Oct. 01, 2025 –
(Kuala Lumpur )
Key ASIC Berhad (“Key ASIC” or “the Company”), a leader in ASIC design and innovation, has signed a contract worth RM1.11 million with a navigation systems company in the Middle East to jointly develop an AI-driven RF- integrated navigation chip.
The new chip is designed with ultra-low power consumption, higher accuracy, and high- performance capabilities, making it a breakthrough in next-generation navigation technology that combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) with advanced Radio Frequency (RF) integration. This unique synergy allows the chip to deliver precise, reliable, and energy-efficient navigation across a wide range of commercial applications. The chip is scheduled to tape-out in Q3 of 2026, with engineering samples expected shortly after, followed by mass production to meet global demand.
AI and RF Integration: A Market Differentiator. The integration of AI with RF technology sets this chip apart from conventional navigation solutions by enabling smarter, more resilient, andscalable performance. AI-driven algorithms improve positioning accuracy by filtering noise, compensating for weak or distorted signals, and predicting user movement in real time. RF technology ensures consistent connectivity and robust signal capture across environments. Together, they deliver higher accuracy, faster response times, and superior reliability for navigation systems — a critical advantage in markets such as automotive, IoT, industrial automation, and healthcare.
Engineering Value: Smarter Processing, Lower Power From an engineering perspective, the chip employs adaptive AI algorithms embedded in the ASIC architecture to handle dynamic conditions such as urban canyons, tunnels, and multipath interference. This reduces the dependency on external processing, significantly lowering system power consumption. The RF front-end is optimized for signal integrity and sensitivity, enabling stable operation even in high-interference zones. This architecture ensures a balance between performance, energy efficiency, and die size, making it highly scalable for both consumer and industrial-grade deployments.
Applications and Market Potential:
1. Automotive & Smart Mobility
• Powers in-dash navigation, autonomous driving, fleet management, ride-hailing, and Electronic Road Pricing (ERP).
• TAM: >USD 15B by 2033, fueled by connected and self-driving vehicles.
2. IoT & Smart Cities
• Supports traffic management, asset tracking, ride-sharing, last-mile delivery, and congestion control.
• TAM: >USD 10B by 2033, driven by rapid urbanization and IoT adoption.
3. Industrial Automation & Robotics
• Enables warehouse automation, precision agriculture, construction equipment, and drones.
• TAM: >USD 40B by 2033, with navigation chips powering efficiency and autonomy.
4. Healthcare & Emergency Services
• Critical for ambulance dispatch, medical drone delivery, and wearables for patient monitoring.
• TAM: ~USD 5B by 2033, as digital health and emergency tech accelerate.
5. Consumer Electronics & Wearables
• Embedded in smartphones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, and personal navigation devices.
• TAM: >USD 20B annually, representing the largest volume of navigation-enabled devices.
Collectively, these applications represent a global TAM exceeding USD 90B by 2033, with strong demand across consumer, industrial, and infrastructure markets.
Revenue Streams and Licensing Opportunities: Key ASIC anticipates multiple monetization pathways from this development:
• Direct Chip Sales: Supplying chips for integration into automotive, IoT, healthcare, industrial, and consumer electronics systems.
• Licensing of IP: Offering the AI-RF navigation IP blocks to global semiconductor companies and OEMs.
• Ecosystem Partnerships: Collaborating with system integrators, smart city solution providers, and device manufacturers.
• Recurring Revenue: Potential software and firmware updates powered by AI models that continuously enhance navigation performance.
These revenue streams position Key ASIC to capture both high-volume consumer markets and high-value industrial sectors, delivering strong upside potential for investors while ensuring wide adoption across industries.
“This partnership represents a milestone in advancing ASIC innovation with AI and RF integration in navigation technology,” said Eg Kah Yee, Chief Executive Officer of Key ASIC Berhad. “Our jointly developed chip will not only deliver higher accuracy and ultra-low power efficiency but also unlock opportunities across the global commercial navigation market.”