Denso, one of the world’s largest suppliers of robotics and automation technologies, is partnering with software company Symbio to establish a technology innovation centre in Finland.
Denso, the main supplier to Toyota and one of the leading automotive component manufacturers in general, says the innovation center in Finland is a joint enterprise based at Symbio’s premises in Espoo, Finland.
Symbio is a technology research and development company with expertise in robotics, automation and internet of things systems.
It’s likely that the first products to emerge from the collaboration will relate to connected, autonomous and electric cars and other vehicles.
Arto Kuusinen, chief executive, Europe, Symbio, says: “The automotive industry is facing major disruption.
“Electric cars, self-driving vehicles and new digital services for driving and maintenance are changing both the intelligence in the car and its components.
“We announced some time ago that Symbio will open a new subsidiary in Germany especially for our automotive clients’ needs.
“Besides Espoo, this provides additional opportunity for developing our new partnership with Denso with our German subsidiary.”
The letter of intent for establishing the joint innovation center with Denso was signed about a month ago, and activities will start already this year.
Europe is a clear growth area for Symbio. The aim of the joint innovation center is to combine Denso’s automotive technology know-how with Symbio’s knowledge about consumer products under one roof.
Kazuoki Matsugatani, executive director Denso Corporation, says: “We are now exploring beyond the vehicle ‘shell’ to create new value for the future new mobility society and users, and we are very excited about the potential opportunities provided by our joint innovation center with Symbio.
“Our goal is to develop solutions that strive to enrich the user experience for connected mobility that is sustainable, comfortable and convenient for everyone.”
Symbio and Denso say they will utilize design thinking methodology to build new concepts and solutions for Denso’s clients.
Symbio and Denso employees will work side-by-side in the innovation center, say the companies.
Symbio will especially hire concept designers and software architects for the new innovation center.
Through rapid prototyping, Symbio and Denso aim to build “profitable solutions quickly” for the new automotive mobility industry.
Kuusinen says: “It is great that Symbio reaches this strategic position with a major automotive component manufacturer and allows us to be a significant part of developing the automotive ecosystem.
“The joint innovation center is in the heart of developing new revenue streams.”
