Intel-Based Systems Power Audi's High-Tech Car Safety Tests

    MUNICH, Germany--July 9, 2002--German car manufacturer AUDI AG will use Intel Corporation-based servers from Fujitsu-Siemens* to optimize its car safety testing procedure. Intel(R) Pentium(R) III and Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 processor-based systems will enable Audi's crash-test simulations to be faster and more efficient. A second phase will see the introduction of an even more powerful infrastructure based on the latest Intel(R) Xeon(TM) processor-based servers. The Intel-based platforms will be coupled in a clustered configuration to run applications ported from proprietary architecture and RISC-based systems.
    The initial Intel-based solution is an integrated Linux* cluster system based on 52 Pentium III dual-processor nodes and 24 Pentium 4 processor single nodes. The cluster delivers high performance in addition to being scalable and easily upgradeable. The second phase of the relationship includes the addition of 64 dual nodes based on the Intel Xeon processor. The Audi solution also includes a 57 GB RAM, 10 terabytes of hard-disk storage, Fast Ethernet switches (100 Mbit/s), and software from PamCrash* (ESI), Nastran* (MSC) and Storm* (Easy Engineering).
    The advantages of the solution for Audi's virtual test environment are clear: without consuming material and without risk of incorrect experimental arrangements, the cluster calculates virtually any plausible crash scenario. In conjunction with crash simulations, Audi uses the tool to supplement crash simulations to improve vehicle safety.
    "Intel-based servers deliver compelling price performance in an era where cost effectiveness is vital to all sectors of industry," said John Woodget, director of Intel's business and communication solutions group for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. "Intel offers standards-based, scalable solutions that can grow incrementally to match evolving business requirements, which will contribute to Audi's continued success in automobile safety."
    "We found that the Intel Pentium 4 based-systems offer a very attractive, absolute performance because of their high floating-point performance compared to traditional RISC-based systems," said Karl Huber, Audi CAE system manager. "The Intel-based cluster system has produced excellent benchmark results and, in terms of price to performance, it is extremely competitive."
    Leading-edge technology is used increasingly in the automobile industry to maximize efficiency of procedures and to enable the greatest accuracy. Audi is a pioneer in using clustering as a way to deliver higher performance in the automotive industry. In 2001, Audi won a four-star safety rating for its latest A4 luxury sedan in the European New Car Assessment Programme* crash test and strives to maintain its reputation for safety and technological development.
    Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

    Intel, Intel Xeon and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.