[The Future of K-Semiconductors]②DeepX, Collaborating with Hyundai Motor and Samsung: "From Robot Chips to 2nm Chip Development"

DeepX, Developer of On-Device and Edge AI Chips
First Korean Winner of the World Economic Forum MINDS Award
Collaboration with Samsung and Hyundai Motor
"Fostering the Growth of the Entire Industry"

Kim Nokwon, CEO of DeepX, is giving an interview to The Asia Business Daily. Photo by Dongju Yoon

DeepX, a fabless (semiconductor design specialist) company specializing in on-device artificial intelligence (AI), has joined forces with Hyundai Motor Group to signal the start of commercializing AI semiconductors for robots. The two companies recently unveiled their "on-device AI chip," the result of three years of close collaboration, at CES 2026, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition held in Las Vegas, USA. They announced plans to begin full-scale integration of this chip into robots that will be deployed in real-world applications starting this year. The chip developed by the two companies operates on ultra-low power consumption of less than 5W, yet enables robots to perceive and make decisions autonomously without a cloud connection.

The Asia Business Daily recently interviewed Kim Nokwon, CEO of DeepX, to discuss collaborations with major domestic and global companies such as Hyundai Motor Company and Samsung Electronics, as well as the future direction of Korea's system semiconductor industry.

"Semiconductors Are a Comprehensive Art... Know-how Must Not Be Overlooked"

At CES 2026, the world's largest consumer electronics and IT exhibition held in Las Vegas, USA, robot solutions developed by DeepX and Hyundai Motor Robotics Lab are on display. Photo by Paek Jongmin, Tech Specialist

CEO Kim is a semiconductor designer who previously led the design of Apple's iPhone X A11 Bionic application processor (AP). After working at leading global big tech companies such as Broadcom, Cisco, and IBM, he founded DeepX, a fabless company specializing in on-device AI semiconductors, in 2018.

When asked about the limitations of the Korean semiconductor ecosystem, given his experience at top global big tech companies, Kim pointed out, "Koreans tend to overlook experience." He explained, "I have observed the 'behind-the-scenes skills' possessed only by those who have succeeded in all three major Silicon Valley mass production systems: the internet, AP chips, and smartphones. To become a leader, you must pay attention to every aspect, but in Korea, there is a tendency to overlook such know-how."

He likened system semiconductors to a "comprehensive art," meaning that all areas-from design, manufacturing, software, and mass production to commercialization-must be organically connected to achieve results. System semiconductors, unlike memory, are not an industry with long-established standards or proven formulas for success. As competition in this field has only intensified relatively recently, Kim diagnoses that the "lack of experience" is a significant obstacle.

Kim also pointed out that "there has not yet been a Park Jisung or Son Heungmin" in this field, meaning there are still no successful cases for promising companies to aspire to. He explained, "If we compare it to soccer, so far we've only been fighting in the K League, and now we're trying to aim for a World Cup victory, which is difficult. The domestic system semiconductor ecosystem is still not connected to global leaders and is experiencing many trials and errors in every area."

Strengths in On-Device and Edge AI... Manufactured by Samsung Foundry

Last summer, DeepX began mass production of its AI semiconductor "DX-M1." The M1 is an AI accelerator in a system-on-chip (SoC) form factor using the "M.2 M-Key" interface, boasting excellent performance and versatility. It is manufactured using Samsung Electronics Foundry's 5nm (1nm = one billionth of a meter) process. The next-generation M2 will be produced using Samsung Foundry's 2nm process, with a prototype completed early last year.

Despite having experienced the production system of Taiwan's TSMC, the world's leading foundry, during his time at Apple, Kim chose to manufacture chips at Samsung Foundry because "as an engineer, I want the entire domestic semiconductor industry to grow together." The M1 chip achieved a 90% yield thanks to DeepX's optimized design. Achieving a yield of over 90% in the initial mass production phase is unusual. Regarding the new 2nm process, Kim expressed confidence, saying, "We have an optimized solution to address yield issues."

DeepX focuses on the edge computing neural processing unit (NPU) market, rather than inference semiconductors for data servers manufactured by other fabless companies such as FuriosaAI and Rebellions. Their goal is to create system semiconductors that efficiently handle AI computations. NPU-based computing systems deliver high performance with lower power consumption and higher efficiency than graphics processing units (GPUs). They are especially well-suited for "edge AI" environments, which require both low power and high performance. Edge AI refers to performing computations directly on devices without sending data to the cloud, such as technology that detects driver drowsiness in vehicles.

Developing Robots with Hyundai Motor Company... Attracting Attention from the World Economic Forum

Kim Nokwon, CEO of DeepX, is showing the 'Minds 2025' trophy from the Davos Forum during an interview with The Asia Business Daily. The Minds Award is given by the World Economic Forum (WEF) after evaluating over 100 global companies' cases, recognizing technologies that change the world through AI. DeepX is the first domestic company to receive this award. Photo by Dongju Yoon

Recently, DeepX has been achieving results in robotics, such as commercializing the delivery robot "DAL-e Delivery" in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Robotics Lab. Robotics is also a field that requires both low power consumption and high performance. Since robots must operate anywhere, including underground, DeepX's chips, optimized for on-device and edge applications, are gaining attention. Having collaborated since 2023, the two companies plan to mass-produce new robots this year as well.

DeepX won an award at the end of last year in the MINDS (Meaningful, Intelligent, Novel, Deployable Solutions) program organized by the World Economic Forum (WEF), based on the successful demonstration of its edge AI chip-based "robot vision AI solution." DeepX became the first domestic company to win the "Minds 2025" award, which is given by the World Economic Forum after evaluating more than 100 global companies' cases and recognizing technologies that change the world through AI.

Holding up the trophy, CEO Kim said, "The world has recognized the effectiveness and social contribution potential of DeepX's technology," adding, "We will continue to deliver real value through AI that operates in the field."

He cited soccer players Park Jisung and Son Heungmin, who challenged the English Premier League (EPL), as role models for DeepX's ambitions. For the same reason, the company is open to the possibility of listing on Wall Street rather than focusing solely on the domestic market. He emphasized, "I want to create a successful precedent by breaking into markets where domestic companies are undervalued."

Without Global Export Promotion, There Will Be No 'Next Samsung'

On the 8th (local time), at the official CES 2026 studio event CES Foundry held in Las Vegas, USA, Kim Nokwon, CEO of DeepX, along with representatives from Hyundai Motor Robotics Lab and Baidu, took a commemorative photo after discussing the topic of 'Accelerating Physical AI.' DeepX

Kim stated, "Korean companies' excellent chips must be able to compete globally," identifying "export promotion" as the top priority for the future of the semiconductor industry. He explained, "Chinese and Taiwanese companies receive strong tax benefits and incentive policies for semiconductor exports. While I am not asking for financial support as massive as China's, there must be policies to promote exports to enhance companies' competitiveness."

At the "K-Semiconductor Vision and Development Strategy in the AI Era" forum held in December last year, Kim met with President Lee Jaemyung and urged him to "become a bridgehead for AI semiconductor exports." At the time, Kim told the government, "Cutting-edge technologies such as AI chips and AI technology can only survive through exports. Many policies are focused on domestic demand, but please establish policies that enable exports to the United States, China, Japan, Taiwan, and other countries."

This is not simply about increasing sales. For system semiconductors, securing real-world validation and references from global customers after development is crucial. Kim emphasized, "Since the limitations of the domestic market are clear, policy, finance, and diplomatic channels must work together from the outset to enable entry into overseas markets." He stressed that to leverage technological competitiveness, national-level support for market development must be provided in parallel.

"Authority Belongs to Good Ideas"-A Horizontal R&D Culture

Kim Nokwon, CEO of DeepX, is introducing Hyundai Motor Company's urban smart control system during an interview with The Asia Business Daily. Photo by Dongju Yoon

While speed is essential in the AI and semiconductor industries, organizational culture and leadership are just as important as research and development (R&D) for long-term survival. Kim defines "good technology leadership" as "an organization where everyone can contribute ideas and the 'best idea' for everyone's success prevails."

Perhaps for this reason, there are no executives in DeepX's research lab. Even those who were executives or R&D center heads at major companies such as Samsung Electronics are considered regular employees here. Instead of titles, employees are addressed with "nim" after their names, and mutual honorifics are the rule.

He presented four principles as his organizational management philosophy: ① No Call-Option, ② Truth-Based Decision-Making, ③ Meritocracy, and ④ Clear Vision. For example, ① anyone can question the CEO's decision if they do not understand it, and conclusions cannot be forced based on rank or authority. ② All decisions are based on logic, evidence, and consensus. ③ Ability, not age or experience, is what matters. ④ The CEO presents a company-wide vision but ensures that every member can have a valuable vision for their own career as well.

This philosophy is institutionalized within the organization through measures such as designating a Directly Responsible Individual (DRI) for every task and requiring unanimous agreement for decisions. Kim explained, "Every task has a designated leader, but the leader is not the decision-maker; rather, they optimize and reflect the organization's ideas." As an example, he cited the "butter demo," where decisions are made based on the collective agreement of all involved after gathering members' opinions. DeepX previously attracted significant attention by demonstrating the M1 chip's thermal control performance in a benchmark test with butter placed on top of the chip.

Kim believes that power and authority should reside in ideas, not people. He emphasized, "A strong company is not a big company, but one where the best ideas for everyone's success can emerge. It is good ideas, not people, that should govern." This is why anyone can challenge the CEO's opinion and questions are always allowed, anytime and anywhere. The rejection of authoritarianism is because "R&D is an area where optimization is most important, so all ranks and credentials should be set aside and ideas should compete."