Chinese automotive chip maker SemiDrive has won the "Best Technology Practice Application" prize at Gasgoo's 2026 Golden Award, an industry recognition that evaluates technologies already in real-world use, according to Chinese outlet D1EV.
The eighth edition of the Golden Award, themed "Chinese Solutions Going Global," covers ADAS/AD (advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving), intelligent cockpits, chassis, automotive-grade chips, software and AI, powertrain electrification, embodied intelligence and cross-border technologies. The specific award SemiDrive received focuses on solutions that have demonstrated clear industrial value through actual application, market validation and growth potential.
E3650 flagship MCU
SemiDrive's E3650, a flagship automotive MCU (microcontroller unit) designed for next-generation electrical and electronic architectures, stood out among the candidates. Built on a 22nm automotive-grade process, the chip features a 600MHz multi-core Cortex-R52+ cluster and 16MB of embedded non-volatile memory. It has reached volume production and passed AEC-Q100 Grade 1 reliability certification, a key benchmark for automotive components operating in harsh conditions.
The E3650 integrates a security module and supports China's national cryptographic algorithms, meeting ISO/SAE 21434 cybersecurity requirements. It is designed for high-safety applications including zone controllers, steer-by-wire chassis, integrated cockpit-drive platforms and powertrain domain control, providing computing power for cross-domain fusion architectures.
SemiDrive said the E3650 has secured design wins with mainstream automakers, covering most next-generation domain control platforms and already shipping in multiple production models. The company positions the chip as a mainstream choice for new zonal and intelligent driving domain platforms.
Mass production as the benchmark
The company argues that the true value of technological innovation is tested in volume production. The path from laboratory breakthroughs to front-loading mass production engineering, and then to scaled delivery and continuous market feedback, is becoming the core measure of a chip company's industrial value, SemiDrive said in its award statement.
The award marks another industry recognition of SemiDrive's technical strength and production capability. The company said it will continue to focus on automotive-grade chips, aiming to support the industry's evolution through reliable products and stable delivery.
SemiDrive, founded in 2018, develops automotive-grade chips including MCUs and system-on-chips for intelligent cockpits and driving. The company has been expanding its footprint in China's increasingly competitive automotive semiconductor market, where domestic suppliers are gaining ground amid a push for supply chain resilience.
