Postcard from Intel Foundry Direct Connect: Chip Roams Intel Factories

To: Fans of robots and extreme operational efficiency

From: Intel Foundry Direct Connect, San Jose, Calif. | April 29, 2025

An unusual Intel factory tool took the stage Tuesday at Intel Foundry Direct Connect: a robot dog from Boston Dynamics named “Chip.” Intel Foundry’s Jessica Unwin explained that Chip is one of a pack of robots that work at Intel manufacturing sites around the globe, “helping to make work in our facilities smarter, safer and more efficient.”

As demonstrated on stage, Chip is equipped with a thermal imaging camera that can quickly identify developing issues like overheating electric motors. “Data is like gold,” said Intel Foundry’s Joe Robison, “and Chip has allowed us to expand the amount of data we collect from our assets, allowing us to understand the health of our assets and fix them before they become failure.” Additional robots use acoustic and image processing to cover more than a dozen types of inspections.

Naga Chandrasekaran, Intel Foundry chief technology and operations officer, explained that Chip and his robot cohort reflect his team’s efforts to drive innovation “in every part of our factory and every part of our business.” Every doggone part.

P.S. Intel Foundry Gathers Customers and Partners, Outlines Priorities | Intel Foundry Direct Connect 2025 (Press Kit) | See Chip Roam Intel Factories (YouTube Video)