Japan's Rapidus, Denso share methods for designing advanced chips: Nikkei

TOKYO, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Japanese chipmaker Rapidus and auto supplier Denso are partnering to share design methods for advanced chips used in artificial intelligence and self-driving vehicles as part of efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Japan's semiconductor industry, local media reported.

The two companies are part of an eight-member group established by SEMI, an international organization that promotes the global semiconductor supply chain, according to Nikkei Asia.

This is believed to be the first time Japanese companies have taken the lead in standardizing design methods for advanced chips, the report noted, adding the initiative is expected to encourage other companies to join in adopting the shared practices.

Chip designs differ by company and product, even if the performance is the same. By sharing a basic approach to design, the partners hope to use common design software and employ the same arrangement of circuits, according to the report.

The hope is that, as more companies participate, these shared design methods will become industry standards. The collaboration also seeks to involve domestic materials and equipment manufacturers to make work on cutting-edge products possible.