Intel Shakes Up Management, Creates New Auto-Tech Team

Enterprises are always talking about driving innovation, profits and market disruption. Intel has been one of those companies for years, but now it is talking about driving in the literal sense of the word: making new chipsets that control motor vehicles on roadways of all kinds.

The world’s largest computer processor maker on Nov. 29 revealed that it has completed a major reorganization of its management structure in order to create a new division it calls the Automated Driving Group.

This new team will be dedicated to innovating the future of driving and designing the next generation of advanced driver-assist systems and autonomous driving solutions. Intel said the ADG will be led by industry veterans Doug Davis and Kathy Winter.

Intel also announced that Tom Lantzsch will join Intel’s executive leadership team as new Senior Vice President and General Manager of the company’s IoT Group. The ADG will operate under the jurisdiction of the IoT Group, although most of its work is likely to be independently organized.

New Head of IoT Division Comes from ARM

Lantzsch comes to Intel with more than 30 years of experience in Fortune 500 and early-stage startup companies. Most recently, he was the executive vice president of strategy at ARM, where he spent the last 10 years of his career.

Davis has been with Intel for more than 30 years and has led the development of several disruptive technologies, including the IoT group. He will now serve as the senior vice president and strategic leader of the new Automated Driving Group. Davis was also the only technologist to testify before the U.S. Congress on automated driving earlier this summer, Intel said.

Davis decided to postpone his retirement after being offered this new job.

Winter will serve as the Vice President and General Manager of ADG. Prior to joining Intel earlier this year, Winter was vice president of software and services for automated driving at Delphi. In 2015, she was recognized for achieving the first cross-country drive by an autonomous vehicle. That same year, she was named to the Automotive News list of “100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry.”

Winter will oversee the organization, engineering deliverables and customer commitments associated with delivering automated driving solutions.

Where Does This Fit in Intel’s Big Picture Plan?

How important is this reorganization in the greater scheme of things for the company?

“IoT and self-driving cars are part of the Intel growth strategy, so it’s very important to the company,” Patrick Moorhead, President and Principal Analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, told eWEEK. “Intel is doing well in the data center, edge compute and gateways, and end points that need a lot of compute power, like robotics and security cameras. This is mostly greenfield for Intel.

“AI is an important element of an overall IoT strategy and Intel unveiled this the week before last. Also, there must be something good that Doug (Davis) sees at Intel as he is now staying on.”

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Originally published on eWeek