Canon and Rapidus Develop First 2nm Image Chip

According to reports, Japanese wafer foundry Rapidus is partnering with camera giant Canon to develop image processing chips for cameras and related devices. Canon will also be the first major Japanese company included as a potential client for Rapidus.

The collaboration aims to create image processing chips using Rapidus' cutting-edge 2nm process technology. Trial production will take place at Rapidus' 2nm wafer fab in Chitose, Hokkaido. U.S.-based EDA leader Synopsys is also involved in the development, with total R&D costs estimated at 40 billion yen (around $250 million). The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), under Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, will provide roughly two-thirds of the funding to encourage cooperation with Japanese companies.

Canon, a global leader in digital cameras and imaging devices, uses advanced image chips to process visuals in its products. Chips produced with the 2nm process are expected to significantly reduce power consumption while boosting image processing performance. Canon plans to test the Rapidus 2nm chips in its end products, and if the performance and quality meet its standards, mass production by Rapidus could follow.

Notably, Rapidus announced on February 27 that it has raised approximately 267.6 billion yen from the Japanese government and private investors, with the government contributing 100 billion yen, becoming Rapidus' largest shareholder.

According to the business plan submitted by Rapidus to Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, the company intends to start mass production of 2nm chips in the second half of fiscal 2027 and eventually scale to 1.4nm production. Total investment is expected to exceed 7 trillion yen, with the goal of achieving profitability around 2030 and pursuing an IPO by 2031.