On August 10, Reuters reported that Sony Group (NYSE:SONY) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM) plan to spend around $6.3 billion on a joint venture to build next-generation microchips for image sensors. Sony (SONY), TSMC (TSM) Bet $6.3B On Next-Gen SensorsThe venture will be owned about 60% by Sony and 40% by TSMC, with commercial production targeted to start as early as 2029 at a site in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture. Sony is already the world's largest maker of image sensors, and TSMC is the world's largest contract chipmaker. Bull Case: Sony-TSMC Venture Fuels Physical AI GrowthTSMC's own numbers explain why Sony wanted it as a partner. First-quarter operating profit rose 40% from a year earlier, prompting the company on July 31 to raise its full-year group operating profit forecast 8% to 1.72 trillion yen, citing tariff refunds, currency effects, and cost control.