Intel has been at the heart of a number of PC-makers but little do people know about the innovation that the company brings in other areas. At the ongoing CES in Las Vegas, the company is showcasing its tech in the Cloud, Edge computing and networking space. It is highlighting how its AI-powered intelligence infused in these areas are driving positive impact for people, business and society like autonomous driving, and immersive sports and entertainment.
Intel CEO Bob Swan demonstrated how its self-driving robocar can navigate traffic in a natural manner. Swan also highlighted how the company is using integrated AI acceleration on 2nd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors to help the American Red Cross and its Missing Maps project to build highly accurate maps with bridges and roads for remote regions. ‘At Intel, our ambition is to help customers make the most of technology inflections like AI, 5G and the intelligent edge so that together we can enrich lives and shape the world for decades to come,’ Swan said.
The company showcased Intel Core mobile processors, code-named ‘Tiger Lake’. The company says that the optimisations spanning the CPU, AI accelerators and discrete-level integrated graphics based on the new Intel Xe graphics architecture, lets ‘Tiger Lake’ deliver double-digit performance gains, improvements in AI and graphics performance. Built on Intel’s 10nm+ process, the first Tiger Lake systems are expected to ship this year.
The company provided insight into the progress on the new Intel Xe graphics architecture, which are poised to provide ‘huge performance gains’ in Tiger Lake, and previewed Intel’s first Xe-based discrete GPU, code-named ‘DG1.’ The company also talked about Intel Core processors that are used in dual-screen and foldable devices, like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold, which leverages the Intel Core processor with Intel Hybrid Technology (code-named ‘Lakefield’) and the Dell Concept Duet.
Intel Executive Vice President Navin Shenoy announced that the 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors are coming in the first half of 2020. They will include new Intel DL Boost extensions for built-in AI training acceleration and provide up to a 60 per cent increase in training performance over the previous family. Intel has been at the core of several platforms, including video streaming, and sports industry.
Netflix utilises AV1 video compression technology to enhance Netflix’s media streaming services. Reportedly, this technology delivers up to 60 per cent compression efficiency over the previous compression technology (AVC). Intel and Netflix have been working in the development of an open-source high-performance encoder (SVT-AV1), which is optimised on 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors.
Intel is working on 3D Athlete Tracking (3DAT) computer vision solution that uses AI to enhance the viewing experience with near real-time insights and visualisations. 3DAT uses cameras to capture the form and motion of athletes, and then applies algorithms optimised with Intel DL Boost and powered by Intel Xeon Scalable processors to analyse the biomechanics of athletes’ movements. Shenoy announced that this technology will enhance replays of the 100-metre and other sprinting events at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
Intel is already using Intel True View technology that provides endless angles that allow fans to choose any vantage point and player perspective and stream from their devices. Dozens of high-definition 5K cameras are mounted all around stadiums and arenas to capture massive amounts of volumetric video.
As per the company, the data produced from the first quarter of an NFL game alone reaches beyond 3TB per minute. To process such high amount of volumetric data, Intel uses Intel Xeon processor-based servers and Intel Core processor-powered PCs. It renders 360-degree replays, freeze frames, and looks at controversial plays.
