Tour de Chips (TdC) is a four-day cycling event that celebrates Finland's unique semiconductor technology and chip industry. The route from Oulu to Espoo via Tampere connects these three competence hubs that focus on the design and fabrication of semiconductor chips. The cycling event is organized 9–12 August 2024.
The idea to Tour de Chips came from VTT and the event relies on voluntary work. It gathers cyclists and sponsors especially from companies and other organizations in the field of semiconductor technology development. The goal is to increase general awareness about the field and to support networking among the different players in the semiconductor ecosystem, while also highlighting the benefits of fitness and the importance of sustainable development.
The growth potential of semiconductor technology is very good. Digitalization and the development of artificial intelligence are feeding the global growth of semiconductor technology, and the revenues are expected to double to approximately one trillion euros within a decade. Finnish semiconductor industry is aiming for an even faster growth: The goal is to triple the revenue by year 2035.
As the recently published Semiconductor Strategy for Finland emphasizes, such significant growth requires investments into education, research and development, as well as actions to attract new talent and to improve the awareness of the field.
”Semiconductor companies in Finland have significant opportunities to increase export and high-productivity jobs, while strengthening technological competitiveness and supply chain reliability in the entire Europe in this unstable global situation”, says Tomy Runne, the chairman of the Technology Industries of Finland’s semiconductor industry group. ”Achieving growth requires that Finland invests to the strengthening of the research and development, to increasing the amount of skilled persons and the quality of knowhow, and to attracting research and development centers and chip manufacturing investments to Finland.”
VTT will open completely new development directions for the semiconductor industry by expanding semiconductor pilot line operations in the near future. A new shared pilot line will be built alongside the Micronova pilot environment located in Otaniemi. Its equipment will support chip development and small-scale production for both 300-millimeter and 200-millimeter silicon wafers.
Cycling through semiconductor cities
Tour de Chips starts from Oulu on 9th August at 11 am. Supporters are welcomed to encourage the participants at VTT's Oulu office at Kaitoväylä 1. The goal is to reach Espoo (Tietotie 3) on Monday 12th August between 18-19 pm. Daily cycling distances are 140–190 km long and average cycling speed is approximately 25 km/h.
In addition to Tampere, the tour stops in Ylivieska and Kuortane. Oulu is a competence hub in the field of wireless and sensing technology, while the strengths of Tampere include chip design and optoelectronics. The Capital City region has extensive know-how in many fields, including semiconductor wafer and chip manufacturing.
The event is sponsored by VTT, Murata Electronics Oy, High Metal Oy, TNK Electric Oy, UKKO.fi, Business Tampere and the Tampere University.
Photos from the event
1, 2, 3 and 4 - The cyclists started the tour in Oulu.
5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 - Impressions from the journey
10 - Arrival at the finish line in Esbo
