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Solutions
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BUCKLE UP
Counterpoint Research estimated the storage capacity requirement for autonomous vehicles to balloon over 2TB in the next decade
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Innovations
ZONED STORAGE
Addresses data center scale with increased capacity, better QoS with lower TCO
Academic Collaborations
Western Digital participates in multiple collaborations with external organizations to provide Western Digital access to resources and knowledge that can be applied to improving current products, development of new technologies or products, and generate value from the data stored on our devices.
ACADEMIC COLLABORATIONS
Sponsored Academic Research
Western Digital has an ongoing program to sponsor research activities at institutions around the world. The research topics funded are selected from proposals generated internally at Western Digital, in which our team identifies topics that need a deeper level of investigation. The research topics are matched to a team or institution that has expertise that applies to the specific topic for investigation. A lead researcher is selected from the Western Digital team to work with the institution to develop a detailed plan and collaboratively define the work to be completed and milestones to measure progress. Multiple engineering or scientific disciplines are involved in the research programs.
The programs are structured to benefit both Western Digital and the involved institutions. Investigations into real world problems, opportunity to engage with a team from industry, and collaborative development are some of the benefits to those institutions conducting research. Some of the investigations span a multiple-year period while others have a limited scope and duration. There is an internal process within Western Digital to periodically review progress of specific programs, along with a yearly process to align the sponsored investigations with the business needs of Western Digital. Technology is advancing at an ever-increasing pace in the world of data storage and data analysis, which creates a challenge and opportunity for Western Digital to help drive the transformation of our industry and provide value to our customers.
Academic Collaborations
Industry Consortia
Western Digital also participates in Industry Consortia, where the research projects funded are directed to challenges and opportunities that are targeted at the industry in general rather than the specific needs for Western Digital. Participation in consortiums is a crucial activity for Western Digital as a leader in our industry. Results from the consortium work are available to all of the members and sponsors of the research programs, which helps all of the participating companies to chart a course for internal technology development.
The work of the consortiums is primarily focused on investigation of new technologies that might someday be incorporated into products created by the members. Each member company must do their own evaluation of the research project to see whether or not it fits into their long-term plans for technology, and develop a path to implementation of the technology. Care is taken in selection of the projects to make sure they can benefit all member companies of the consortiums.
ACADEMIC COLLABORATIONS
Internships
Western Digital has created an internship program where researchers from universities can join a team inside Western Digital to participate in a research project. Internships are designed to last a summer with the participants fully immersed in the project. Engineers and researchers within Western Digital must define a project that will fit the criteria of the internship program. The project scope and duration must be accomplishable within the summer program. The intern will work closely with a mentor while at Western Digital and is expected to conduct the defined project and complete a final report detailing the learning and outcomes resulting from the internships.
We believe that it is our responsibility to help developing engineers and scientists get a taste of what it is like to work in industry and help round out their education with some real experience.
