Intel Intros "Smart Shirt," Robot - Analyst Blog

Intel Corporation INTC recently showcased two gadgets based on the latest technology trends at the Code Conference. It unveiled a white two foot tall robot named Jimmy and a health-tracking smart shirt.

Intel demonstrated Jimmy as an open-source, customizable 3D-printed research robot, which is designed to walk, talk, sing, dance, translate languages and tweet. The robot-making kit will be made available to customers by the end of this year for around $1,600.

The kit will consist of wires, batteries, motors and an Intel Edison processor, which cannot be 3D-printed. However the rest of the robot can be 3D-printed and the graphics will be made available online for free.

The smart shirt as described by Intel is powered by a battery and has been developed by a company named AiQ. The shirt is equipped with sensors to monitor the heart rate, emotions and other essential signs of athletes. Moreover, the sensors can communicate with a smartphone app to provide all types of measurements. Intel does not build the sensors embedded in the shirt, but intends to start doing so soon.

The battery used in the shirt is not water-resistant but Intel will build devices that can be submerged in water. Intel plans to release the shirt by this summer.

Intel is putting in all efforts to broaden its foothold in wearables. With the launch of a smart shirt the chipmaker is attempting to be a forerunner in developing budding technologies like smart clothing. The latest push is expected to ramp up its wearable prospects, which will soon cover other devices for the eyes, ears, nose and torso. Moreover, Jimmy marks Intel's foray into robotics.

Intel was late in arriving to the mobile revolution and has had limited success in the mobile segment to date. But the company seems determined to meet its target of 40 million tablet units this year. As a part of the plan, Intel recently signed an agreement with Rockchip, a Chinese mobile chipmaker in a bid to produce chips for inexpensive tablet computers running on Google's (GOOGL) Android operating system.

Intel needs to be aggressive in its efforts to capture new markets, given the rumors regarding Apple's AAPL plans to replace Intel's x86 chips with those based on ARM Holdings ARMH architecture for its personal computer products, MacBook and iMac. Moreover, ARM-based chips are also expected to make an entry into the server segment soon, an area that has been its stronghold so far.

Currently, Intel carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

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