BOSCH and Infineon are among a group of auto suppliers who will collaborate with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) to engage the industry and the local research and development community to drive innovation.
The objective of the A*Star Capabilities for Automotive Research (A*Car) consortium is to carry out pre-competitive research with strong industry participation.
It also hopes to form a value-chain among research organisations, auto manufacturers, suppliers and companies in auto-related industries, says Chong Tow Chong, executive director of A*Star's science and engineering research council.
"The consortium is a pro-active platform to engage the industry and R&D community to drive technology advancement and innovation," Prof Chong said at the launch of A*Car yesterday.
Two other companies - Think Global and Dou Yee - are also part of the consortium and five more are set to come on board soon, an A*Star spokeswoman said. One of the five is a multinational and another is a government-linked company, she said.
The consortium will focus on five areas - car communication and safety; connected car and infotainment; electronics; precision engineering and materials; and alternative energy.
Singapore's land transport sector has an output of $1.6 billion a year and employs 6,000 people. Among the local companies are auto component suppliers, Prof Chong said.
"The aim is to enhance the competitiveness and upgrade the capabilities of the local supplier base."
A*Car is open to all companies in the auto industry and will give members full access to research results it obtains. Member companies will also be able to send staff on attachment to work on joint projects with A*Star researchers.
Depending on the type of membership, fees range from $25,000 to $150,000 a year.
A*Star said membership is still open and it hopes to recruit companies with different types of expertise so A*Car will have the widest possible skillset. "This will fill the gaps and benefit all members," the spokeswoman said.
Cem Peksaglam, president and managing director of Robert Bosch SEA, said A*Car will work on shared basic technologies while also focusing on niches - "two or three stages before the product at the end of the value chain".
This article was first published in The Business Times on Oct 1, 2008.
