KD Highlights Growing Industry Momentum for Optical Connectivity at AutoSens USA 2026
2026-06-12 · KD
KD’s participation at AutoSens USA once again confirmed the accelerating shift toward optical connectivity in automotive applications, with a noticeable increase in targeted discussions compared to previous editions. Representing the company on site, Juan Luis Matus, Customer Success Manager, and Robert Van Hamersveld, Business Development Manager for USA, engaged with a wide range of industry stakeholders exploring next generation in vehicle communication technologies.
Visitors had the opportunity to explore several live demonstrations showcasing the maturity of optical connectivity across different environments. These included a new optical camera link developed together with OMNIVISION, combining the OX03C10 HDR image sensor with KD’s KD7251 serializer for real time image transmission over optical fiber. In addition, a camera connectivity demonstration developed by Leopard Imaging, combined with KD’s KD7251 transceiver and a connector from Corning, showcased robust high-speed optical communication for next-generation sensing systems. Complementing these, a system level communication setup in collaboration with Vector Measurement illustrated validation and testing approaches for optical automotive networks. The demonstrations could be experienced not only at the KD stand but also at the Vector and OMNIVISION booths, showcasing how our transceivers are already being integrated into real world use cases across the ecosystem. This multi location presence highlighted the practical implementation of our technology in end to end optical communication setups, reinforcing its readiness for deployment in next generation automotive architectures.
Throughout the event, KD’s booth attracted visitors with clearly defined interests in optical solutions, particularly in relation to high bandwidth sensor data, low latency transmission, and system reliability. Many conversations moved beyond general curiosity, focusing instead on practical implementation challenges, validation approaches, and integration into existing automotive architectures.
A recurring theme across these discussions was the growing need to understand the timeline for transitioning from copper based systems to optical connectivity. Attendees showed strong interest in when this shift will take place and what conditions will drive broader adoption, reflecting a market that is actively preparing for this evolution rather than simply observing it.
Compared to previous years, the level of technical depth and specificity in conversations has increased significantly. This indicates that optical automotive Ethernet is no longer perceived as a distant innovation, but as a viable and increasingly necessary solution to address the limitations of traditional electrical networks in software defined vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems.
AutoSens USA provided an important platform for KD to reinforce its position within this transition, contributing to ongoing industry dialogue and supporting stakeholders as they navigate the path toward optical implementation. The strong engagement at the booth underscores a clear trend: the move from copper to optical is no longer a question of if, but when.
Click here to watch the interview with Robert Van Hamersveld for AutoSens USA.
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.