Intel India sets up New Design Facility in Bengaluru
Article By : Sufia Tippu
Substantial investment in skilled local talent pool
BENGALURU — Global chip maker Intel Corp has opened its new design centre in the city for innovations in disruptive technologies.
The $170 million centre will work on new technologies such as cloud, client, graphics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G.
The Santa-Clara-based global firm has chip design centres in countries worldwide, including China, India, Malaysia and the US but this design hub is the largest outside the US, she said.
Intel has invested about $5 billion in its India operations over the last 20 years since it entered the sub-continent to leverage its skilled talent pool.
Intel’s interim Chief Executive Bob Swan who had come here for this occasion said, “This year Intel celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking a half-century of innovation that has profoundly changed the world. This milestone is an opportunity to embrace a new Intel, a different, fast-paced, global company that’s adapting, growing and building the future.”
Intel India has grown tremendously over the past 20 years to become a strategic site and a key growth engine for Intel as it transforms to a data-centric company. “The inauguration of the new R&D facility reinforces our commitment to India. We have robust collaborations with the vibrant and mature technology ecosystem in India and look forward to the next 20 years of innovation.”
Over the last two decades Intel India has been focusing on advancing technology development and innovation in the country by working closely with the vibrant ecosystem in India.
“ We are excited about the tremendous opportunities to innovate, collaborate and contribute towards a better India and a better world, especially the work we are doing in the area of urban and rural connectivity, AI and enabling the manufacturing ecosystem in India,” Nivruti Rai, Country Head of Intel India and VP of Data Center Group, Intel Corporation added.
“Smart and green” building
Interestingly, this “smart and green” building is the second building in India to be constructed with the innovative ‘One Storey High Technol
ogy,’ with each floor being built on the ground, then lifted and attached to the top of the building. This technology had resulted in the reduction of scheduled construction time by up to 60 percent compared to traditional methods.
It is equipped with IoT-based smart features, including smart lights and real-time occupancy management, as well as innovative energy harvesting tiles installed at the entrance of the building that generate and store energy as people walk into the building. In addition, it uses renewable energy sources like solar and fuel cells for power generation, which is expected to meet 40 percent of the building’s power demand and reduce CO2 emissions by 37 percent.
Intel Technology Awards in honor of the Missile Man of India
Intel India in collaboration with the Government of India is instituting national-level awards named in honor of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He was an eminent scientist known as the Missile Man of India for his work on the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology.
These annual awards have been introduced with the intent to recognize and celebrate the pioneering work and contributions made by distinguished scientists and innovators across three categories – product innovation, technology advancement and research.
The first recipients of these awards will be honored for work that has created significant impact to society, businesses, environment and livelihood over the last 20 years.
The awards are part of Intel India’s ongoing efforts to inspire Indians to actively pursue technology and research, making India a hub for technology advancement, research and innovation.
— Sufia Tippu is a freelance tech journalist based in India contributing to EE Times India