TSMC, Sony Semiconductor Solutions plan image sensor JV in Kumamoto

Taipei, May 9 (CNA) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp. have announced plans to set up a joint venture in Kumamoto, Japan to develop image sensors.

台北，5月9日（中央社）台積電（Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., TSMC）和索尼半導體解決方案公司（Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp.）已宣布計畫在日本熊本設立一家合資企業，以開發影像感測器。

In a statement released on Friday, the world's largest contract chipmaker said it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Sony to establish a strategic partnership to develop and roll out next-generation image sensors.

這家全球最大的晶圓代工廠在週五發布的聲明中表示，它已與索尼簽署一份不具約束力的諒解備忘錄（MOU），以建立戰略合作夥伴關係，共同開發並推出下一代影像感測器。

TSMC said the planned joint venture in which Sony would hold a majority controlling stake is expected to build development and production lines in the Japanese partner's newly constructed fab in Koshi City, Kumamoto.

台積電表示，這項計畫中的合資企業（索尼將持有多數控股權）預計將在日本合作夥伴位於熊本縣合志市的新建晶圓廠中，建立開發和生產線。

The cooperation is expected to leverage Sony's expertise in sensor design and TSMC's strength in process technology and manufacturing capability to enhance sensor performance, the chipmaker said.

這家晶片製造商表示，此次合作預計將結合索尼在感測器設計方面的專業知識和台積電在製程技術及製造能力方面的優勢，以提升感測器性能。

TSMC said it was in discussions with Sony about potential investments by the joint venture, adding that the investments along with new capital spending by Sony in its existing plant in Nagasaki will be carried out in phases based on market demand and are expected to receive support from the Japanese government.

台積電表示，它正在與索尼討論合資企業的潛在投資，並補充說，這些投資以及索尼對其長崎現有工廠的新資本支出，將根據市場需求分階段進行，並預計將獲得日本政府的支持。

The cooperation with Sony is expected to explore business opportunities such as automotive and robotics applications, TSMC said.

台積電表示，與索尼的合作預計將探索汽車和機器人應用等商業機會。

It said the establishment of the joint venture is subject to the signing of a definitive binding agreement and the fulfillment of customary closing conditions.

它表示，合資企業的成立有待簽署一份具最終約束力的協議，並履行慣例的交割條件。

"Sony has been our long-time partner in the CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) image sensor business," TSMC Senior Vice President and Deputy Co-COO Kevin Zhang (張曉強) said in the statement.

台積電資深副總經理暨副營運長張曉強在聲明中表示：「索尼一直是我們在CMOS（互補式金屬氧化物半導體）影像感測器業務上的長期合作夥伴。」

"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," Zhang said.

張曉強表示：「我們很高興能將我們的合作提升到新的水平，這代表著在人工智慧時代推動未來感測技術發展的關鍵一步。」

For his part, Sony Semiconductor Solutions President and CEO Shinji Sashida said in the statement that he was delighted by the joint venture plan as the cooperation is the beginning of efforts to pair up the two companies' strengths.

索尼半導體解決方案公司總裁兼執行長槙田真治（Shinji Sashida）在聲明中表示，他對這項合資計畫感到非常高興，因為這次合作是兩家公司優勢結合的開始。

The joint venture "aims to drive further advancement in technology and business within the next-generation image sensor field," Sashida said.

槙田真治表示，這家合資企業「旨在推動下一代影像感測器領域的技術和業務進一步發展。」

Through another joint venture with Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Inc. (JASM), TSMC currently operates an advanced wafer fab in Kumamoto, with construction of the second fab underway.

透過與日本先進半導體製造公司（Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Inc., JASM）的另一家合資企業，台積電目前在熊本營運一座先進晶圓廠，第二座晶圓廠的建設正在進行中。

Sony Semiconductor Solutions is one of the Japanese shareholders of JASM with TSMC taking a majority stake.

索尼半導體解決方案公司是JASM的日本股東之一，而台積電則持有多數股權。