A New Era for Automotive AI

In a groundbreaking move, Canadian startup Tenstorrent and South Korean chipmaker BOS Semiconductors, backed by Hyundai Motor Group, have jointly unveiled advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips designed specifically for in-vehicle infotainment and autonomous driving systems. This marks a significant step forward as vehicles increasingly transform into 'computers on wheels', requiring high-performance AI chips to manage complex features.

Innovative Chiplet Technology

The newly introduced chips are the industry's first "automotive chiplet AI accelerator". According to Park Jae-hong, founder of BOS Semiconductors, this technology allows automakers to customize their systems, much like LEGO blocks, enabling flexibility and cost reduction through targeted updates. BOS Semiconductors is currently in discussions with German automakers to supply these products, named "Eagle-N", which are set to debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in January and enter production by late 2026.

Challenging Industry Giants

With this innovation, BOS Semiconductors aims to carve out a niche in the competitive automotive AI chip market, challenging established players such as Qualcomm. Notably, Park previously developed chips for Apple and Tesla during his tenure at Samsung Electronics. The "Eagle-N" chips will be manufactured using Samsung's advanced 5nm process, highlighting the collaboration between these tech giants.

Leadership and Investment

The leadership behind Tenstorrent includes Jim Keller, a former Apple chip designer who also spearheaded Tesla's autonomous driving chip development. The company has attracted significant investment from Hyundai Motor Group, Samsung, and Jeff Bezos' family office, underscoring the potential of this new technology.