SK Hynix’s DRAM and UFS, and KAIST’s attitude determination and system modules during the 5th launch of Nuriho scheduled for 2026, to verify its performance, including whether parts operate in space.
The high-speed, high-precision adjustment mirror developed by Inserasolution is a cutting-edge device designed to quickly and accurately control the direction of light (laser) and make minute angle adjustments even in the event of mechanical vibration or shock.
EU launches investigation into Chinese subsidies targeting Hungary’s BYD electric car plant
The European Union (EU) is investigating whether China unfairly subsidized the BYD electric car factory it built in Hungary, the British Financial Times (FT) reported on the 20th (local time). According to multiple sources, the EU Commission has entered the preliminary stage of an investigation into overseas subsidies for the BYD factory.
If the EU finds that BYD received unfair state subsidies, BYD could be forced to sell some assets or reduce its production capacity. It could also be forced to return subsidies or face fines for noncompliance.
The survey is seen as a sensitive move targeting deepening economic ties between China and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the FT reported.
Charging in 5 minutes like refueling… Global electric vehicle market ‘BYD shock’
China’s BYD has unveiled a ‘game-changing’ technology that reduces the charging speed, which was the biggest barrier to electric vehicle distribution, to 5 minutes. The global electric vehicle market, where even a ’10-minute charging time’ was considered technically impossible, was shocked. Chinese electric vehicle companies that have been increasing their market share with low prices are already being evaluated as far ahead of global automakers such as Tesla and Hyundai Motors in terms of technology.
BYD held a launch event for its ‘BYD Super e-Platform Technology’ in Shenzhen, China, where its headquarters are located, on the 18th. The electric vehicle charging technology unveiled at the event is causing a huge stir in the industry, comparable to the ‘DeepSec Shock’ that shocked the global artificial intelligence (AI) market.
SK On, Nissan’s… 15 Trillion Won ‘Battery Jackpot’
SK On will supply up to 100GWh of electric vehicle batteries to Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. starting in 2028. This is the first case of SK On supplying batteries to a Japanese automaker, and it is a mega-contract with an estimated supply volume of 15 trillion won. Some say that this is a signal for SK On, which is having difficulty operating its U.S. plant due to slowing electric vehicle sales, to escape deficits.
SK On announced on the 19th that it will supply a total of 99.4 GWh of electric vehicle batteries to Nissan over a period of six years from 2028 to 2033. This is the amount needed to power approximately 1 million mid-sized electric vehicles. It is known that the batteries supplied to Nissan will be produced at SK Blue Oval Kentucky Plant 1 in the United States. This plant will begin mass production in the first half of this year.
CNT Tech Invests in Octob, a Mobile Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Developer
Accelerator CNT Tech announced on the 21st that it has invested in Octob, which is developing a rail-based unmanned automatic electric vehicle charging infrastructure system. The specific investment amount is not disclosed.
Octobre took note of the problems that arise from existing fixed-type electric vehicle chargers and installed rails that allow chargers to move by utilizing spaces such as ceilings and walls in parking lots, providing a solution that allows multiple vehicles to be automatically charged with one charger.
Until now, even if charging was complete, there was a problem where other vehicles could not charge if the existing user was using it, causing inconvenience or conflicts between neighbors. To solve this problem, Octob designed a method in which the charger moves along the rail.
“Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors to Outsource Electric Vehicle Production to Taiwan’s Foxconn”
Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors plans to outsource the production of electric vehicles (EVs) to Taiwan’s Foxconn, Kyodo News reported on the 20th. According to the report, Mitsubishi Motors plans to build an efficient production system and expand EV models through cooperation with Foxconn.
Mitsubishi Motors, which is smaller than Toyota, Honda, and Nissan Motor Co., is pursuing a wide range of alliances as a management strategy, and its cooperation with Foxconn is in line with this strategy.
The purpose is to strengthen product competitiveness while suppressing production costs through cooperation with Foxconn. The EV model to be produced is currently being coordinated.
Xiaomi, a huge hit with electric cars, builds a bigger second factory in Beijing
China’s Xiaomi is expanding the size of its second factory currently under construction in Beijing to meet growing demand for electric vehicles, Bloomberg reported on the 19th.
Sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that Xiaomi’s second Beijing factory, which began construction last year on a 53-hectare site, was recently expanded to include an adjacent 52-hectare site, and production there is expected to begin in the middle of this year.
Xiaomi’s expansion of its factory is a response to the unexpectedly high demand for electric vehicles. Xiaomi Chairman Lei Jun initially planned to produce 300,000 units this year, but announced that it would increase that to 350,000 units.
SK Signet to install electric vehicle chargers at highway rest areas
SK Signet, an electric vehicle charger company, announced that it has been selected as a unit 1 operator for the ‘2024 Highway Electric Vehicle Charging Station Construction Project’ hosted by the Korea Expressway Corporation and will begin installing ultra-fast and rapid chargers at major highway rest areas nationwide.
Through this project, SK Signet plans to gradually install a total of 191 units, including 350kW ultra-fast chargers and 200kW integrated rapid chargers, at 42 highway rest areas by the first half of this year. Starting with the Osu (Suncheon), Osu (Wanju), and Hwangjeon (Suncheon) rest areas in February, the installation will be expanded to major rest areas nationwide, including Seoul and Gyeonggi, Daejeon and Chungnam, Jeollabuk-do, Gwangju and Jeollanam, Changnyeong and Miryang.
The 200kW rapid charger supplied by SK Signet supports both the international standard DC fast charging method CCS1 and the Tesla charging standard NACS connector, and is designed to allow various electric vehicle models, including Tesla vehicles, to be charged without a separate adapter.
NVIDIA Launches ‘Halos’, a Comprehensive Safety System for Autonomous Driving
NVIDIA announced on the 21st that it had announced ‘NVIDIA Halos’, a comprehensive safety system for autonomous vehicles (AV), at ‘GTC’ held in San Jose, USA.
Halos is a system that combines NVIDIA’s automotive hardware and software safety solutions with autonomous vehicle safety AI research. Halos supports the development of AI-based end-to-end autonomous vehicles.
Kumho HT Develops Prototype of Intelligent Headlamp Linked with Autonomous Driving
Kumho HT announced on the 20th that it has completed the development of an ultra-high-resolution micro LED pixel light prototype through a national project. According to the company, the product is currently undergoing research and development for application to automobiles, and there are plans to link it to autonomous vehicles in the future.
Last July, Kumho HT was selected as the main organization for the national project, ‘Development of Ultra-High-Resolution Micro LED Intelligent Pixel Lighting for Expanding the Global Automobile Parts Supply Chain.’ Through this project, the company is focusing on developing high-resolution smart lamps that can be connected to autonomous driving and sensors and send light to desired locations.
Autonomous A2Z, 11th in the world in autonomous driving technology… Only in Korea
Autonomous A2Z, a self-driving startup, announced on the 16th that it ranked 11th in the world in the ‘2024 Autonomous Driving Technology Rankings’ published by global market research firm Guidehouse. It rose two places from 13th place in last year’s survey.
Autonomous A2Z is a startup founded in 2018 by four autonomous driving engineers from Hyundai Motor Company. It currently operates 51 autonomous vehicles in Korea and has recorded 570,000 km of autonomous driving distance. Guidehouse, which conducted the evaluation, is a consulting firm spun off from accounting firm PwC, and has been evaluating and ranking autonomous driving companies around the world since 2015. This year, it evaluated 20 companies, including large truck and cargo driving companies.
In the evaluation, Autonomous A2Z ranked 11th this year, following its debut at 13th last year. Waymo ranked 1st, Baidu 2nd, Mobileye 3rd, and Nvidia 4th. In addition, Motional, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Company and Aptiv, ranked 15th, and Tesla 20th.
Naver D2SF Makes Follow-up Investment in AI Motion Capture Startup ‘Moobin’
Naver’s startup investment team D2SF (D2 Startup Factory) announced on the 20th that it has made a follow-up investment in ‘Moobin’, a real-time motion capture technology startup based on artificial intelligence (AI). After discovering Moobin in the pre-startup stage and making a seed investment in 2023, the company has decided to make an additional investment after paying attention to its product development performance to date and future growth potential.
Moobin’s pre-A round investment was led by Atium Investment, with participation from Naver D2SF and Crew Capital.
Moobin has developed the world’s first real-time markerless motion capture technology using LiDAR sensors. Using LiDAR sensors, spatial information such as distance and depth can be obtained without distortion, making it possible to more precisely check 3D joints, bone structures, angles, etc.
Tesla target price drops to $120 amid BYD and Xiaopeng run
According to Reuters and other sources on the 20th, Zeekr, a luxury electric vehicle brand under China’s Geely Automobile Group, held a press conference at its headquarters in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province on the 18th and announced that it would unveil the ‘9X’ sports utility vehicle (SUV) equipped with the ‘G-Pilot’, a ‘level 3’ autonomous driving function, at the Shanghai Auto Show next month.
Chinese pure electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng also announced at its earnings conference on the same day that it plans to mass-produce new vehicles with Level 3 software capabilities in the second half of this year and Level 4 next year.
Given this situation, there is growing speculation on Wall Street and the industry that Tesla’s position will continue to decline. JP Morgan said, “First-quarter electric vehicle deliveries will decrease 8% compared to the same period last year,” and lowered Tesla’s target stock price from $135 to $120, the lowest on Wall Street.
Samsung D wins ITC patent lawsuit against China’s BOE… Leaving behind Chinese OLEDs in hot pursuit
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has ruled that Chinese panel maker BOE infringed on Samsung Display’s organic light-emitting diode (OLED) patents. Samsung Display will see this decision as a “precedent” and will be in a favorable position for many remaining patent disputes.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in favor of Samsung Display on the 19th (local time) in its OLED patent infringement lawsuit filed against China’s BOE and U.S. distributors. This is the final conclusion reached 2 years and 3 months after Samsung Display filed a complaint with the ITC in December 2022.
On the 21st, attention will also be drawn to the ITC’s preliminary decision regarding the trade secret infringement investigation case that Samsung Display is conducting against BOE.
Samsung SDI: “Considering selling Samsung Display shares to raise funds”
Samsung SDI is reviewing additional funding measures following its recent decision to pursue a paid-in capital increase worth 2 trillion won. It is also considering utilizing its assets, including its 9 trillion won stake in Samsung Display.
Kim Jong-seong, Samsung SDI’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO, Executive Vice President), stated this position on the background and purpose of the paid-in capital increase at the 55th regular shareholders’ meeting held at the Eliena Hotel in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 19th.
CFO Kim Jong-seong explained the background of the paid-in capital increase, saying, “Given the nature of the battery business, which takes at least 2-3 years from investment to mass production, we have been proactively making large-scale facility and R&D investments, and in the process, our financial structure has deteriorated, with cash flow deficits turning into deficits and increased debt.”
LGD President Jeong Cheol-dong: “A stable performance foundation is being established”
LG Display held its 40th regular shareholders’ meeting at the LG Display Learning Center in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on the 20th.
President Chung said, “Last year was a year in which the business environment was more volatile than ever, but we focused on improving our business structure centered on OLED (organic light-emitting diode), intensive cost innovation, and operational efficiency.”
He said, “This year, we plan to maximize the results of the business structure advancement that we have been continuously pursuing, and increase the trust of all stakeholders by operating a business focused on profitability and strengthening cost and quality competitiveness.”
Source: kipost.net