Foxconn-Backed SiliconAuto Sets Up R&D Centre In Bengaluru

SUMMARY

The R&D centre will focus on the development of semiconductor solutions for EVs, autonomous driving and connected car technologies

Foxconn's India representative V Lee said that the centre will serve as a key hub for advanced R&D, semiconductor product design, and SoC development

A joint venture between electronics manufacturing major Foxconn and auto giant Stellantis, SiliconAuto was set up in 2023 to cater to the semiconductor needs of the two companies

Amid the ongoing semiconductor buzz in India, SiliconAuto, a joint venture between electronics manufacturing major Foxconn and auto giant Stellantis, has set up a semiconductor research and development (R&D) centre in Bengaluru.

As per news agency PTI, the centre will focus on the development of semiconductor solutions for electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and connected car technologies.

In a post on LinkedIn, Foxconn’s India representative V Lee announced the launch of the India design centre. Lee said that the facility will serve as a key hub for advanced R&D, semiconductor product design, and system-on-a-chip (SoC) development.

“Our India team is set to drive forward our vision of a smarter and safer future for transportation. Bangalore, with its rich talent pool and thriving tech ecosystem, is the perfect location for our new design centre,” SiliconAuto’s CEO Gene Liu told PTI.

SiliconAuto was set up in 2023 to cater to the future semiconductor needs of Stellantis, Foxconn and other companies. The company offers semiconductors solutions such as edge computing unit (ECU), advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) applications, among others.

This will be the Netherlands headquartered company’s second R&D centre globally, besides its existing one in Taiwanese.

This comes as the Centre has pulled all stops to develop an overarching semiconductor ecosystem in the country. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India is taking all necessary measures to become a semiconductor powerhouse.

Earlier this year, the Centre said that it has set up a special reserve fund with an outlay of INR 1 Lakh Cr to drive innovation in the semiconductor as well as science and technology sectors.

Meanwhile, during PM Modi’s visit to the US, it was announced that the countries will together set up a semiconductor fabrication plant in Kolkata, with focus on advanced sensing, communication and power electronics.

Besides, the Centre also aims to launch three to four major products in the semiconductor space in the coming years, union railways and electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw previously said.

Owing to the positive regulatory stance and sops offered by the Centre, a host of global giants are making a beeline to India to set up a unit in the country. Earlier this month, Dutch semiconductor design company NXP said that it will invest more than $1 Bn in India over the next few years. Besides, Micron is also setting up a semiconductor facility in Gujarat.