SEALSQ and IC’ALPS to advance post-Quantum secure ASICs for automotive functional safety

SEALSQ Corp., a company that focuses on developing and selling semiconductors, PKI and post-Quantum technology hardware and software products, today announces a strategic collaboration with IC’ALPS, a premier ASIC design house specializing in custom integrated circuits ready for IATF16949 standard, mastering functional safety for ISO 26262 with solutions tailored to meet the required ASIL levels.

As announced in February 2025, SEALSQ entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire 100% of the share capital and voting rights of IC’ALPS. As disclosed, the acquisition is subject to, amongst other items, the completion of the appropriate due diligence, execution of definitive agreements, and authorization by French regulatory authorities.

With proven track records in automotive applications, IC’ALPS brings expertise in power management ICs, quality design, test-fault coverage and FMEDA (Failure Modes, Effects and Diagnostic Analysis) — positioning this partnership to redefine automotive safety and security by introducing a new class of ASICs tailored for functional safety in the age of post-quantum computing.

In an era where modern vehicles can contain more than 1,400 semiconductor components, the role of Functional Safety has become mission critical. Electronics now account for over 40% of a vehicle's cost-doubling from just 18% in the early 2000s. As vehicles become more autonomous, connected, and software-defined, ASICs must deliver more than just performance—they must guarantee safety, reliability, and compliance with the most rigorous standards.

Enabling functional safety with ISO 26262 ASICs
Through this partnership, SEALSQ’s post-quantum secure technology will be integrated into IC’ALPS’ automotive ASIC designs, providing robust cryptographic resistance against quantum-era threats. 

IC’ALPS brings extensive experience in designing chips for systems requiring high Automotive Safety Integrity Levels (ASILs), including analog (LED drivers, PMICs, DCDC converters, high-precision current sensors among others), and digital (embedded microcontroller, hardware accelerators for data signal processing) functions ensuring resilience against both systematic and random hardware failures.

ASICs allow system integrators to consolidate multiple functions into a single chip, reducing component count, improving reliability, and enhancing system efficiency. With IC’ALPS’ IATF16949-ready design methodology and rigorous test fault coverage for quality assurance, combined with SEALSQ’s cryptographic IP, automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers will benefit from ultra-secure, deterministic, and highly customized semiconductor solutions.

Benefits of post-Quantum ASICs in automotive 
Functional safety compliance: Designed with technical safety requirements (TSRs) mapped from high-level safety goals to ensure ISO 26262 certification.
Integrated security: Native post-quantum cryptography with embedded secure elements and fail-safe mechanisms.
Miniaturization and performance: Reduced system complexity through the integration of digital, analog, RF, and power management functions.
Electromagnetic immunity: Enhanced EMI resistance and EMC validation to ensure robust operation within complex automotive environments.
Real-time responsiveness: Deterministic behavior and low-latency performance essential for safety-critical decisions in autonomous driving systems.
Comprehensive support: Backed by IC’ALPS’ customer support, including product training, layout guidelines, and system-level simulation models.

Addressing challenges of functional safety design
ASIC development in automotive contexts requires close collaboration between IC designers and system architects to accurately translate ASIL requirements into chip-level safety mechanisms. IC’ALPS and SEALSQ are co-developing methodologies to ensure safety goals are traceable and measurable—from FMEDA analyses to integrated diagnostics and self-monitoring circuits, supported by IC’ALPS’ expertise in application-level validation, debug with design teams, and mature knowledge of functional safety ASIC design methodology.

Beyond compliance, the collaboration prioritizes optimization—ensuring that safety features do not unnecessarily inflate development cycles or costs, while leveraging IC’ALPS’ project support to streamline integration for OEMs, preserving the competitive edge for automotive clients.

Vision for secure and safe mobility
This partnership marks a decisive step forward in shaping the future of automotive security. By embedding post-quantum cryptography and functional safety mechanisms directly into automotive ASICs, SEALSQ and IC’ALPS are empowering the next generation of electric, connected, and autonomous vehicles to be not only smarter—but safer and future-proof with best-in-class expertise driving innovation.