MediaTek Unveils 3nm Automotive Chip

MediaTek is making significant strides into the automotive sector, introducing its Dimensity Smart Cockpit solution, built using TSMC's 3nm technology. Collaborating with global leaders like Cadence and Sensory, MediaTek is set to redefine in-car experiences for the new era of smart driving. Industry giants such as Qualcomm and Samsung have long been in the automotive chip market. Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride platform powers integrated solutions for ADAS and smart cockpits, already used by BMW and Audi, while Samsung's Exynos Auto V AI processor supports multi-screen and multi-camera systems.

The Dimensity Smart Cockpit, first unveiled by Cadence, showcases a partnership with AI natural language expert Sensory. Integrated into the Dimensity auto platform, the system enhances the driving experience by offering features such as voice-activated digital assistants for navigation, music selection, and more. With AI integration, the smart cockpit provides enhanced safety and personalized experiences for different drivers.

Ephrem Chemaly, MediaTek's GM and VP of Automotive Business, highlighted that MediaTek's expertise in mobile chips, AI, and connectivity will give it a competitive edge in the automotive field. The Dimensity auto platform encompasses a smart cockpit platform, autonomous driving systems, in-vehicle connectivity, and key components. The cockpit platform uses Armv9 CPU and NVIDIA RTX GPU to offer hardware acceleration for large language models (LLMs) and in-car generative AI.

The autonomous driving system, powered by MediaTek's high-performance AI processing unit (APU), supports advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), driver monitoring, and passenger monitoring. MediaTek's strengths in wireless communications are evident, as the platform integrates 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, global satellite navigation systems (GNSS), and NTN satellite communication. It also includes key automotive components such as power management chips, display drivers, and camera ISPs for automotive applications.

With edge AI poised to be the next big frontier in smart vehicles, MediaTek is not alone in its ambitions. Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Samsung are all vying for dominance. Samsung, in particular, aims to become a leading automotive semiconductor player by 2025, securing orders from Tesla for its Autopilot self-driving chips, with the HW5.0 set to be produced using Samsung's 4nm technology. This growing collaboration between Samsung and Tesla reflects the industry's shift toward greater control over critical components.