KD Expands Automotive and Semiconductor Opportunities at KES 2026
2026-10-16 · KD
KD concluded its participation at Korea Electronics Show (KES) 2026 with new discussions across the automotive, semiconductor and research communities, strengthening the company’s connections within South Korea’s technology ecosystem. Held from October 13 to 16 at COEX in Seoul, the 57th edition of KES brought together around 500 companies and institutions spanning AI, robotics, mobility, digital health, electronic components and other advanced technology fields. The event, which was expected to attract up to 70,000 visitors, featured major Korean technology groups including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and LG Innotek, alongside startups, research organizations, universities and international companies.
Participating through the EU Business Hub, KD was represented by Jang Won Lee, Korea Country Manager, David Cheng, Business Development & Sales Manager Asia, and Hiro Cheng, a member of KD’s Asian business development team. Throughout the four-day exhibition, the team welcomed visitors from a wide range of Korean and international companies, research institutes and academic institutions. Discussions were particularly active around automotive applications, with interest from established industry players and Korean autonomous-driving startups, as well as government-funded research institutes and universities. This engagement reflected the broader momentum around automotive electronics at KES 2026, where advanced vehicle technologies, sensing systems and mobility solutions had a significant presence.
At the stand, visitors could explore two live demonstrations built around the KD7251 multigigabit automotive optical transceiver. The first established an optical communication link between two EVB7251 evaluation boards, demonstrating IEEE 802.3cz-compliant communication over OM3 multimode glass optical fiber at speeds of up to 10 Gb/s and providing a practical platform for evaluating BASE-AU connectivity. KD also showcased the 10GBASE-AU automotive camera system developed together with Leopard Imaging and Corning, integrating the KD7251 into a compact camera module and demonstrating 10 Gb/s transmission over glass optical fiber. Together, the two setups provided different perspectives on how standardized optical Ethernet can be evaluated and implemented in next-generation vehicle networks.
Interest at the show also extended beyond automotive connectivity. KD received inquiries from companies in the semiconductor industry regarding potential collaboration opportunities, creating a basis for further discussions after the exhibition. This broader engagement was particularly relevant at an event that brings together companies and institutions from across the electronics value chain, from semiconductors and components to AI, mobility and advanced electronic systems. The diversity of visitors to KD’s stand highlighted opportunities for the company’s technology and expertise beyond its core automotive applications.
For KD, KES 2026 provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen industry connections in Korea, exchange technical perspectives and identify new areas for collaboration across both automotive and semiconductor applications. The engagement from established technology companies, autonomous-driving startups, research institutes and universities reinforced the value of building a stronger presence in one of Asia’s most advanced electronics markets. Following the discussions initiated in Seoul, KD will continue working to turn the interest generated at the show into concrete opportunities for technical and commercial collaboration.
About KD
KD is a Spanish semiconductor company leading the market for high-speed data transmission through optical fiber in challenging environments. For 15 years, the company has been reinventing the way optical communications are made to make them robust and affordable enough for the automotive, consumer and industrial markets.