Who was Avtar Saini, former Intel country head, killed after being knocked down by speeding cycle?

Saini was also involved in the early phases of developing Intel's 64-bit architecture, known as the Itanium Processor. His contributions laid the groundwork for future advancements in microprocessor technology, cementing his legacy as a pioneer in the field.

Avtar Saini (Photo credit: X/@hyderabaddoctor)

Avtar Saini, the former India country head of Intel, died on Wednesday after he was knocked down by a speeding cab while he was cycling in Navi Mumbai.

Avtar Saini was a distinguished figure in the realm of microprocessor design and development. With a background in electrical engineering, Saini’s remarkable journey spanned over two decades at Intel, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of microprocessors.

Born and raised in India, Saini pursued his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from VJTI, Mumbai, followed by a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota. His tenure at Intel commenced in April 1982.

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Also Read | Former Intel India head Avtar Saini run over while cycling in Navi Mumbai

Saini’s contributions to Intel’s microprocessor portfolio are exemplary. He was instrumental in the design and development of groundbreaking processors, including the Intel 386 and 486 microprocessors.

However, his most notable achievement came with his leadership role in the creation of the iconic Pentium processor, introduced in March 1993.

As co-leader of the Pentium processor design team, Saini oversaw the project from conception to volume production, ensuring its successful integration into the computing market.

The Pentium processor quickly became synonymous with computing excellence, dominating personal computers, laptops, and data servers throughout the 1990s and beyond.

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Beyond his work on the Pentium processor, Saini was also involved in the early phases of developing Intel’s 64-bit architecture, known as the Itanium Processor. His contributions laid the groundwork for future advancements in microprocessor technology, cementing his legacy as a pioneer in the field.

Throughout his tenure at Intel, Saini accrued a wealth of expertise and garnered recognition for his innovative endeavours. He held several patents related to microprocessor design. Saini’s impact extended beyond Intel, as he ventured into roles with other technology companies, including Montalvo Systems, where he served as the director of India operations.