WD unveils strategy for hard drives exceeding 100TB in response to the AI data boom.
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Quick Overview
- WD rebrands and focuses on AI data needs with 100TB+ hard drives.
- Innovations such as UltraSMR ePMR and HAMR are designed to enhance performance.
- WD launches High Bandwidth Drive and Dual Pivot technology to bridge the SSD gap.
- Energy-efficient HDDs reduce power consumption by 20% for AI data centres.
- WD positions itself as a major player in the AI and cloud storage sectors.
WD Launches New Era in Storage Innovations
WD has formally embarked on a new journey, debuting a strategy to address the escalating data needs generated by AI advancements. During its Innovation Day 2026, the company showcased its aspirations for 100TB hard drives, merging capacity with state-of-the-art performance and efficiency technologies.
The Journey to 100TB and Beyond
The transition to 100TB storage is significant. WD’s 40TB UltraSMR ePMR HDD is currently undergoing testing with hyperscale clients, with expected global production by late 2026. The dual-track approach utilizing ePMR and HAMR technologies provides infrastructure compatibility, targeting 60TB on ePMR and 100TB on HAMR by 2029.
Reevaluating Hard Drive Performance
Conventional HDDs fall short compared to SSDs in speed. WD aims to change this with High Bandwidth Drive and Dual Pivot technologies. These advances double data throughput by allowing simultaneous read/write operations and enhance IO performance without compromising capacity.
Energy Efficiency for the AI Era
AI tasks often produce substantial amounts of “cold” data. To address power limitations, WD’s new HDDs lower energy consumption by 20%, making them ideal for extensive data storage requirements. These drives are anticipated to be certified by 2027.
A New Identity for a New Age
The rebranding to “WD” signifies a stronger emphasis on storage solutions for AI and cloud domains, now accounting for 90% of its revenue. This strategic shift reinforces WD’s role in the data economy.
Expanding Access for All
WD is extending its outreach by launching a platform with open API functionalities in 2027. This will enable medium-sized companies to efficiently manage large datasets, democratizing access to sophisticated storage solutions.
For further details, visit WD’s website.
Conclusion
WD is transforming data storage with initiatives for 100TB hard drives, emphasizing performance, efficiency, and market adaptability to fulfill the increasing needs of AI and cloud computing segments.
Questions & Answers
Q: Why is WD concentrating on AI data requirements?
A: AI necessitates substantial storage solutions due to its extensive data requirements, and WD strives to fulfill these needs with high-capacity and efficient drives.
Q: What innovations are being introduced by WD?
A: WD presents UltraSMR ePMR, HAMR, High Bandwidth Drive, and Dual Pivot technology to enhance storage functionality and efficiency.
Q: In what ways does WD plan to boost HDD efficiency?
A: By decreasing power consumption by 20%, WD’s new HDDs are tailored for AI data storage demands, balancing performance with efficiency.
Q: What does WD’s rebranding signify?
A: The rebranding illustrates WD’s dedication to emerging as a leader in the AI and cloud storage markets, focusing on the innovation of storage infrastructure.
Q: How will WD’s new platform assist mid-scale companies?
A: The platform, featuring an open API, will facilitate mid-scale enterprises in managing extensive datasets, providing storage solutions comparable to hyperscale standards.
Q: When will WD’s new technologies become available?
A: The 40TB drives are expected to arrive in late 2026, with further technologies and platforms launching by 2027.
