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Japan’s Sony Group, the world’s leading image sensor manufacturer, and Taiwan’s TSMC, the world’s leading contract chipmaker, are planning a major investment to develop next-generation image sensors.
According to a report by Japan’s business daily Nikkei, the two technology giants will jointly invest about 1 trillion yen, or $6.32 billion, to produce these processor chips.
According to the report, Sony Group will hold about 60 percent of the planned joint venture, while TSMC will own the remaining 40 percent.
The new factory will be built in Japan’s southern Kumamoto prefecture. If everything proceeds as planned, commercial production of sensor chips could begin at the facility by 2029.
The two companies had previously expressed interest in establishing a joint venture in Japan in May.
At the time, they discussed combining Sony’s expertise in advanced sensor design with TSMC’s powerful manufacturing technology.
Through the new agreement, the companies plan to create major opportunities not only in smartphone technology but also in automobiles powered by physical artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and robotics.
Sony has long dominated the global image sensor market for smartphones and automobiles.
Market analysts believe the deeper partnership with TSMC will play an important role in helping Sony face competition from rivals such as Samsung and OmniVision. However, Sony declined to comment on the Nikkei report, while TSMC also did not immediately provide any comment.
