Twelve leading Japanese car manufacturers and semiconductor companies, such as Panasonic and Denso, have formed the ASRA (Advanced SoC Research for Automotive) consortium to develop chipsets for use in vehicles. The organization plans to create system-on-a-chip (SoC) designs, also known as chiplets, that combine controllers of different types.
ASRA chiplets consist of a main processor, an artificial intelligence coprocessor, and optional graphics circuits and additional AI coprocessors. These flexible SoC designs are expected to cater perfectly to the needs of the automotive industry, with the first products ready for mass production by 2028. As a result, starting from 2030, new designs will be implemented in Japanese-made cars.
This consortium is a response to the advancements made by the United States and China, particularly in the context of SoC technology development. In the past, car manufacturers relied on external suppliers and their software, leading to a lengthy implementation process. Over time, Tesla, as a car manufacturer, introduced its own chipsets, giving it full control over the controllers. Now, Japanese companies want to achieve the same level of self-sufficiency by creating their own SoC designs for their vehicles.
Despite participating in the ASRA consortium, some experts believe that Japanese companies are about ten years behind their competitors. The ultimate success of this initiative will depend on the timely development and implementation of SoC designs in cars produced by Japanese manufacturers.
FAQ
1. What are SoC chipsets?
SoC chipsets (System-on-a-Chip) are comprehensive solutions that combine multiple electronic functions, such as processors, controllers, memory, and other components, in a single package.
2. What are the benefits of using chiplets in cars?
Chiplets in cars provide design flexibility and adaptability to the automotive industry’s needs. They allow manufacturers to have greater control over the integration of various electronic functions in their vehicles.
3. Why are Japanese companies forming the ASRA consortium?
Japanese companies are forming the ASRA consortium in order to develop their own SoC designs for use in cars. This way, they aim to achieve greater independence and control over the technology, similar to what Tesla has done.
Source: Article from [Elektrowoz.pl](http://www.elektrowoz.pl/), 2023.
The source of the article is from the blog lisboatv.pt