Minebea ties with Analog Devices on control systems
(UPDATE: Updates with fresh details of tie-up)
TOKYO, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Japanese miniature-bearing maker Minebea Co Ltd said on Wednesday it had agreed to cooperate with U.S. computer chipmaker Analog Devices Inc (NYSE:ADI - news) to develop and sell new control systems for vehicles.
The alliance aims to meet growing demand for control systems used for in-car computers which process data such as speed, acceleration and steering angle.
The firms will offer new control products for the auto industry at low cost by combining technologies that had previously been used mainly in parts for airplanes and industrial applications, an Analog Devices spokeswoman said.
Under the contract, which was signed early last month, the two firms will jointly develop new resolver systems -- mechanical devices used in controlling electric power steering and other functions in regular cars and in hybrid electric vehicles
Analog Devices will produce the new control devices and Minebea will market and sell them globally to customers in the auto industry.
The two companies plan to start production of the new products this November for various tests and aim for mass production by the end of next year, the spokeswoman said.
The alliance, which does not involve any capital tie, also includes plans to jointly develop next generation analogue-to-digital converter systems, digital signal processing integrated circuits, and high-performance motors and sensor systems for vehicles, they said in a statement.
Minebea shares showed little reaction to the news, which was announced after the morning session ended.
By 0440 GMT on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Minebea's shares were down five yen or 0.41 percent at 1,224 yen. |
