“Design philosophy of weaving optimal solutions together, not a single SOC chip”… Drastically shortening development time

Recently, the robotics industry has been undergoing a rapid transformation centered on humanoid robots, represented by Tesla's Optimus, and AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots), which are the main players in logistics. However, the development field is still facing a triple challenge: the difficulty of controlling and synchronizing dozens of joints, maximizing battery efficiency, and strict safety certification.

To address these technical bottlenecks, the paradigm of semiconductor solutions is rapidly evolving from 'discrete components' to 'system integration.' In an interview with this publication, Yong-Kyu Cho, Executive Director at DABO, a key partner of Infineon Technologies, unveiled Infineon's unique 'system-level robotics solution' capable of fundamentally solving the problems faced by robot developers.


Humanoid's Precise Muscles, Perfected with the P4C3 MCU

Humanoid robots are equipped with at least dozens of actuators (joint motors) to replicate complex human movements. In the past, centralized control methods were dominant, but 'distributed control,' where each joint makes decisions and operates autonomously to ensure real-time performance and improve wiring efficiency, has become the mainstream.

Executive Director Cho Yong-kyu explained the unrivaled position that Infineon's P4C3 MCU holds in humanoid design as follows.

Since humanoids must control dozens of joint motors simultaneously, a system-level approach is essential. Despite being fingernail-sized, the P4C3 MCU is designed to perfectly drive next-generation devices such as CoolGaN™. In particular, equipped with DSP computing capabilities with a processing speed of at least 100 MHz, it is optimally equipped to independently manage each individual joint.

In fact, unlike existing general-purpose MCUs, the P4C3 is a lineup specialized for motor control, converters, and power conversion. Infineon's strategy is to gain the upper hand in the battle for peripherals optimized for power systems, rather than engaging in wasteful competition in the general-purpose market.

Driver size reduced by 40% with CoolGaN™… EMI noise eliminated

The biggest obstacle in robot drive system design is heat generation caused by power loss and the resulting increase in volume. Infineon's next-generation power semiconductor, CoolGaN™ (Gallium Nitride), is the key to solving this problem. Coolgan devices have a loss rate 20–60% lower than conventional silicon (Si) MOSFETs, resulting in significantly less heat generation.

Executive Director Cho emphasized, “By applying CoolGaN™, the size of the motor driver can be reduced by up to 40% compared to existing models,” adding, “Since the miniaturized driver can be directly integrated inside the motor housing, the problem of EMI (electromagnetic interference) caused by long cables can be fundamentally resolved.” Combined with double-sided cooling technology, this provides greater freedom in robot design, enabling high output without the need for separate, massive heat sinks.

Redefining SOC: A 'Design Philosophy' Beyond Physical Integration

The most notable aspect of this interview is the shift in perspective regarding 'SoC (System on Chip).' While SoC typically refers to packing all functions onto a single silicon chip, integrating the diverse heterogeneous chips required for a robotic system into one is physically nearly impossible. During the interview, Executive Vice President Cho clearly clarified this terminology and revealed Infineon's philosophy.

The SoC mentioned in this webinar does not refer to the physical SoC we commonly know, but rather to Infineon's 'design philosophy' of weaving together optimized semiconductors into a single system. MCUs, sensors, power devices, and security solutions are prepared in the form of verified reference boards, allowing customers to utilize them as if they were a single SoC to quickly complete a Proof of Concept (POC). This is the very essence of the Time to Market reduction that Infineon pursues.

Combination of Perception and Safety: 360-Degree Robot Head and BMS

In the field of mobile robots (AGVs and AMRs), cognitive ability and power stability are critical. Infineon presents an integrated platform that combines radar, ToF (Time-of-Flight), and microphones to simultaneously achieve perception and safety.

In particular, Infineon’s 60GHz radar sensor goes beyond simply providing driving data to detect minute movements and ensure human safety. When combined with the high-precision measurement capabilities of the BMS (Battery Management System) and the protection logic of the MCU, the demanding Functional Safety certification process becomes significantly easier.


Future robot security armed with quantum-resistant encryption

As robots become more deeply integrated into daily life, cybersecurity is a necessity, not an option. The P4C3 MCU supports a security architecture based on quantum-resistant encryption. This prevents tampering with the robot's firmware and guarantees the integrity of data communication, thereby preemptively blocking security risks that may occur during the mass production phase.

Finally, Executive Director Cho stated that through this solution, developers will “re-examine the efficiency and size of motor drivers currently being designed and review the possibilities of multi-sensor fusion, such as radar or ToF,” expressing his confidence that Infineon’s system solution will serve as a catalyst to elevate the competitiveness of the Korean robot industry to the next level.