Kanematsu Co-develops In-Vehicle TCU/OTA with Taiwanese Startup KopherBit and FCC
On April 14, 2026, Kanematsu Corporation signed an MOU with auto parts maker FCC and Taiwanese ITRI spin-out KopherBit to jointly develop in-vehicle TCU/OTA systems. The partnership aims to provide global OEMs with a secure, highly integrated total system for next-generation connected and electric vehicles.
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- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 20:10
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Kanematsu Corporation (hereinafter 'Kanematsu') signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on April 14, 2026, with F.C.C. Co., Ltd. (hereinafter 'FCC') and Taiwanese startup KopherBit Co., Ltd. (hereinafter 'KopherBit') regarding the joint development of TCU*1 / OTA*2 systems for FCC's in-vehicle products. Based on this MOU, the three companies will advance the development of mutually interconnectable in-vehicle TCU/OTA systems and vehicle control VCU*3/MCU*4 to realize next-generation vehicle connectivity. Furthermore, in the future, they aim to deploy the developed products not only in the Japanese market but also globally, focusing on India and ASEAN.
Signing ceremony held in Taiwan on April 14.
From left: Koichiro Okamoto (General Manager, Vehicle & Automotive Parts Dept. 1, Kanematsu), Wang Yung-Chen (CEO, KopherBit), Toshinari Mobara (Managing Executive Officer, FCC).
■ Background
In the mobility sector, as vehicles become increasingly electrified and software-driven, the importance of 'connectivity'—linking vehicles to networks—is growing. Particularly, TCU/OTA, which continuously performs feature additions and bug fixes, is a critical technology in connectivity. However, developing systems tailored to regional market needs and achieving advanced integration with VCU/MCU requires collaboration among companies with expertise in hardware, software, and market expansion. Through this joint development, the three companies aim to create new value in the increasingly electrified and software-centric mobility sector by combining their respective technological strengths and market insights.
■ About KopherBit
KopherBit is a startup company spun out from Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). They develop vehicle software platforms centered on TCU/OTA and work on providing software solutions in the next-generation mobility field, including electric vehicles.
■ About FCC
FCC is an auto parts manufacturer headquartered in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Their main products are clutch systems for motorcycles and automobiles, and they globally supply products through production and development bases in 10 countries worldwide. Driven by the recent trend of electrification, they are also advancing the development of vehicle control systems and electric powertrain-related technologies. Kanematsu and FCC have collaborated as partners for many years.
■ Roles of Each Company
- KopherBit: Responsible for developing in-vehicle TCU/OTA systems and services capable of integrating with the VCU/MCU for main motors developed by FCC, as well as advancing the vehicle's communication functions and software update capabilities. Leveraging deep insights into development processes based on ISO 26262 (Functional Safety), ISO 21434 (Automotive Cybersecurity), and Automotive SPICE (ASPICE), they will contribute to realizing high-quality in-vehicle software that achieves both safety and security.
- FCC: In addition to developing VCU/MCU for main motors capable of integrating with the TCU/OTA developed by KopherBit, they will drive the business expansion of the developed products in the Indian and ASEAN markets.
- Kanematsu: Tasked with gathering needs and developing markets in Japan and globally, they will provide the jointly developed products to domestic and international OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. They will also support the collaboration of the three companies in both development and commercialization, backing business promotion.
The ultimate vision of this MOU is to build a structure capable of providing a one-stop total system for electric power units by organically combining FCC's hardware assets, such as main motors and MCU/VCU, with the TCU/OTA platform developed by KopherBit. By providing this as a total system, they aim to offer high-value-added solutions to domestic and international automobile manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers that simultaneously achieve a reduction in development man-hours and assurance of quality. Furthermore, through this collaboration, Kanematsu will promote the creation of new business opportunities in the mobility sector, where the progress of electrification and connectivity is accelerating.
*1: Telematics Control Unit. A control device responsible for in-vehicle communication. It communicates vehicle location information and driving data, serving as a gateway for remote services and data utilization.
*2: Over-the-Air. A mechanism to update vehicle software remotely via communication networks.
*3: Vehicle Control Unit.
Signing ceremony held in Taiwan on April 14.
From left: Koichiro Okamoto (General Manager, Vehicle & Automotive Parts Dept. 1, Kanematsu), Wang Yung-Chen (CEO, KopherBit), Toshinari Mobara (Managing Executive Officer, FCC).
■ Background
In the mobility sector, as vehicles become increasingly electrified and software-driven, the importance of 'connectivity'—linking vehicles to networks—is growing. Particularly, TCU/OTA, which continuously performs feature additions and bug fixes, is a critical technology in connectivity. However, developing systems tailored to regional market needs and achieving advanced integration with VCU/MCU requires collaboration among companies with expertise in hardware, software, and market expansion. Through this joint development, the three companies aim to create new value in the increasingly electrified and software-centric mobility sector by combining their respective technological strengths and market insights.
■ About KopherBit
KopherBit is a startup company spun out from Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). They develop vehicle software platforms centered on TCU/OTA and work on providing software solutions in the next-generation mobility field, including electric vehicles.
■ About FCC
FCC is an auto parts manufacturer headquartered in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Their main products are clutch systems for motorcycles and automobiles, and they globally supply products through production and development bases in 10 countries worldwide. Driven by the recent trend of electrification, they are also advancing the development of vehicle control systems and electric powertrain-related technologies. Kanematsu and FCC have collaborated as partners for many years.
■ Roles of Each Company
- KopherBit: Responsible for developing in-vehicle TCU/OTA systems and services capable of integrating with the VCU/MCU for main motors developed by FCC, as well as advancing the vehicle's communication functions and software update capabilities. Leveraging deep insights into development processes based on ISO 26262 (Functional Safety), ISO 21434 (Automotive Cybersecurity), and Automotive SPICE (ASPICE), they will contribute to realizing high-quality in-vehicle software that achieves both safety and security.
- FCC: In addition to developing VCU/MCU for main motors capable of integrating with the TCU/OTA developed by KopherBit, they will drive the business expansion of the developed products in the Indian and ASEAN markets.
- Kanematsu: Tasked with gathering needs and developing markets in Japan and globally, they will provide the jointly developed products to domestic and international OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. They will also support the collaboration of the three companies in both development and commercialization, backing business promotion.
The ultimate vision of this MOU is to build a structure capable of providing a one-stop total system for electric power units by organically combining FCC's hardware assets, such as main motors and MCU/VCU, with the TCU/OTA platform developed by KopherBit. By providing this as a total system, they aim to offer high-value-added solutions to domestic and international automobile manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers that simultaneously achieve a reduction in development man-hours and assurance of quality. Furthermore, through this collaboration, Kanematsu will promote the creation of new business opportunities in the mobility sector, where the progress of electrification and connectivity is accelerating.
*1: Telematics Control Unit. A control device responsible for in-vehicle communication. It communicates vehicle location information and driving data, serving as a gateway for remote services and data utilization.
*2: Over-the-Air. A mechanism to update vehicle software remotely via communication networks.
*3: Vehicle Control Unit.