US giants are poised to monopolize self-driving platform market
Large U.S. companies, armed with competitive technology in high-performance automotive semiconductors and software, are strengthening their control over the future car market, causing concerns about Korean firms’ technological subordination. Moreover, these tech giants are developing self-driving software and computing platforms to license them out to foreign companies needing them. Therefore, the domestic auto industry must create an ecosystem of cooperative development to secure its competitiveness.
According to a Korea Automotive Technology Institute report, large U.S. carmakers and semiconductor companies equipped with integration and platform technology are solidifying their positions as “global platformers.” For instance, electric vehicle (EV) frontrunner Tesla has created its “Dojo” artificial intelligence platform, which integrates chips and software to demonstrate a new level of performance and scalability. In addition, Qualcomm, which unveiled its “Snapdragon Ride” autonomous driving platform at CES 2020, is diversifying its driverless vehicle business.
Big tech companies, such as Apple, Amazon and Google, are speeding up the independent development of their chips to get out of ecosystem dependence. For example, Apple has escaped from its reliance on Intel by installing the “M1” chip, a self-developed CPU, in its products. Likewise, it will develop the “C1” chip for use in its vehicle models. Global carmakers, including Volkswagen and Toyota, are also preparing for the internalization of technology.
According to the report, Korean carmakers rely on foreign products for most of their automotive semiconductor needs. It therefore comes as a relief that Hyundai Motor has merged the group’s software affiliates, including Hyundai AutoEver and Hyundai Autron, to integrate the conglomerate’s software capabilities. Hyundai Mobis has taken over Hyundai Autron’s semiconductor business to diversify and localize the supply network of vehicle chips. The nation’s largest carmaker is going in the right direction, although it is somewhat overdue.
Autonomous vehicles are shaping a new industry that provides mobility convergence services by reproducing the values of space and time on the road. Korean carmakers and parts makers are also seeking to move toward the mobility industry but are experiencing limitations. It is problematic that the government has excluded autonomous vehicles and other future car technologies from the list of national strategic technologies. A policy change is urgently needed to support autonomous vehicle-related companies and technologies.
Large U.S. companies, armed with competitive technology in high-performance automotive semiconductors and software, are strengthening their control over the future car market, causing concerns about Korean firms’ technological subordination. Moreover, these tech giants are developing self-driving software and computing platforms to license them out to foreign companies needing them. Therefore, the domestic auto industry must create an ecosystem of cooperative development to secure its competitiveness.
According to a Korea Automotive Technology Institute report, large U.S. carmakers and semiconductor companies equipped with integration and platform technology are solidifying their positions as “global platformers.” For instance, electric vehicle (EV) frontrunner Tesla has created its “Dojo” artificial intelligence platform, which integrates chips and software to demonstrate a new level of performance and scalability. In addition, Qualcomm, which unveiled its “Snapdragon Ride” autonomous driving platform at CES 2020, is diversifying its driverless vehicle business.
Big tech companies, such as Apple, Amazon and Google, are speeding up the independent development of their chips to get out of ecosystem dependence. For example, Apple has escaped from its reliance on Intel by installing the “M1” chip, a self-developed CPU, in its products. Likewise, it will develop the “C1” chip for use in its vehicle models. Global carmakers, including Volkswagen and Toyota, are also preparing for the internalization of technology.
According to the report, Korean carmakers rely on foreign products for most of their automotive semiconductor needs. It therefore comes as a relief that Hyundai Motor has merged the group’s software affiliates, including Hyundai AutoEver and Hyundai Autron, to integrate the conglomerate’s software capabilities. Hyundai Mobis has taken over Hyundai Autron’s semiconductor business to diversify and localize the supply network of vehicle chips. The nation’s largest carmaker is going in the right direction, although it is somewhat overdue.
Autonomous vehicles are shaping a new industry that provides mobility convergence services by reproducing the values of space and time on the road. Korean carmakers and parts makers are also seeking to move toward the mobility industry but are experiencing limitations. It is problematic that the government has excluded autonomous vehicles and other future car technologies from the list of national strategic technologies. A policy change is urgently needed to support autonomous vehicle-related companies and technologies.
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