Sony, TSMC to invest $4.7 billion in image sensor joint venture

The new company, Advanced Vision Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp., is expected to start mass production of image sensors utilizing advanced manufacturing process technology in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, in 2029.

Sony Group will invest 465 billion yen ($2.9 billion) in the new company, while TSMC, the world's largest contract semiconductor maker, will invest 282 billion yen ($1.8 billion). They will discuss possible financial support from the government with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

In May this year, Sony Group and TSMC announced an agreement on a strategic partnership to develop and manufacture next-generation sensors, a type of semiconductor.

Under the plan announced Tuesday, new development and production capacities will be added to an image sensor plant built in Koshi, Kumamoto, by a Sony Group semiconductor unit.

Sony Group will play a central role in technology development and product design, while TSMC will provide manufacturing technology and expertise for mass production.

They hope to sell the next-generation sensors also for use in physical artificial intelligence systems, which allow robots and machines to operate autonomously.