[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, an on-device artificial intelligence (AI) fabless (semiconductor design specialist) company, has joined forces with Hyundai Motor Group to signal the commercialization of AI semiconductors for robots. The two companies recently unveiled an "on-device AI chip" at CES 2026, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition held in Las Vegas, USA, after three years of close collaboration. They announced that starting this year, these chips will be actively installed in robots used in real-life applications. The chip developed by the two companies operates on ultra-low power of less than 5W, yet enables robots to perceive and make decisions independently without the need for cloud connectivity.

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 led the design of Apple's iPhone X A11 Bionic application processor (AP). After working at global big tech companies representing various fields, including Broadcom, Cisco, and IBM, he founded DeepX, an on-device AI semiconductor fabless company, in 2018.

When asked about the limitations of Korea's semiconductor ecosystem, after his experience at leading global big tech firms, he pointed out, "Koreans tend to overlook experience." CEO Kim said, "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 this kind of know-how," he explained.

He compared system semiconductors to "comprehensive art." This means that all areas, from design, manufacturing, and software to mass production and commercialization, must work organically together to achieve results. System semiconductors, unlike memory, are not industries with long-established standards and formulas for success. As competition has intensified only relatively recently, CEO Kim diagnoses that the "lack of experience" is acting as an obstacle.

CEO Kim also pointed out that there have not yet been successful cases in this field for promising companies to aspire to, saying, "There has not yet been a Park Jisung or Son Heungmin." He explained, "To use a soccer analogy, it's like fighting in the K-League so far and now aiming to win the World Cup, which is difficult. The domestic system semiconductor ecosystem is still not connected to global leaders and is experiencing many trial-and-error issues 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 the form of a system-on-chip (SoC) using the "M.2 M-Key" interface, boasting excellent performance and versatility. It is produced using Samsung Electronics Foundry's 5nm (1nm = one billionth of a meter) process. The next-generation M2 is planned to be manufactured with Samsung Foundry's 2nm process, with a prototype completed early last year.

Despite experiencing the production system of Taiwan's TSMC, the world's number one foundry, during his time at Apple, CEO 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 rate thanks to DeepX's optimized design. Achieving an initial mass production yield rate of over 90% is unusual. Regarding the new 2nm process, he also expressed confidence, saying, "We have optimized solutions to address yield issues."

DeepX focuses on the edge computing neural processing unit (NPU) market, rather than on inference semiconductors for data servers manufactured by other fabless companies such as FuriosaAI and Rebellions. The company aims to create system semiconductors that efficiently process AI computations. NPU-based computing systems deliver high performance with lower power consumption and greater efficiency compared to graphics processing units (GPUs). They are especially highly regarded for being optimized 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... 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 achieved results in robotics, such as commercializing the delivery robot "DAL-e Delivery" in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Robotics Lab. Robotics is also a field where both low power consumption and high performance are required. Since robots must operate anywhere, including underground, DeepX's chips, optimized for on-device and edge environments, are attracting attention. Having collaborated since 2023, the two companies plan to mass-produce new robots again this year.

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) for demonstrating its "robot vision AI solution" based on edge AI chips. After evaluating cases from over 100 global companies, the World Economic Forum awarded DeepX the "Minds 2025" award for technologies that change the world through AI, making it the first domestic company to receive this honor.

Holding up the trophy, CEO Kim said, "This is global recognition of the effectiveness and social contribution potential of DeepX's technology," adding, "We will continue to deliver real value through AI that works in the field."

He cited soccer players Park Jisung and Son Heungmin, who challenged the English Premier League (EPL), as DeepX's role models. For the same reason, the company is also open to the possibility of listing on Wall Street, not just focusing on the domestic market. He emphasized, "I want to create a precedent for domestic companies to break into undervalued markets and succeed."

No 'Next Samsung' Without Global Export Promotion

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

CEO 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 said, "Chinese and Taiwanese companies receive strong tax benefits and incentive policies for semiconductor exports. While I am not asking for financial support on the scale of China, there must be policies to promote exports to enhance companies' competitiveness."

At the "K-Semiconductor Vision and Promotion Strategy in the AI Era" forum held in December last year, CEO Kim also met President Lee Jaemyung and urged, "Please become a bridgehead for AI semiconductor exports." At that time, CEO Kim told the government, "Cutting-edge technologies such as AI chips and AI technology must be exported to survive. Many policies are focused on domestic demand, but we need policies that enable exports to the United States, China, Japan, Taiwan, and other countries."

This is not simply about increasing sales. For system semiconductors, the most important thing after development is securing real-world validation and references from global clients. CEO Kim emphasized, "Since the domestic market has clear limitations, policy, financial, and diplomatic channels must support entry into overseas markets from the outset." In order to maximize 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

Although speed is key in the AI and semiconductor industries, organizational culture and leadership are just as important as research and development (R&D) for long-term survival. CEO Kim defined "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 regular employees here. Instead of titles, everyone is addressed with "Nim" after their name, and mutual honorifics are the rule.

He presented four organizational management principles: ① No Call-Option ② Truth-based decision-making ③ Meritocracy ④ Clear vision. For example, ① anyone can question the CEO's decision if they do not understand it, and no one can force a conclusion based on rank or authority. ② All decisions are based on logic, evidence, and consensus. ③ Competence, not age or experience, is what matters. ④ The CEO presents a company-wide vision, but also ensures that every member can have a valuable vision for their own career.

These philosophies are institutionalized in the organization through measures such as designating a Directly Responsible Individual (DRI) for each task and requiring unanimous agreement. CEO Kim explained, "Every task has a leader, but that leader is not a decision-maker-they are someone who optimizes and reflects the organization's ideas." As an example, he cited the "butter demo," where decisions are made based on the consensus of all stakeholders after collecting members' opinions. DeepX previously attracted significant attention by demonstrating the M1 chip's thermal control performance through a benchmark test with butter placed on top of the chip.

CEO 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. Good ideas, not people, should govern." This is why anyone can challenge the CEO's opinion, and questions are allowed anytime, anywhere. The rejection of authoritarianism is because, "R&D is an area where optimization is most important, so all ranks and backgrounds must be set aside and ideas must compete."