As cars evolve more advanced, there is a growing need for AI chips capable of managing the high-performance tasks required for advanced features.
On Thursday, Canadian startup Tenstorrent, alongside BOS Semiconductors—a South Korean chip startup backed by Hyundai Motor Group—unveiled artificial intelligence (AI) chips specifically designed for in-vehicle infotainment and autonomous driving applications. This release marks a significant development as vehicles increasingly transform into “computers on wheels,” with growing demands for AI chips capable of managing the high-performance workloads essential for advanced vehicle functionalities.
The newly introduced chips represent the industry’s inaugural “automotive chiplet AI accelerator,” a sophisticated technology that utilises chiplets—small chips that combine like LEGO blocks. This innovative approach allows automakers to customize their systems to meet specific requirements and reduce costs by enabling updates of particular functionalities rather than overhauling entire systems.
Further expanding their market reach, BOS Semiconductors is currently negotiating with several German automakers to supply these products, referred to as “Eagle-N.” These chips are scheduled to make their public debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, with production set to commence in late 2026. Positioned to carve out a niche market, BOS Semiconductors aims to challenge established giants like Qualcomm in the automotive AI chip sector.
The founder of BOS Semiconductors, Park Jae-hong, who previously contributed to chip development for Apple and Tesla at Samsung Electronics, mentioned that the Eagle-N chips would be produced using one of Samsung’s advanced 5nm manufacturing processes.
Meanwhile, Tenstorrent, led by Jim Keller—a former Apple chip designer with experience in autonomous driving chip development at Tesla—continues to attract significant investment, counting entities such as Hyundai Motor Group, Samsung, and Jeff Bezos’ family office among its backers.
