Intel Wants to Turn Cars into the Next Gaming PC

During its AI Cockpit Innovation Experience event in Shenzhen, Intel unveiled a new chip specifically designed for automobiles, with a strong emphasis on its GPU capabilities.

As car manufacturers strive to incorporate more entertainment options, Intel is jumping on board.

The A760A chip was specifically created to bring high-quality gaming to vehicles, according to Intel. The company’s goal is for the chip to not only support demanding AAA gaming titles, but also enable the use of AI and other advanced applications for efficient mobile work.

However, the graphics card in the car would not be complete. It’s comparable to Intel creating a massive competitor to the Steam Deck, incorporating the GPU within the chip itself.

According to Intel, the chip will offer voice, gesture, and camera capabilities to assist in game control.

The Team Blue disclosed its intention to design a “cockpit user interface”that will be capable of accommodating “seven high-definition screens”for the purpose of displaying “3D graphics”and operating “six in-vehicle cameras”with interactive features.

Intel highlighted on stage that the chip has the capability to handle eight 4K screens simultaneously.

Specs about the Intel chip, with a focus on the 8 screens at 4K

During the presentation, Intel’s Vice President and General Manager of Automotive, Jack Weast, also discussed their contribution to AI. He mentioned that users will not have to rely on the cloud for AI tasks, as the chip inside the car will provide sufficient compute power for these tasks.

Weast further iterates that Intel’s chip will offer unprecedented graphical experiences within a car, surpassing anything previously imagined.

Epic and Intel Collaboration Brings Unreal Engine to the Automotive Industry

As a crucial aspect of this plan, a collaboration has been established with Epic Games. This will involve the integration of Unreal Engine into the chip, a significant step that will provide necessary software support for the hardware.

Despite not disclosing any manufacturers who have chosen to utilize the card, Intel has confirmed that cars equipped with the chip will be released in 2025. However, the automotive industry is currently facing significant software challenges.

Recently, Apple introduced its updated version of CarPlay, as the Cupertino-based company desires complete authority over the car. In contrast, other companies such as GM have resisted this and have chosen to develop their own systems, citing safety concerns.

Tesla has revolutionized in-car entertainment with its large front panel that can be equipped with various apps. Similarly, BMW has incorporated AirConsole, a gaming platform that enables phones to function as controllers, in their latest 5 series.

Until now, the majority of experiences available have been mobile games that were adapted for car use. It seems that Intel’s goal is to replicate what Valve accomplished with handheld computers or what Apple achieved with the iPhone 15 Pro.

The top-of-the-line model currently offers a restricted range of AAA games, including Assassin’s Creed and Resident Evil which have already been made available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjtodH83_I0

Assassin's Creed Mirage – Launch Trailer for iOS | Ubisoft Forward (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjtodH83_I0)

Despite Intel’s continuous updates to its Arc GPUs and new chips for mobile platforms, as seen in the MSI Claw, their performance has been heavily criticized. While Team Blue strives to improve support through driver updates, they still fall behind in comparison.

The company is currently experiencing significant problems with its 13th and 14th generation of PC processors. In response, it has had to prolong warranties by up to two years, as the hardware continues to malfunction due to a bug.

Intel has acknowledged that they are unable to provide much assistance for any damage that has already occurred. Despite deploying a solution, the company continues to be plagued by the issue.