The Hindu Business Line : Intel powers super bike

An absolute marvel: The Chopper with a host of innovative technologies on display at the recently hosted Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose, California.

V. Rishi Kumar

Recently in San Jose (California) What has chipmaker Intel got to do with super bike The Chopper, a 250 bhp technology-charged dream bike marvel?

Well, Intel commissioned Orange Country Choppers to design and develop this bike which was a star attraction at the recently hosted Embedded Systems Conference at San Jose, California.

This symbolises several major achievements of Intel in the embedded systems business over the last 30 years and also represents Quad Core processors, with the bike engine having four cylinders to crank.

Apart from being a marvel to behold, it has some exciting features built into it. To start with, it has a finger print activated ignition instead of keys, rear view cameras (for mirrors), GPS (geographical positioning system) and an automated kickstand.

The embedded systems group have mounted a personal computer powered by low power consuming Core 2 Duo processors that also handles the entire digital dashboard.

The General Manager of Intel Embedded Computing Division, Joe Jensen, told Business Line at the conference “traditionally most people know about Intel and its processors inside personal computers and servers. It is now 30 years since we played significant role in embedded systems. We are communicating our leadership in this area too.”

According to Paul Teutel Jr. of Orange County Choppers in the demo literature, “this is different from any other themed motorcycle the company has ever done in that we were able to use Intel’s product to help control and operate the bike. We have never quite done anything like it before.”

Meloney who was at the bike display booth said that apart from being a visual delight, it packs a lot of technology into it and demonstrates what is possible.

The all-digital dashboard with touch screen control replaces traditional dials and all mechanical and entertainment functions are displayed. These include speed and tachometer, turn signals, rear view mirror, audio and video dials.

It has a built-in PC in the digital dashboard that functions like a laptop. You can use it to surf the Web, mail, write and review reports.

The Intel’s chopper reflects the power of collaboration with partners such as Roper Mobile technology, Kontron and Streetdeck, among several others.

Kontron on its part displayed a 17-feet robotic Giraffe and a credit card sized computer module.

The latter powered with Intel Atom processor to demonstrate power and space saving design for next generation ultra mobile applications.

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Intel powers super bike