Siri is Announced
Siri is introduced as a built-in feature with the Apple iPhone 4S
smartphone in October. A voice-activated personal assistant,
Siri could “understand” natural language requests and also ad-
just the information it retrieved from the web by learning user
tendencies and preferences. Siri could perform a wi de number
of functions – from recommending local restaurants (using the
web and the iPhone’s built-in GPS navigation system), provi-
ding walking or driving directions, giving weather forecasts,
showing current sports scores, and even answering seemingly
meaningless questions like, “Who is your favorite NCAA college
football team?” Although the program’s “voice” was female by
default, it could be changed to a man’s voice.
Intel collaborates with Waymo on
self-driving computer design
The Intel logo is shown at the E3 2017 Electronic Entertain-
ment Expo in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 13, 2017. RE-
UTERS/ Mike Blake
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Intel Corp (INTC.O) on Monday
announced a collaboration with Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O) Way-
mo self-driving unit, saying it had worked with the company
during the design of its computer platform to allow autonomous
cars to process information in real time.
The world’s largest computer chipmaker said its Intel-based
technologies for sensor processing, general compute and con-
nectivity were used in the Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans
Waymo has been using since 2015 to test its self-driving sys-
tem.
Intel Chief Executive Brian Krzanich told Reuters that Intel built
“a custom piece of silicon” that fit Waymo’s sensor fusion needs
and tapped Intel’s processing power.
“Over time we’ll both learn we can bring more of the software ...
down onto the silicon, because you get performance, cost and
power,” Krzanich said. “There will be a regular cadence of new
innovation and new silicon that comes out. That’s really what
we both get out of this.”
Intel, which announced the $15 billion acquisition of autono-
mous vision company Mobileye in March, is pushing to expand
in autonomous vehicles, a fast-growing industry, across a varie-
ty of business models. A collaboration with Waymo, considered
by many industry experts to be at the forefront of autonomous
technology, adds to its portfolio.
The announcement marked the first time Waymo has acknowle-
dged a collaboration with a supplier. Waymo, which began as
the Google self-driving car project, has done most of its develo-
pment work in-house.
The Waymo logo is displayed during the company’s unveil of a
self-driving Chrysler Pacifica minivan during the North Ameri-
can International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., January
8, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
Intel began supplying chips for the autonomous program begin-
ning in 2009, but that relationship grew into a deeper collabo-
ration when Google began working with Fiat Chrysler Automo-
biles (FCHA.MI) to develop and install its autonomous driving
technology into the automaker’s minivans. Those vehicles be-
gan test drives at the end of 2016.
Waymo, which has developed its own sensors, is not using the
autonomous vision system created by Mobileye.
Underscoring the non-exclusive partnerships and collabora-
tions in the space, Mobileye and Intel are in an alliance with
German automaker BMW (BMWG.DE) and Fiat-Chrysler to
create an industrywide autonomous car platform.
Waymo CEO John Krafcik said fast processing was crucial to
the performance of its autonomous vehicles.
“Intel’s technology supports the advanced processing inside
our vehicles, with the ability to manufacture to meet Waymo’s
needs at scale,” Krafcik said in a statement.
Intel also said on Monday it had invested $1 billion in artificial
intelligence companies over the past three years.
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