The research team led by Professor Bae Hak-yeol of the Division of Electronic Engineering, together with Pebble Square Co., Ltd. (CEO Dr. Chung‑Hyun Lee) and the research team of Professor Kim Sang‑hyun of KAIST (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering), will undertake joint research to develop next-generation memory-based intelligent semiconductors.

To this end, they recently signed a memorandum of understanding for joint research and pledged to achieve the best possible research outcomes through a close collaborative network.

Pebble Square Co., Ltd. is a startup developing ultra-low-power edge AI chips. Using Processing-In-Memory (PIM) technology, it designs and manufactures intelligent semiconductor chips and modules that perform audio and video signal processing using data embedded on the chip rather than relying on cloud server data.

Recently, it developed image-based motion-recognition systems, such as voice-activated lighting/emergency-call systems to improve convenience for elderly people living alone and persons with disabilities, and fog and black-ice detection systems aimed at crisis awareness and traffic accident prevention.

Professor Kim Sang-hyun of KAIST and the research team of Professor Bae Hak-yeol of Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) are conducting research on next-generation semiconductor devices and circuit development. Through this agreement, they plan to pursue development of next-generation system/memory semiconductors; development of ultra-low-power, high-reliability systems; and development of durability evaluation technologies.

They will also share infrastructure for conducting research projects, establish cooperative relationships to carry out national R&D programs, exchange technical and academic information in new industries and technologies, and continue efforts to cultivate practical talent through university–industry technology collaboration.

In addition, they plan to establish a close cooperative network in future technologies — including voice and image sensor module and system development technologies, and artificial intelligence, a core technology of the Fourth Industrial Revolution — and to conduct joint research in these areas.