Case Study

The Story Behind the

Intel® Chopper
Embedded
Intel® Chopper

Beyond PCs and Servers – Intel celebrates 30 years of innovation

and leadership in embedded technology

Case Summary

Intel Built a… What?

By now you've seen the Intel® Chopper, or at least heard about it. You may even be wondering why Intel
would build a motorcycle. The thought may have crossed your mind: how is it that the same technology
that drives your PC can have anything to do with driving a vehicle? What on earth was Intel thinking?

“The most powerful and technologically advanced bike we've ever made.”
—PAUL TEUTUL SR., ORANGE COUNTY CHOPPERS*

Before we explain why, we think it's important that you know a little more about it. When you break down
the components and look inside the digital dashboard, you may find all the answers you need.
Case Study The Story Behind the Intel® Chopper

About the Intel® Chopper

This Intel-themed, fully operational concept bike is both a mechanical powerhouse
and marvel of embedded technology. It was designed and built by the renowned
custom motorcycle company Orange County Choppers (OCC). “It’s different from
any other themed motorcycle we've ever done in that we were able to use Intel's
product to help control and operate the bike. We've never quite done anything like
it before,” says Paul Teutul Jr. of Orange County Choppers.

In fact, a computer-driven motorcycle is so
unique that the idea required support from
several technology companies, including a
few members of the Intel® Communications
Alliance. Integration of the computing and
technology components was done by Roper
Mobile Technology*. Infotainment software
was provided by StreetDeck*. And Kontron*
built the single-board computer that powers
the Roper SwitchBack* PC that runs the
bike's computing systems.
Intel came up with the idea and provided
the embedded technology that powers so
many of the bike's computerized features.
But the design and construction was all OCC.
Take a look at what the Intel Chopper
is all about:
No Mirrors: Who needs mirrors? The rear-
mounted USB camera offers a constant
view of the area behind the bike which
is displayed on one corner of the digital
dashboard.
Fingerprint-Powered Security: Who
needs keys? The bike's starter is controlled by
fingerprint recognition software – effective
security for both the bike and the UMPC.
Audio, Video, GPS and more: Enjoy touch-
screen control of a wide selection of audio
and video tools, including GPS navigation.
All of these programs are integrated with
the chopper's audio and video system for a
multimedia experience.
Wireless: With Bluetooth* wireless tech-
nology, the chopper's infotainment features
can be wired into the driver's headset. Wi-Fi
technology enables web-surfing whenever
the bike is parked in range of a hotspot, or
whenever the UMPC is detached and used
within range of a wireless network.
Electronically Controlled Hydraulic
Kickstand: The driver of the Intel Chopper
can raise and lower the kickstand with a
simple touch to the digital dashboard. Good
thing, because this is one “beefy bike.”

All-Digital Dashboard with Touch-Screen

Control: The all-digital dashboard replaces
traditional dials. All mechanical and
entertainment functions are displayed
here, including speed and tachometer,
turn signals, rear-view mirror, audio and
video dials, etc.

Built-in PC: The all-digital dashboard is

also a detachable, ultra-mobile PC (UMPC)
that functions just like a laptop. Use it to
surf the web, do email, write and review
reports, prepare spreadsheets, and so forth.

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 The Story Behind the Intel® Chopper Case Study

Celebrating 30 Years of
Embedded Innovation
Perhaps the most surprising thing about the Intel chopper isn't the fact that
Intel built a motorcycle at all, but the fact that Intel has been igniting innovation
What is Embedded
in the embedded technology industry for more than 30 years now. You know
Technology?
Intel as the leading silicon, technology and platform supplier to the PC and From traffic lights to an
server industry. But did you know that Intel has a much longer history of engine's fuel-injection
advancing embedded technology? In fact, Intel introduced the embedded system, microcontrollers
8048 microcontroller in 1976, before the advent of the personal computer. have simplified the mundane
It was the first device to integrate a processor, memory, peripherals and I/O. tasks of everyday life. Built
Ever since then, Intel has been advancing the use The Intel Chopper was developed to commemorate into ATM's, self-service gas
of embedded technology with innovative silicon and these 30 years of embedded technology leadership pumps and supermarket
platform designs that power today's automobiles, and innovation. It's “the most powerful and techno- checkout machines,
airplanes, ATMs, information kiosks, telecommunications logically advanced bike we've ever made,” says embedded computing now
infrastructure, network storage systems, and factory Orange County Choppers' Paul Teutul Sr., “to showcase surrounds us in a more
and medical equipment. It's a success story that has the many ways the world benefits from Intel embedded
powerful and connected
much to do with Intel's unwavering commitment to technology. In fact, we were amazed to discover how
way than ever before.
extended life cycle support for its embedded chips much Intel technology we have in our own shop.
of 5-7 years or more. Beyond the Intel-powered PCs and servers, we have
Intel processors embedded in many of the machines
and devices that help us with every bike build.”

Roper Switchback* Interface

Rear-View Cam Web Browser Ignition Finger Print ID

Voltage Meter StreetDeck Turn Indicators Kickstand Control

Infotainment
Speedometer
Tachometer
Battery Voltage
Gauges

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Case Study The Story Behind the Intel® Chopper

Implications for the Future of

Embedded Technology
In looking at embedded technology through the eyes of the Intel chopper, it's
clear that we're driving in new and uncharted territory. New levels of integration
and sophistication are not only possible, they are quite necessary. This means
that developers must find ways to make sure their systems perform reliably
under a variety of conditions for a long period of time, yet are scalable,
intelligent, interactive, and intuitive. In fact, the implications for the future
of embedded system designs are quite complex and include:

Reliability and Durability: Unlike their desktop
counterparts, embedded computing systems must
last for 5-7 years or more. They often run 24x7
without interruption and must suffer through misuse.
What's more, slow, inefficient or inoperable systems
are not tolerated. And because embedded systems
are often subject to temperature fluctuations, dirt,
moisture, shock and vibration, they must be
extremely durable.
replaced frequently. Customers need solutions that
are scalable to keep costs down and performance up.
Ever-Smaller Form Factors: The ability to deploy
embedded solutions in new venues requires systems
in ever-smaller form factors. Not only must these
devices be reliable and secure, they must also operate
on very low power, often without fans, in very tight
enclosures.

Seamless Connectivity: The connection between
the embedded system and the enterprise is not only
necessary, it must be continuous, automatic and
transparent. Access must be available anywhere:
wired or wireless, fixed or mobile.
Secure: The proliferation of devices connected to
the enterprise creates a security problem. Enormous
amounts of customer and business data are
deployed and collected on these systems. This data
must be captured, relayed, stored and protected.
Scalability: Embedded systems are complex and
expensive and connect to infrastructure that is also
highly sophisticated. While the performance demands may
increase quickly, the systems themselves cannot be
Increasingly High Performance: Security, reliability,
scalability, connectivity – all of these requirements
translate into ever-increasing performance demands
at the core. Processors must not only be faster, but
must also be capable of handling ever-more sophisti-
cated calculations, contain greater memory and
short-term cache, and support multiple applications
and functions simultaneously. Intel’s new custom bike
from Orange County
Intel embedded technology and products are igniting Choppers has a built-in
innovation and leading the industry in all of these
computer system that
areas. From ultra-low voltage designs that suit very
compact enclosures to the highest performing, multi- includes a fingerprint
core processors, developers can choose from a variety reader from Zvetco
of platforms to meet ever-changing form factors and Biometrics.*
industry demands.

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 The Story Behind the Intel® Chopper Case Study

Raw Performance
In fact, Intel is way ahead of other silicon vendors in addressing the performance
challenge with multi-core processing platforms that deliver higher levels of raw
power without increasing the voltage requirements for embedded systems. Intel
was the first to bring out dual-core and quad-core processors for the embedded
market segment. But that's only the beginning. In the future, Intel expects to
deliver processors with as many as 80 cores.

As you ponder that amazing number – and the raw
performance potential of an 80-core processor –
consider how Intel's shift to multi-core architecture is
changing the performance strategy for embedded
systems. This new architecture drastically changes
the way developers take advantage of performance.
Application code must be rewritten to take maximum
advantage of parallelism, starting with four cores and
expanding to the future with the potential of 80
cores, or more.
Igniting Innovation
You're not alone in wondering how to take advantage
of that kind of performance. Intel's own engineering
and management teams pondered these questions:
• What kinds of systems and applications are possible
with multi-core performance?
• How does this power alter the landscape for
embedded computing?
• What does this performance leap mean for our
industry?
These are challenging questions, especially in our
world where the form factor still dictates so much,
where innovation has to make things more user
friendly, not less. And let's not forget the requirements
for connectivity, mobility, durability under stress,
and scalability.
The idea for the Intel Chopper was born out of these
questions. After all, a motorcycle is highly mobile;
is exposed to highly rugged operating conditions
such as shock, vibration, dirt, water and temperature
extremes; does not require technical expertise to
drive; and has basically been untouched by the
embedded technology industry. In short: the chopper
offered a one-of-a-kind venue to blend machine and
computer into a single device, thereby demonstrating
the potential power and scope of today's embedded
computing technology.

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Case Study The Story Behind the Intel® Chopper

Even More Value

All of the chopper's features show how embedded Intel architecture serves
a broad array of industries and applications through embedded innovation.
With I/O and protocol support for Wi-Fi and Internet connectivity, embedded
Intel technology is serving the needs of the communications marketplace.
Infotainment applications are made possible with strong graphics support
integrated into the processing architecture. Of course, Intel still supports the
control functions that are vital to factory automation, as seen in the hydraulic
kickstand. And advanced security applications like fingerprint recognition
software require a strong platform that includes cache, memory, I/O and
speed – all to address a primary concern in all market segments.

More broadly, embedded Intel architecture is delivering The Road Ahead

the reliable, scalable performance and extended life
cycle support demanded by the industry. Roper's
President Justin Dyster notes that embedded Intel
architecture is an ideal fit for rugged designs, where
durability is vital. “From experience we know that
the Intel® Architecture will hold up under extreme
operating conditions,” he says. “Intel also has the
optimum performance density at ultra-low voltage
right now, which is also really important in the
UMPC segment.”
For more than 30 years, Intel has been driving
innovation in embedded computing. From the first
single-purpose microcontrollers to today's high-
performance, multi-core platforms, Intel has been
a constant force behind the integration between
embedded and enterprise computing.
The advent of multi-core computing will radically
alter the landscape for embedded designs. While Intel
engineers design the architecture that will power the
future of the embedded industry, what are you doing
to change the game?

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The Heroes
Taking the Intel Chopper from idea to reality was
an incredibly collaborative effort between some
very unlikely bedfellows.
Our admiration goes first to the Teutul family and
Orange County Choppers for turning the vision into
a motorcycle – their motorcycle. We also wish to
thank the engine developer, Greg Nelson of Nelson
Engineering,* for designing a quad engine that delivers
raw power like never before. So too we wish to thank
Jeff Clegg, an OCC fantasy bike winner who lent us
his chopper for testing.
But even more importantly, Intel wants to recognize
the strength of its developer ecosystem that made
it possible to integrate embedded technology with
a mechanical masterpiece. Known as the Intel®
Communications Alliance, this ecosystem enables
a ready supply of components and solutions all
optimized for Intel architecture. This allows faster
time from idea to finished concept for a broad
array of solutions. The Intel Communications
Alliance members that supplied components or
contributed to the build of the Intel Chopper are:
Roper Mobile Technology
As a leader in the development of innovative
ultra-mobile computing systems, especially
rugged, embedded designs, Roper was integral
to the delivery of the Intel Chopper. Roper engineers
did all of the technical integration between the
SwitchBack-PC and the bike's mechanical systems.
“We couldn't have done it without them,” says Steve
Reed, Director of Industry Marketing for the Intel
Embedded and Communications Group.
The Story Behind the Intel® Chopper Case Study
Kontron
The Roper SwitchBack PC that comprises the bike's
all-digital dashboard and computing system is based
on an ultra-compact Kontron CPU module featuring
an ultra-low voltage Intel processor. Because Kontron
is a leading member of the Intel Communications
Alliance, they were able to quickly deliver a prototype
CPU module outfitted with Intel's latest processors
to help Roper accelerate the development cycle
for their SwitchBack PC. This ongoing relationship
enables Roper to quickly and continually upgrade
their SwitchBack PC platform each time Intel
delivers new performance capabilities.
StreetDeck
The chopper's infotainment system is powered by
StreetDeck software, which is the current leader in
the development of information and entertainment
applications specifically for use in motor vehicles.
The StreetDeck application was selected by Roper
because it is the most comprehensive and robust
solution available. The fact that StreetDeck is a
member of the Intel Communications Alliance
also ensured that the software was Intel ready.
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www.intel.com/go/embedded

For more information:

http://ignite.intel.com
www.switchbackpc.com
www.kontron.com
www.streetdeck.com
www.orangecountychoppers.com
www.intel.com/go/ica

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