Justin Rattner opens IDF 2007
Intel kicked off another Spring IDF, this time in up-and-coming Beijing. The first day, Monday, centred around a research and development (R+D) press day in which Intel delineated what it had achieved in recent months and what it hopes to accomplish in this year, with the main focus on innovation.
This is the largest IDF happening outside the USA, according to Justin Rattner, Intel's CTO, who led off the day's speeches.
Click for larger imageChina, he commented, is an important centre for the global innovation market, with Intel wanting to appeal to Chinese engineers and scientists, who have a long history of innovation, to continue development of key technologies.
Rattner, however, identified that there are a number of hurdles to overcome before any company can become truly successful on a large scale.
Click for larger imageWhen you're delivering high volume manufacturing, Rattner opined, you have certain constraints and you need to drive out risk by minimising change. One method of doing so is to replicate, exactly, procedures adopted in one factory/lab in every similar centre around the world.
Replication isn't conducive to innovation, so Intel has significant resources that are dedicated solely to R+D, with Chinese teams providing an integral part of this effort, he said.
In 2006 Intel, Rattner regaled, filed 473 patents and were issued 288. Intel was proud of coverage in a broad range of leading literature, including Nature, Technology Review, ACE awards, etc.
Click for larger imageWhat we make of it is that Intel is patting itself on the back for work well done in 2006, and reckons that significant investment in R+D will continue in 2007. We'll see just what the fruits of this labour have been as this week unfolds, so stay tuned.
