"Haptic integrated circuits (ICs) and other automotive semiconductor solutions are now being installed across Hyundai Motor's entire lineup. By targeting overseas markets, we will surpass 100 billion won in sales in the automotive semiconductor business within three years."
On the 8th (local time) at CES 2026, the world's largest IT and home appliance show held in Las Vegas, Kim Dong-cheol, 67, CEO of Dongwoon Anatech, said this. Kim graduated from Seoul National University's department of German language and literature and began his career in semiconductors when he joined Samsung Semiconductor in 1982. In 1987, he founded Dongwoon Sangsa, the predecessor of Dongwoon Anatech, and has led the semiconductor business for nearly 40 years.
Dongwoon Anatech maintains the No. 1 global market position in driver ICs for smartphone camera autofocus (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS). To diversify a business structure concentrated on smartphones, it has targeted the automotive semiconductor market and has delivered results since 2020. According to FnGuide, Dongwoon Anatech's sales last year are estimated at 125.5 billion won, with operating profit at 6.8 billion won. Of that, automotive semiconductor sales last year are estimated at around 20 billion won.
Dongwoon Anatech is currently supplying haptic ICs across Hyundai Motor's entire lineup. It recently expanded its product lineup to include body domain controllers (BDC), which control various in-vehicle convenience features such as entry, ignition, windows, and heaters, and power management ICs (PMIC) for camera modules used in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). New products such as BDCs from Dongwoon Anatech will enter additional mass production next year and be supplied to clients.
Kim said he entered the automotive semiconductor business to localize production in a market dominated by overseas semiconductor corporations such as Texas Instruments (TI), Infineon Technologies AG, and onsemi. He said, "In Korea, Dongwoon Anatech is the only company providing automotive semiconductor solutions such as haptic ICs and BDCs," adding, "Clients were also strongly committed to diversifying supply chains, which led us to push ahead with the automotive semiconductor business."
At the end of 2020, the automotive semiconductor market experienced a supply crunch in which supply could not keep up with demand. As ADAS advanced and electric vehicles and other models spread, the number of semiconductors installed per vehicle increased significantly, but production failed to keep pace, causing delays in new car deliveries. In addition, as the Chinese government imposed a total export ban on automotive semiconductor corporations such as Nexperia, the auto industry is accelerating efforts to diversify semiconductor supply chains.
Kim explained that know-how from the mobile semiconductor business and collaboration with U.S.-based Immersion led to a swift market entry. Immersion is a corporation that effectively holds an exclusive position in supplying semiconductor intellectual property (IP) related to "haptic feedback," which provides realistic tactile sensations through vibrations or movements when touching screens on smartphones, game consoles, and other devices.
He said, "Based on the results we achieved in mobile AF driver ICs and optical image stabilization (OIS) semiconductors, we accelerated development of automotive semiconductors and secured a new growth engine," adding, "Partnering with U.S.-based Immersion, which holds a dominant position in the haptics market, is also one of the secrets to rapid market entry."
Kim said the company will expand beyond Hyundai Motor and Kia to overseas markets to drive sales growth. He said, "With Hyundai Motor and others as clients, we have earned market trust. At this year's CES booth, overseas clients also visited Dongwoon Anatech and showed interest in our technology," adding, "As additional product lines enter mass production next year, we can reach 100 billion won in sales within three years."