Autonomous Vehicle News
South Korea's Samsung Electro-Mechanics has started mass-producing power inductors, an essential component of electric (EV) and self-driving vehicles, under plans to develop the part as its second multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC).The company on Sunday said it launched full-scale production of the part for use in EV cameras with self-driving systems. The component ensures stable power supply to semiconductors that process autonomous driving information by preventing rapid changes in current.With high productivity and a small size of just 2 mm wide and 1.6 mm long, the company's products come in two types: one with a capacity of 1.0 uH (microhenry) and the other 2.2 uH. It self-developed a magnetic material with excellent characteristics and low energy loss through its material technology and experience accumulated from MLCC operations.Another advantage is the wide range of applications of Samsung Electro-Mechanics inductors because they meet AEC-Q200, a test standard requiring high reliability for automotive electronic parts. Its power inductors can also be used in advanced driver-assisted systems and infotainment in vehicles.The aggressive rollout of EVs and self-driving cars on the automotive market has prompted growth of related markets. The power inductor sector is seen to grow an average 9% per year to $3.6 billion in 2028, but that for inductors used in electronic vehicle equipment is forecast to grow faster at 12%.Ye-Rin Choi at rambutan@hankyung.com