Imec establishes €40M chiplet research hub in Heilbronn

Imec is launching the Advanced Chip Design Accelerator (ACDA) in Heilbronn, Germany, with a funding commitment of 40 million euros over five years from the Baden-Württemberg government. This new competence center will focus on developing chiplet, packaging, system integration, sensing, and edge AI technologies to better support the automotive industry in introducing chiplets into manufacturing. The initiative aligns with both Baden-Württemberg's chip design strategy and the European Commission's goal of enhancing digital sovereignty. The center aims to facilitate the transition to chiplet-based architectures, which are essential for advancements like autonomous driving and smart vehicle functionalities. Imec's collaboration with local institutions, including the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, highlights the importance of this project in strengthening Europe’s semiconductor capabilities. Recruitment for the center is expected to begin soon, with plans to hire up to 100 employees in the near future.