Full-scale development of core technologies for “Physical AI Semiconductors” begins 

The Department of Intelligent Semiconductor Engineering at Korea University Sejong Campus has been selected for the "University ICT Research Center (ITRC)" project supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT). Consequently, the department will receive research funding totaling 4 billion won over the next eight years, at a rate of 500 million won per year.

The ITRC project is a government-supported initiative designed to develop core original technologies in the ICT sector centered around universities and to cultivate high-level research personnel, such as master’s and doctoral students, based on industrial demand. Its primary goals include establishing research hubs and linking technology to commercialization through industry-academic cooperation.

Through this project, the Department of Intelligent Semiconductor Engineering at Korea University Sejong Campus will undertake the "Development of Ultra-reliable, Secure, and Low-power Intelligent Semiconductor System Technology for Physical AI." The project aims to move beyond traditional cloud-centered AI architectures to implement "Physical AI Semiconductors," where computations occur directly within the sensors. This represents a core foundational technology for AI systems operating in actual physical environments, such as autonomous driving, robotics, bio-health, and smart manufacturing, and marks a shift toward a next-generation semiconductor paradigm that simultaneously requires ultra-low latency, low power consumption, and high reliability.

Furthermore, the department plans to enhance the feasibility of technology demonstration and commercialization by collaborating with industry partners, including Thoth, DeepMedi, and Bestbone. Specifically, DeepMedi will handle on-device AI algorithms, Thoth will focus on physical AI-based demonstration systems, and Bestbone will collaborate on semiconductor and system technologies to accelerate the industrial application of research results.

In terms of human resource development, a core component of the ITRC project, the university will promote the cultivation of practical semiconductor talent through Fab-based hands-on training, industry-academic projects, and an AI-semiconductor convergence curriculum. Through these efforts, the department intends to establish a virtuous cycle of education and research that bridges R&D with industrial sites.

Professor Lee of the Department of Intelligent Semiconductor Engineering, who serves as the project's general manager, stated: "In the era of Physical AI, low-power semiconductor technology equipped with security and reliability will become a key competitive advantage. Through this project, we will secure original technologies and establish a research ecosystem that extends all the way to industrial application."