Twelve companies in Japan from the automotive, electrical component and semiconductor sectors, have established the Advanced SoC Research for Automotive (ASRA) on to conduct research and develop high-performance digital semiconductors (System on Chip, SoC) for use in automobiles. ASRA will research and develop SoCs for automobiles using chiplet technology to install SoC in mass-production vehicles from 2030 onward.

Participating companies are Honda Motor, Mazda Motor, Nissan Motor, SUBARU, Toyota Motor, DENSO, Panasonic Automotive Systems, Cadence Design Systems, MIRISE Technologies, Renesas Electronics, Socionext and Synopsys.

Approximately 1,000 semiconductors are used in each automobile, and the types vary depending on the application. Among them, SoCs are essential semiconductors for autonomous driving technology and multimedia systems in automobiles, which require state- of-the-art semiconductor technology to achieve advanced computing power.

Examples of Semiconductors Used in Cars

ASRA will pursue the high level of safety and reliability required for automobiles by having automakers play a central role. Also, by bringing together the technological and experiential knowledge of electrical components and semiconductor companies, ASRA will aim to apply cutting-edge technologies practically. Specifically, ASRA plans to research and develop SoCs for automobiles using chiplet technology and combining different semiconductor types.

Chiplet technology reflects a design and manufacturing approach in which a semiconductor chip—traditionally a single monolithic piece of silicon—is broken down into smaller, individual components known as “chiplets”. These chiplets are then separately manufactured and assembled onto a substrate or package to form a complete system.

Image of chiplet technology

Chiplet technology can offer higher performance and multifunctionality, higher yield chips, and the timely commercialization of SoCs with functions and performance optimized for end-user—in this case automotive—requirements.

ASRA aims to establish in-vehicle chiplet technology by 2028 and to install SoCs in mass- produced vehicles from 2030 onward. By combining Japan’s technological capabilities and experience in automotive, electrical components, and semiconductors, ASRA will work with industry, government, and academia to promote domestic and international collaboration as a world-leading technology research group.