STMicroelectronics (STM), a leading global semiconductor player and YTO Group Corp, a leading Chinese provider of agricultural and construction machinery have announced plans to establish a joint laboratory in YTO’s Research Institute of Intelligence and Information in Luoyang, Henan province in China. The lab will focus on the research and development of electronic solutions for engine, vehicle, and agricultural controls in tractors. Founded in 1995, YTO is the largest agricultural machinery enterprise in China.

The partners say this will enable rapid development of automated control technologies, together with local and global emission regulations for off-road diesel engines, are driving the penetration of electronic control systems in tractors. The partners are bringing their complementary know-how together to address the government requirements and industry needs.

YTO’s Research Institute of Intelligence and Information specialises in electronic control systems for three main agricultural-machinery applications: tractors, harvesters, and agricultural equipment. For its part, STM brings its expertise of semiconductors that make driving safer, greener, and more connected and offers one of the industry’s broadest portfolios of automotive ICs. Moreover, STM says it brings a wealth of experience collaborating with numerous suppliers to meet the demanding requirements of the automotive industry.

Lei Jun, assistant director of YTO’s Research Institute of Intelligence and Information said: “As the first producer of tractors, road rollers, and cross-country trucks in China, YTO has a long history of success as a leading provider of agricultural equipment. This cooperation combines ST’s cutting-edge technologies and application-specific ICs with our solutions, to continue to innovate and to ensure outstanding quality and performance.”

STM will provide the joint lab with its latest automotive-semiconductor technology and solutions, including SPC5x 32-bit microcontrollers and Smart Power ICs such as motor-control, power-supply, and general-purpose high- and low-side actuation drivers, along with the appropriate application notes, reference designs, development tools, technical support, and training.

Mh Tey, Greater China, South Asia and Korea Head of Automotive Marketing and Application, STMicroelectronics said: “With the increasing penetration of electronic control systems in agricultural applications and the development of China’s emission standards for off-road diesel engines, cooperation across the supply chain is a necessity. ST is engaging with its partners to build strong ecosystems and we believe the ST - YTO joint lab will bring even greater momentum to ST’s growth in China’s tractor and agricultural market while advancing the development of YTO’s next-gen electronic control systems for agricultural machinery.”