HISTORY OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVELOPMENT

Combining technologies from both companies
to further accelerate development

By combining Toyota's years of mobility-focused expertise and DENSO's in-vehicle-focused expertise, we are working toward the early development of the next generation of in-vehicle semiconductors that will be key to technological innovation in electric vehicles and self-driving vehicles.

  • DENSO first opened an IC laboratory in 1968 in anticipation of future electronic control of automotive components. Since then, it has mass-produced a number of in-vehicle components, including semiconductor sensors, microcontrollers and power devices. In 1991, DENSO Research Laboratories (currently the Advanced Research and Innovation Center) was established, which is responsible for research and development of future innovative semiconductor technologies.

  • Toyota began to look into semiconductor operations in 1985, and started production of 2 μm CMOS at its Hirose plant in 1990. This was a groundbreaking initiative that had never been seen before from an automotive manufacturer, and contributed significantly to the development of in-vehicle semiconductors through developments such as mass production of HV-IGBT.

DENSO first opened an IC laboratory in 1968 in anticipation of future electronic control of automotive components. Since then, it has mass-produced a number of in-vehicle components, including semiconductor sensors, microcontrollers and power devices. In 1991, DENSO Research Laboratories (currently the Advanced Research and Innovation Center) was established, which is responsible for research and development of future innovative semiconductor technologies. Toyota began to look into semiconductor operations in 1985, and started production of 2 μm CMOS at its Hirose plant in 1990. This was a groundbreaking initiative that had never been seen before from an automotive manufacturer, and contributed significantly to the development of in-vehicle semiconductors through developments such as mass production of HV-IGBT.

  1. DENSO

    1968

    Established the IC Laboratory, the first initiative of its kind in the world by an in-vehicle components manufacturer

  2. DENSO

    1974

    Commenced mass production of bipolar ICs

  3. DENSO

    1981

    Developed the world's first semiconductor pressure sensor

  4. Toyota

    1988

    Completed its first semiconductor plant (Hirose)

  5. Toyota

    1990

    Commenced mass production of 2μm CMOS

  6. DENSO

    1991

    Established the DENSO Research Laboratories (currently the Advanced Research and Innovation Center)

  7. Toyota

    1997

    Developed the world's first HV-IGBT module (for the first-generation Prius)

  8. DENSO

    2000

    Commenced mass production of acceleration sensors

  9. Toyota

    2001

    Commenced mass production of the world's first in-vehicle trench IGBTs

  10. Toyota

    2003

    Commenced mass production of IGBTs for the second-generation Prius

  11. Toyota

    2009

    Commenced mass production of IGBTs for the third-generation Prius

  12. DENSO

    2014

    Commenced mass production of semiconductor air flow sensors

  13. DENSO　Toyota

    2018

    Commenced mass production of SORA FC buses with built-in SiC power semiconductors (jointly developed by DENSO, Toyota and Toyota Central R&D Labs)

2020

Established MIRISE Technologies

Combines the technologies held by both companies to promote innovative research into semiconductors as we head into the era of CASE.