Elon Musk has introduced the Terafab challenge, a three way partnership between Tesla, SpaceX and xAI, to construct the "largest chip manufacturing facility ever." In his standard grandiose style, Musk claims Terafab is the subsequent step in direction of harnessing the ability of the solar and making a "galactic civilization."
Musk, CEO of all three corporations, introduced plans for the Terafab in a livestream on X. Because the identify implies, the challenge's final purpose is to provide a terawatt of computing energy every year in order that it could actually match the businesses' rising demand for chips. Musk defined throughout the livestream that he's grateful to present provide chain companions like Samsung, TSMC and Micron, however the present capability of chip producers solely provides as much as about two % to what Tesla and SpaceX wants when it comes to future computing energy wants.
"We both construct the Terafab or we don't have the chips," Musk mentioned throughout the occasion. "And we want the chips so we're going to construct the Terafab."
The Terafab challenge, estimated to price at the least $20 billion, will begin with the Superior Know-how Fab in Austin, Texas, the place Tesla is already headquartered. Musk mentioned that the 2 varieties of chips will likely be produced within the Terafab: one for terrestrial functions, prefer to energy Full Self-Driving or Optimus robots, and one other extra high-powered, sturdy chip for use in area. Should you're questioning what Musk has in retailer for area, the SpaceX CEO filed an utility with the Federal Communications Fee to launch one million satellites to create an "orbital knowledge heart" earlier this yr. As promising as this sounds, it's price noting that Musk has beforehand overpromised and underdelivered on different initiatives, just like the Hyperloop, a $40,000 Cybertruck and totally autonomous driving.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/elon-musk-announces-terafab-project-he-claims-will-be-the-largest-chip-manufacturing-facility-ever-171718545.html?src=rss