TOKYO: Intel Corp., Japanese electrical equipment maker Omron Corp. and 13 other companies said Tuesday that they have formed a new organization for research and development on the latter-half process of semiconductor manufacturing.

The Semiconductor Assembly Test Automation and Standardization Research Association, or SATAS, will develop and test equipment needed to automate the latter-half process and save power, with the goal of putting it into practical use in 2028.

The new group is expected to receive subsidies from Japan’s industry ministry.

SATAS, which was established on April 16, is headed by Kunimasa Suzuki, president of Intel K.K., the Japanese unit of the U.S. technology giant. The 15 companies also include Sharp Corp., Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Yamaha Motor Co. and Resonac Holdings Corp.

The move comes as higher levels of semiconductor performance are needed, including amid the spread of artificial intelligence.

Although semiconductor manufacturers have been working to further shrink semiconductor circuits, many have pointed out that there is a physical limit to such an endeavor. Against this backdrop, the significance of technologies related to the latter-half process is increasing.

Last month, the Japanese ministry decided to provide up to 590 billion yen in additional aid to Japanese chipmaker Rapidus Corp., which aims to produce cutting-edge semiconductors domestically. Of the funds, 53.5 billion yen will be used to develop technologies for the latter-half process.

JIJI Press