Japanese startup Rapidus plans to start pilot production of its most advanced chips in April 2024, marking a critical step in its efforts to revitalize the semiconductor industry. The ambitious project stems from a phone call from IBM in 2020, when IBM sought partners to mass-produce its 2-nanometer chips.
Although Japan’s chip industry is backward, IBM chose Japan because of its high trust in Japan’s chip tools and materials supply chain, and Rapidus ‘partnerships with international research institutions such as Imec.
Japan has committed US$6 billion to Rapidus for research and development, and its first factory in Hokkaido is under construction, with the goal of achieving mass production by 2027.
While some experts remain skeptical, Rapidus is targeting chip startups seeking new artificial intelligence solutions that offer faster factory response times and smaller batch production.
The company aims to become a “one-stop shop” for manufacturing, packaging and design, with the goal of cutting production times in half to stay ahead of competitors.
Rapidus also leverages the need for dedicated artificial intelligence chips to maximize efficiency compared to multipurpose chips.
The company has raised its 2030 sales target to more than $8 billion, which could lead to its initial public offering.
IBM is supporting Rapidus by inviting 200 engineers to its research center in Albany, New York, to learn technology for mass production of 2-nanometer chips.
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Original text:https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-Spotlight/Rapidus-How-a-phone-call-from-IBM-reignited-Japan-s-chip-ambitions
Company official website:https://www.rapidus.inc/en/
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