Driving Innovation at Infineon’s OktoberTech™: A Collaboration Hub for Emerging Technologies

Recently, we chatted with Adrian Mikolajczak, Vice President at the Silicon Valley Innovation Center for Infineon Technologies, to learn more about Infineon Technologies' role in fostering innovation through collaboration at their annual event, OktoberTech™. With a clear mission to push the boundaries of technology, OktoberTech™ serves as a forum where cutting-edge innovations are showcased, and experts collaborate to address tomorrow's tech challenges.

What is OktoberTech™?

OktoberTech™ is Infineon Technologies' unique technology collaboration forum, designed to bring together experts, customers, and partners to explore the possibilities of new technology. Unlike traditional tech shows, OktoberTech™ focuses on technologies not yet widely available, emphasizing demos that push the envelope of what's possible. According to Adrian, "If it's already on the web, it doesn't belong at OktoberTech™," reinforcing the event's commitment to groundbreaking innovation.

Tech Demos and Industry Collaboration

Infineon Technologies hosted over 90 demos at this year's event, covering diverse fields like energy, mobility, and IoT. These demos showcased both Infineon Technologies' latest advancements and collaborative projects, such as introducing the industry's first 300mm GaN power wafer, designed to drive down costs and improve efficiency in power solutions. Adrian demonstrated this through a side-by-side comparison of two power supplies, showing how the GaN-based solution achieved higher efficiency in a smaller form factor, which could significantly impact energy consumption across global data centers.

Future-Forward Tech in Mobility and IoT

Mobility and IoT were also significant themes. One exciting demo highlighted a wood dashboard panel with embedded touch-sensitive technology, creating a tactile, luxurious experience that blends technology with natural materials. This innovation illustrates Infineon Technologies' drive to merge high-end design with cutting-edge functionality.

Another notable showcase was the continuous lactate sensor for fitness monitoring, developed through a close partnership. This sensor allows athletes to measure their lactate levels in real time—a breakthrough for optimizing performance. Infineon Technologies collaborated with a partner who developed the sensor, while Infineon Technologies focused on creating the low-noise, highly sensitive silicon front-end to capture accurate data.

Silicon Valley Innovation Center: Supporting the Next Big Ideas

At the core of Infineon Technologies' innovation strategy is the Silicon Valley Innovation Center, which Adrian describes as "a place for tackling the next big opportunities." The center facilitates collaboration with customers and partners, identifying and addressing specific technical challenges that require innovative solutions. Infineon Technologies' approach to collaboration goes beyond product lines, encouraging partners to define their challenges so Infineon Technologies can explore unique solutions, potentially merging various technologies like GaN, silicon carbide, and silicon.

A Commitment to Decarbonization and Digitalization

Infineon Technologies' corporate mission emphasizes decarbonization and digitalization, strongly focusing on efficiency and waste reduction. To support these goals, Infineon Technologies uses a product carbon footprint label on its website, providing customers with detailed information about the energy and emissions involved in producing each component. Adrian explains that customers can make more sustainable decisions by understanding these metrics—such as CO₂ equivalent emissions from materials, production, and transportation. This initiative aligns with Infineon Technologies' vision for a more eco-conscious tech industry and exemplifies its commitment to transparency and responsible manufacturing.

Looking Forward

OktoberTech™ remains an exclusive, forward-looking event where partners and experts come together to shape the future of technology. With innovations across power management, mobility, IoT, and sustainability, Infineon Technologies is committed to driving change and collaborating with companies seeking impactful solutions.