Global Autonomous Driving SoC Market Leader Black Sesame Technologies and Energetic Japanese Startup FUTU-RE Reach a Basic Agreement for Collaboration in the Japanese Market
Starting with implementation support and test marketing of next-generation SoCs for “vehicles destined for the Chinese market” developed by Japanese companies
FUTU-RE Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture; CEO: Takashi Hayakawa; hereinafter “FUTU-RE”), which develops and supports next-generation mobility and autonomous driving systems, and Black Sesame Technologies (Headquarters: Wuhan, China; Hong Kong Stock Exchange: 2533.HK), which specializes in AI computing platforms, have signed a basic agreement toward collaboration in the Japanese market. Based on this agreement, the two companies will initially begin by providing implementation support for Black Sesame Technologies’ cutting-edge SoCs, which have an extensive mass-production track record in the Chinese market, into “vehicles destined for the Chinese market” developed by Japanese automakers and Tier 1 suppliers. In the future, they will explore collaborative possibilities across a broad range of areas requiring SoCs, including automation, unmanned operations, and robotics.
Black Sesame Technologies: Leading the Global Autonomous Driving SoC Market
In the global development of autonomous driving and robotics, the performance of SoCs for AI processing is the key to competitiveness. Black Sesame Technologies has developed proprietary SoCs that achieve advanced image processing and AI computation with low power consumption, boasting a top-class track record of adoption in the world’s largest EV market, China. The company has demonstrated a strong presence in the global market, achieving a listing on the Hong Kong market in August 2024. Black Sesame Technologies is expanding the application of its high-performance SoCs beyond autonomous driving to include Level 2+ and higher Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), where demand is rapidly increasing, the robotics sector, where China currently leads the world, and even general industries requiring high levels of automation. In the Japanese market, nurturing next-generation industries and supporting startups challenging the global market are also positioned as key strategic pillars.
Specific Initiatives in the Japanese Market
Currently, amid soaring global semiconductor prices, the stable and rapid procurement of cost-effective, high-performance SoCs is an urgent issue that determines the competitiveness of Japanese companies. The two companies will first conduct interviews and research with potential customers and collaborative partners, advancing discussions centered on the possibility of Chinese-made semiconductors entering the Japanese business landscape. In the initial phase, they will begin with implementation verification and test marketing of SoCs for “vehicles destined for the Chinese market” developed by Japanese automotive-related companies. By combining the technology of Black Sesame Technologies, which has expertise in the Chinese EV market, with the engineering of FUTU-RE, which has global development knowledge, they will support the expansion of Japanese companies into China. The target areas extend beyond automobiles, broadening their scope to a wide range of industries requiring SoCs, such as unmanned supermarkets, unmanned sales vehicles, and robots.
Dispelling BCP Concerns by Obtaining U.S. Government Approval
As a strong stepping stone for future global expansion and Japanese industry, the next-generation high-performance SoC “Huashan A2000,” developed by Black Sesame Technologies, has passed strict screening by the U.S. Department of Commerce and obtained official approval for global sales and application. Currently, there are concerns about the fragmentation of semiconductor supply chains due to geopolitical risks in global industries, but the fact that the A2000 has officially received clearance for U.S. national security and export control dispels the BCP (Business Continuity Planning) risks and geopolitical issues that Japanese companies value most. This serves as a crucial element to satisfy the high level of reassurance and strict production and quality standards demanded by Japanese customers. In addition, it complies with “ISO 26262 ASIL-D,” the highest level functional safety standard for automobiles, perfectly meeting global standards in both compliance and safety.
Establishment of a Dedicated Division at FUTU-RE
To strongly and swiftly propel this agreement, FUTU-RE will establish a new “independent dedicated division” specializing in the deployment and technical support of Black Sesame Technologies’ products, separate from its existing businesses.
Company Overview
[About Black Sesame Technologies]
Established in 2016. It is a leading company specializing in AI computing platforms. In the field of computing chips for smart cars, it develops the “Huashan” series (for autonomous driving systems) and the “Wudang” series (for cross-domain computing). Based on proprietary developed IP cores, algorithms, and support software, it provides full-stack autonomous driving solutions through SoCs and SoC-based solutions. It has an extensive mass-production track record in the Chinese EV market and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Main Board in August 2024 (Stock Code: 2533.HK). In 2025, it expanded its business domain to embodied AI and announced “SesameX,” a computing platform for the commercialization of robots.
- Headquarters Location: Wuhan, China (with global bases in Shanghai, Silicon Valley, etc.)
- Representative: Founder and CEO Johnson Shan
- URL: https://www.blacksesame.com/
[About FUTU-RE Co., Ltd.]
.Established in 2014. It is a technology company with a high degree of expertise in software development, control engineering, and system integration related to autonomous driving. It handles a wide range of activities, from supporting autonomous driving projects for major automakers and research institutes to the in-house development of next-generation mobility. With related bases in Europe and China, its highly international engineering team aims to realize a cutting-edge mobility society.
- Headquarters Location: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
(with global bases in the Netherlands, China, etc.) - Representative Director: Takashi Hayakawa
- URL: https://futu-re.co.jp/
[Contact Information Regarding This Matter]
FUTU-RE Co., Ltd. Public Relations Department
Email: info.future.yhmbh@futu-re.co.jp
TEL: +81(0)52-734-8005
[Reference Information for Media: Regarding U.S. Approval of Huashan A2000]
As evidence of Black Sesame Technologies’ next-generation SoC “Huashan A2000” passing the screening by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Department of Defense (reported in January 2026), you can refer to the following reports from global media:
- TrendForce: “US Reportedly Clears China’s Black Sesame Huashan A2000 Auto Chip for Global Launch” (https://www.trendforce.com/news/2026/01/06/news-us-reportedly-clears-chinas-black-sesame-huashan-a2000-auto-chip-for-global-launch/)
- CarNewsChina: “BYD ADAS chip supplier, Black Sesame Technologies’ Huashan A2000 passed US government reviews, ready for global sales” (https://carnewschina.com/2026/01/04/byd-adas-chip-supplier-black-sesame-technologies-huashan-a2000-passed-us-government-reviews-ready-for-global-sales/)
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