Bos Semiconductor, LG Electronics, Hana Micron Team on Korean Chiplet Auto Chips

Bos Semiconductor, LG Electronics and Hana Micron have formed a partnership to localize chiplet-based automotive semiconductors in South Korea, Chosunbiz reported.

The three companies will cooperate on domestic development and production of auto chips built on chiplet architecture. Under the arrangement, each partner covers a distinct layer of the supply chain. Bos Semiconductor brings chiplet design. LG Electronics supplies system-level integration for vehicles. Hana Micron contributes packaging and manufacturing capability.

The deal targets one of Korea's most import-dependent chip segments. Automotive semiconductors, unlike memory, have historically been sourced largely from foreign suppliers such as TI, Infineon and NXP. The partnership marks a rare attempt to build a domestic design-to-package chain for vehicle silicon on Korean soil.

Why chiplets for cars?

Chiplet technology splits a large system-on-chip into smaller modular dies. The modules connect through advanced packaging rather than a single monolithic die. The approach cuts design cost, raises yield and lets makers mix process nodes for different functions.

For automotive applications, chiplets allow faster delivery of software-defined vehicle platforms. Carmakers increasingly demand high-compute central controllers for driver assistance and in-cabin systems. Korean localization of that silicon would shorten supply lines for local automakers and reduce exposure to foreign foundry and packaging capacity.

What role does each company play?

The division of labor follows each firm's existing strength:

• Bos Semiconductor: chiplet architecture and automotive chip design.
• LG Electronics: vehicle systems integration and automotive electronics business.
• Hana Micron: semiconductor packaging and module manufacturing in Korea.

LG Electronics has built an automotive components business over the past decade through its VS division, supplying infotainment and vehicle compute platforms to global carmakers. Hana Micron operates packaging capacity serving domestic and overseas chip customers. Bos Semiconductor focuses on automotive processors designed around chiplet structures.

How does this fit Korea's localization drive?

Seoul has pushed to reduce reliance on imported chips across strategic industries. Automotive silicon sits high on that list because vehicle production depends on a narrow set of foreign suppliers. The chip shortage of 2021 and 2022 forced Korean automakers to cut output when foreign chip supply faltered.

A domestic chiplet chain would give Korean carmakers an alternative source for compute silicon. It would also align with government programs that fund local fabless design and advanced packaging capacity. The partnership signals that Korean firms now see chiplets as the fastest route to competitive automotive processors, rather than trying to replicate monolithic designs from established vendors.

What happens next?

The companies have not disclosed production volumes, timelines or financial terms. Commercialization will depend on qualifying automotive-grade silicon, a multi-year process with strict safety and reliability requirements.

If the partnership delivers, Korean automakers could source core vehicle compute chips domestically for the first time, shifting a segment of the auto silicon market that foreign vendors have held for decades.