Pioneer's history goes back to 1937, when its founder, Nozomu Matsumoto, developed Japan's first dynamic speaker after years of trials and setbacks.It was the culmination of his passion and dedication to emulate great-sounding speakers imported from abroad.
Since then, Pioneer, true to its name, has been at the forefront of driving innovation to bring the world's first products and services to people around the world. Explore Pioneer's history.
| 1937 | Pioneer's founder, Nozomu Matsumoto, develops the A-8 dynamic speaker. | |
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| 1938 | Jan. | Fukuin Shokai Denki Seisakusho (precursor of Pioneer) is founded. |
| 1947 | May | Fukuin Denki Kabushiki Kaisha is incorporated. |
| 1953 | Dec. | Introduced Hi-Fi Speaker PE-8. |
| 1961 | Jun. | Company name changed to Pioneer Electronic Corporation (now Pioneer Corporation). |
| 1962 | Jun. | Introduce the world's first separate stereo system. |
| 1966 | Mar. | Establish sales subsidiaries in Europe and the U.S. |
| 1975 | Nov. | Introduce the world's first component car stereo. |
| 1977 | Dec. | Introduce the world's first two-way addressable CATV system in the U.S. (with Warner Cable). |
| 1979 | Feb. | Introduce Industrial-use laser optical video disc player. |
| 1980 | Jun. | Introduce VP-1000 LD player for home use in the U.S. |
| 1984 | Oct. | Introduce the world's first car CD player. |
| 1990 | Jun. | Introduce the world's first GPS car navigation system for consumer market. |
| 1992 | Oct. | Introduce the world's first 4x speed CD-ROM changer. |
| 1996 | Dec. | Introduce DVD player and the world's first DVD/LD/CD compatible player for home use. |
| 1997 | Jun. | Introduce the world's first DVD-based car navigation system. |
| Oct. | Introduce the world's first DVD-R drive. | |
| Nov. | Introduce the world's first OLED-equipped car audio product. | |
| Dec. | Introduce the world's first 50-inch high-definition XGA plasma display for consumer use. | |
| 1998 | Jun. | Introduce the world's first DVD-based GPS car navigation system featuring 8.5GB dual-layered DVD disc. |
| Oct. | Introduce new corporate logo. | |
| 1999 | Dec. | Introduce the world's first DVD recorder. |
| 2001 | Jun. | Introduce HDD-based GPS car navigation system. |
| 2002 | Nov. | Introduce a car navigation system with built-in wireless communication module. |
| 2004 | Jul. | Introduce the world's first DVD player for professional DJs and VJs. |
| 2006 | Jun. | Introduce the world's first 50-inch 1080p plasma display. |
| 2008 | Jul. | Succeed in developing the world's first 16-layer BD-compatible optical disc with 400GB. |
| 2009 | Sep. | All of Pioneer's main production sites in Japan obtain the certification of ISO14001. |
| 2010 | Feb. | Introduce the world's first speaker with HVT (Horizontal-Vertical Transforming) technology. |
| 2011 | May | Introduce car navigation system with augmented reality(AR) scouter mode. |
| 2012 | Jul. | Introduce the world's first car navigation system with the Head-Up Display to project augmented reality information. |
| 2013 | Mar. | ROHM Co., Ltd. and Pioneer suceeed in terahertz imaging using small semiconductor element "resonant tunneling diode." |
| Sep. | Introduce the world first wireless portable BD/DVD/CD writer drive. Introduce the world first pedaling monitor system which visualizes cyclists' pedaling. |
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| 2014 | Dec. | Start shipping of medical laser blood flow meters to JMS Co., Ltd. |
| 2015 | Jan. | Launch Vehicle Assist, car solution system for fleet vehicles. |
| Jun. | Pioneer formed a business alliance with Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. in Telematics Service Business. | |
| 2016 | Nov. | Develop advanced driving assist system Intelligent Pilot for on-the-road vehicles. |
| Dec. | Develop a Driver Monitoring System that detects and awakens driver's drowsiness at an early stage. Start shipping medical electronic stethoscope. |
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| 2017 | Feb. | Introduce the world's first BD writer compatible with Ultra HD Blu-ray. |
| 2018 | Jan. | Pioneer commemorates the 80th anniversary of its foundation on January 1. |
| Jun. | Releases the CyberNavi X Series boasting overwhelming audio performance. | |
| Sep. | Starts shipment of the MEMS mirror-type 3D-LiDAR sensor of differing measurement distance. Pioneer and Tokyo Medical and Dental University jointly develop a high-sensitive optical bio-sniffer module for exhaled breath acetone concentration measurement. |
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| 2019 | Apr. | Pioneer and Canon agree to co-develop 3D-LiDAR sensor. |
