ACM TechNews

Intel Touts Progress Toward Intelligent Computers

CNet (08/22/08) Shankland, Stephen

Intel showcased a number of technologies in robotics, computing, and communication at the Intel Developer Forum to highlight its progress toward machine intelligence. Intel is exploring the concept of programmable matter, or devices built out of minuscule programmable elements called claytronics atoms (catoms) equipped with sensors, processors and electromagnetic components that can control the distance between the catoms. The result would be reconfigurable, shape-shifting products. Meanwhile, University of California, Berkeley professor Jan Rabaey presented a vision that radio devices will become smaller and increasingly cognitive, or capable of automatically sensing the availability of uncluttered radio spectrum and which communication protocols should be employed at a given moment. Rabaey also foresees more collaborative radio that can form into a mesh network that transmits data with greater speed, quantity, efficiency, and reliability. Mike Garner with Intel's emerging materials group said "tri-gate" technology that boosts processing speed and circuitry density while consuming less electrical power will work to the advantage of complimentary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS), and stated that "we think CMOS will continue to be the workhorse for many years in the future."

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10023055-92.html

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