Adding to its already bombastic chip business, Samsung has today courted yet another partner in the form of automaker Audi. The Korean giant has announced that its Exynos processors will now power the infotainment system in Audi’s next-generation vehicles.
This partnership lies under the automaker’s Progressive SemiConductor Program (PSCP), which was flagged off in 2010. The primary aim of this program is to implement latest technologies into their vehicles. And Audi plans to maintain a standard of robustness, performance, and quality while doing so. Samsung is the latest partner supplier and will most likely provide its new 10nm Exynos SoC solutions to them.
Talking about the partnership, Alfons Pfaller, Head of Infotainment Development at Audi, says,
With Exynos processors, Samsung has proven its technology leadership in performance, reliability and innovative packaging solutions. Through the PSCP, Samsung and Audi will work together to bring the best in-vehicle infotainment experience at the automotive quality level expected from the Audi brand.
Using the Exynos processor in vehicles, the infotainment system can support multiple displays and multiple operating systems at the same time. The official statement says that the chip can power up to four displays inside the vehicle at once. It also offers strong graphical as well as read/write capabilities. It will provide enough computing power to support high-definition user engagement solutions.
Charlie Bae, Executive VP of Sales and Marketing, System LSI Business at Samsung Electronics also comments on the same as,
We are very thrilled to be a part of the rapidly advancing automobile technology. Samsung is fully dedicated to delivering a robust and reliable yet high-performing solution to Audi for the next level of driving enjoyment.
Further, the Korean tech giant is looking to rapidly scale its presence in the automobile car components market. It has already acquired the largest auto parts and audio accessories maker Harman for a significant $8 billion. This all-cash deal has, however, been deemed unruly by the shareholders.
These shareholders believe that the company’s board have accepted the deal at a valuation lower than the corporate value. Also, they didn’t court other potential takeover offers and just accepted the one they had. They will possibly vote against the merger deal. But only 50% votes are required to complete Harman’s acquisition. And if it goes through, Samsung will become a tier-1 auto parts supplier.
