Intel assembles Japan team for chipmaking automation

[hist78]

"TOKYO -- Intel will partner with 14 Japanese companies to develop technology to automate "back-end" chipmaking processes like packaging, Nikkei learned Monday, as the U.S. and Japan look to cut geopolitical risks to their semiconductor supply chains.

The tie-up, which includes electronics maker Omron, Yamaha Motor, and materials suppliers Resonac and Shin-Etsu Polymer, will be led by Kunimasa Suzuki, head of Intel's Japanese arm.

The group is expected to invest tens of billions of yen (10 billion yen equals $65 million) in the effort, aiming to achieve working technology by 2028."

Intel assembles Japan team for chipmaking automation

Tie-up aims to mitigate geopolitical risks in 'back-end' production

asia.nikkei.com

 

[hist78]

"TOKYO -- Intel will partner with 14 Japanese companies to develop technology to automate "back-end" chipmaking processes like packaging, Nikkei learned Monday, as the U.S. and Japan look to cut geopolitical risks to their semiconductor supply chains.

The tie-up, which includes electronics maker Omron, Yamaha Motor, and materials suppliers Resonac and Shin-Etsu Polymer, will be led by Kunimasa Suzuki, head of Intel's Japanese arm.

The group is expected to invest tens of billions of yen (10 billion yen equals $65 million) in the effort, aiming to achieve working technology by 2028."

Intel assembles Japan team for chipmaking automation

Tie-up aims to mitigate geopolitical risks in 'back-end' production

asia.nikkei.com

It's an important and interesting project. Except the $65 million investment seems very light.

 

[Markwrob]

It's an important and interesting project. Except the $65 million investment seems very light.

The article did say "10s of billions of yen". So multiples of $65M.

 

[hist78]

The article did say "10s of billions of yen". So multiples of $65M.

Yes, I saw that. Four times of that is $260 million. It's relatively a small number for a 14 companies joint project.

 

[Peter Lundquist]

If back end automation is such an opportunity, why is there no mention of a technical working group at semi.org to develop and distribute harmonized standards? And why is the Intel team located in Japan and not near the Intel New Mexico back end fab being built?

 

[hist78]

If back end automation is such an opportunity, why is there no mention of a technical working group at semi.org to develop and distribute harmonized standards? And why is the Intel team located in Japan and not near the Intel New Mexico back end fab being built?

I suspect that's something to do with the Japanese government's subsidy or matching investment. Intel urgently needs cash and capital infusion to realize its IDM 2.0 strategy.