South Korean AI chip startup DEEPX is expanding its collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group to develop a next-generation computing platform for generative AI-powered robots, as the company prepares for a potential initial public offering (IPO). The move comes alongside an ongoing funding round, with DEEPX aiming to raise more than 600 billion won (approximately $408 million), according to CEO Lokwon Kim.
Founded by former Apple engineer Lokwon Kim, DEEPX develops neural processing units (NPUs) designed to enable robots, smart factories, and autonomous vehicles to perform artificial intelligence tasks directly on-device, without relying on external connectivity. The company began chip production late last year and has already deployed its AI chips in Hyundai’s four-wheeled delivery robots.
The expanded partnership will see Hyundai’s upcoming robotics platform powered by DEEPX’s second-generation DX-M2 chips. These chips are expected to enter mass production next year using Samsung Electronics’ advanced 2-nanometer manufacturing technology. The new chips are specifically designed for generative AI applications, allowing robots to learn from experience and perform more complex autonomous functions.
According to Kim, DEEPX’s low-power chip architecture is particularly suited for humanoid robots, helping reduce overheating and improve operational efficiency. He also noted that the company’s current-generation chips are up to 20 times more power-efficient and significantly more cost-effective compared to Nvidia’s Jetson Orin platform.
The collaboration aligns with Hyundai Motor Group’s broader robotics ambitions. The company recently unveiled its Atlas humanoid robot and plans to build a manufacturing facility capable of producing up to 30,000 robot units annually by 2028. Hyundai’s Robotics LAB head Hyun Dong-jin said the partnership with DEEPX is part of a wider effort to build a strong on-device computing ecosystem both within South Korea and globally.
Beyond Hyundai, DEEPX has also secured customers including China’s Baidu and is targeting revenue of $40 million this year. Chief Financial Officer Young Cho confirmed that the company’s immediate priority is listing on the Korean stock market, while a potential secondary listing in the United States through American Depositary Receipts could be considered at a later stage. The company has not disclosed its valuation for the ongoing funding round.
