Sony Group Corporation and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) have announced their intention to form a joint venture in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, with the aim of initiating mass production of next-generation image sensors as early as 2029. In this venture, Sony is poised to secure a majority stake of approximately 60%, while TSMC will hold a 40% share. The projected investment for this ambitious project stands at a staggering 1 trillion yen (roughly equivalent to US$6.4 billion). The primary target markets for these advanced image sensors encompass smartphone cameras, exemplified by the Apple iPhone, as well as applications in sophisticated physical AI technologies.