Lenovo Ramps Up Metaverse Focus, Creates Cloud Innovation Labs with VMware

LENOVO TECH WORLD ’22 — Lenovo is partnering with VMware to create edge and cloud innovation labs where they will develop and co-engineer industry-specific solutions. The companies revealed the alliance  Tuesday during a webinar where Lenovo showcased future technologies to address emerging business priorities.

During the Lenovo Tech World ’22 virtual event, Lenovo showcased new client, data center and software products. Some are conceptual such as prototypes of rollable laptops and smartphones, holographic computing technologies and telepresence capabilities. Others include recently announced products.

Among them are the 51 data center and cloud infrastructure products Lenovo’s Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) launched last month. The launch was Lenovo’s largest introduction of servers, storage hardware and edge systems to date. It included XClarity One, a tool that integrates Lenovo’s TruScale “as-a-service” cloud consumption option.

Lenovo and VMware have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly create Edge and Cloud Innovation Labs. It calls for the companies to develop co-engineered edge solutions with a focus on AI and multicloud capabilities. Lenovo ISG president Kirk Skaugen said the companies will create solutions optimized on Lenovo and VMware technologies along two areas. The first is around edge computing and associated AI with Lenovo think edge servers and VMware’s edge compute software. The second is around cloud computing with Lenovo ThinkAgile hyperconverged infrastructure solutions, and VMware Cloud Foundation and VMware cross-cloud services.

“These solutions be available as a service with Lenovo TruScale ensure seamless scalability, simplified management and predictable payment options where you pay for only what you use,” Skaugen said.

VMware CEO Raghu Raghuram added: “We are working together with Lenovo to tightly integrate VMware Cloud and our cross-cloud services with the Lenovo to scale. And we will deliver differentiated edge-native solutions with VMware edge compute stack, and Lenovo think edge servers and devices.

Preparing for Metaverse

Lenovo’s Kirk Skaugen at the Lenovo Tech World ’22 virtual event.

At the Lenovo Tech World event, company officials emphasized technologies under development, underscoring capabilities of its different groups. As part of the company’s Lenovo 360 message, the new divisions created last year can jointly deliver solutions.

“At Lenovo, we are doubling our investment in innovation,” said Lenovo CEO Yuanqing Yang. “In a fast-changing world, our commitment remains unchanged to make life better, work more productive and our planet more sustainable. This has to be done with the client, edge, cloud network and the intelligence working together to deliver the promise of technology.”

Yong Rui, Lenovo’s CTO, emphasized technology that enables the metaverse. Rui described the metaverse as solutions that use augmented and virtual reality to enhance collaboration and communications. Rui outlined four layers of metaverse technology: feature points, generic structure, realistic texture and object semantics.

Lenovo’s Yong Rui at the Lenovo Tech World ’22 event.

“Lenovo offers a diverse product portfolio of metaverse,” Rui said.

Rui shared how Lenovo is focusing on metaverse from its distinct devices, infrastructure and solutions groups.  On the device side, Rui noted Lenovo’s portfolio of AR and VR devices and headsets. The Lenovo ThinkReality VRX, which the company announced last month, is an all-in-one virtual reality headset for enterprise applications. Lenovo said the VRX includes Lenovo’s ThinkReality software, developed for building VR into enterprise applications.

“On the solution side, we develop end-to-end solutions tailored for vertical industries,” Lui said. “Moving forward, Lenovo is willing to build an open metaverse ecosystem, along with like-minded industry partners.”

Focus on New Software

Besides the prototype devices, Lenovo previewed new software, including the Lenovo Freestyle app. The tool lets users pair their tablets and extend them to a portable second screen. Lenovo is also introducing new Motorola edge smartphones, including its new Ready For platform, which extends the smartphone’s features to larger screens. It allows for a mobile desktop on the larger displays for video meetings, streaming and gaming.

The new software also includes Lenovo’s Remote Work Enablement solution, which it designed for the provisioning of users. Lenovo also previewed Cyber Spaces, a proof-of-concept solution that aims to create immersive experiences with holograms for virtual communications and collaboration. And Lenovo showcased features that enable users to create avatars for video conferencing.

Expanding on its AI and productivity software, Lenovo introduced its Production Decision Engine, which uses AI to analyze and predict supply chain risks with Supplier 600. Lenovo also previewed remote video conferencing for frontline workers and a new Virtual Classroom solution. The new remote video collaboration solution connects frontline workers with remote experts to perform repair jobs through real-time marks.

Net Zero by 2050

Last month’s launch also included an upgrade to Neptune, Lenovo’s warm water-cooling technology. Now Lenovo is sharing its short-term 2030 emissions reduction goals, which include aligning with Science Based Targets. Lenovo is also committing to contribute to the goals aligned with the Paris Agreement.

“While 2050 seems a long way off, we know there’s a lot of work that has to be done,” said Laura Quatela, Lenovo’s chief legal officer. “We are continuing to make progress and are laser-focused on our current 2030 science-based targets, which focus on our own emissions in our own operations, as well as the emissions in our value chain.”