Saturday, December 13th 2008
Intel Co-Founder Says Company Should Build Car Batteries
Former Intel CEO and Co-Founder Andy Grove has an interesting proposition for his former company. He believes that the emerging market for plug-in electric vehicles and hybrids presents a major business opportunity for Intel to become a leading manufacturer of advanced batteries. While Mr. Grove retired in 2005 he still serves as an advisor to Intel's leadership, including CEO Paul Otellini. This would mark a major divergence from Intel's current business model, as it would be unlikely much of their current research could be applied to such a drastically different product. In the early 2000s, Intel tinkered with producing consumer electronics, but the idea was shelved after a short time. More recently, Intel has abandoned business units that did not closely relate to its chip business. There is no doubt that the potential exists for advanced batteries to be a highly lucrative product as the public becomes ever more aware of environmental concerns and automotive manufacturers begin to design more electric and hybrid vehicles. One of the main obstacles for GM's Chevy Volt program is the lack of advanced battery technology to power it for a reasonable amount of time. Even though it would require creation of new departments from the ground-up Intel's financial resources make it a possible, although currently improbable, business venture. Currently there is no word from Paul Otellini on whether Intel is actively considering Grove's advice.
Source:
TG Daily
32 Comments on Intel Co-Founder Says Company Should Build Car Batteries
Anyway Intel going in this direction is definately a plus. Intel has such a large and highly skilled workforce, and it wouldnt be hard for them to expand into other areas. They do have many engineers/scientists, and processors and batteries are around the same field; in terms of chemistry and manufacturing processes. I'd really love for the end of petrol cars (actually end of everything that utilises fossil fuels) and the mass adoption of electric powered vehicles, but the limiting factor is the endless greed that oil/fossil fuel companies have, as well as their overwhelming influence.
I've replaced more Energizer automotive batteries than I have any other brand, including the no-name el-cheapo stuff sold at some parts stores and Wal-Mart. Auto batteries, although similar to household batteries in theory, design and method of use, are a completely different breed - having to be able to withstand some of the harshest operational environments, as well as climatic and environmental factors.
Batteries used in hybrids are even more peculiar, and require completely different materials for the extreme loads and extended reliability required of them - while still being able to withstand the same that the typical auto battery must endure.
I'm not saying Intel couldn't pull it off, but the odds are very much against them.
The current batteries for laptops for example only lasts around a year before they are completely useless at holding any charge for any reasonable period, the likes of Dell charge an ass raping £80 for laptop batteries!!!
Honetly the chips don't cost that much to make. It's the deportment time they are paying for I belive. So they could just make their money in the commercial market like normal, and take a chunk out of the returns to just build the worlds biggest supercomputer that could come up with things that you and me could never dream of.
A giant one that could mix chemicals over and over and run a true simulated real world test inside the machine. Hell it could come up with it's own math code if programed correctly.
Just think you just download dna samples of plants, and just all sorts of stuff. Then the computer just starts dishing them together one by one till it gets the right answer. I
also would be believe that the computer could be be expanded over and over. Just making it faster with no shut downs. I think that could be do able.