Strengthening their long-standing partnership, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp. have announced plans to create a joint venture in Kumamoto, Japan for the development of next-generation image sensors.
In a statement released on Friday, the global chipmaker said it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Sony to establish a strategic partnership focused on developing and rolling out advanced image sensor technology.
According to TSMC, the proposed joint venture will be based in Koshi City, Kumamoto, where development and production lines will be built inside Sony’s newly constructed fabrication facility. Sony is expected to hold a majority controlling stake in the venture.
The collaboration aims to combine Sony’s expertise in sensor design with TSMC’s advanced process technology and manufacturing capabilities to improve sensor performance.
TSMC also said discussions are ongoing regarding potential investments in the joint venture. The investments, along with additional capital spending by Sony at its existing Nagasaki facility, will be carried out in phases based on market demand. The projects are also expected to receive support from the Japanese government.
The partnership will explore business opportunities in sectors including automotive and robotics applications.
“Sony has been our long-time partner in the CMOS image sensor business,” TSMC Senior Vice President and Deputy Co-COO Kevin Zhang said in the statement.
“We are excited to elevate our collaboration to the next level, which represents a key step forward in driving future sensing technology in the AI era,” he added.
Sony Semiconductor Solutions President and CEO Shinji Sashida said the joint venture marks the beginning of efforts to combine the strengths of both companies.
The joint venture “aims to drive further advancement in technology and business within the next-generation image sensor field,” Sashida said.
TSMC currently operates an advanced wafer fabrication plant in Kumamoto through another joint venture called Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Inc. (JASM), where Sony is also a shareholder.
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