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Otago Daily Times
2 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
IT experts developing revolutionary technology
Two New Zealand-based IT experts are working on a ground-breaking technology that promises to revolutionise computing by creating a computer inside a computer memory chip. The innovative project, known as SADRAM (Symbolically Addressing DRAM), is being developed in Oamaru and could dramatically change how data is processed worldwide. Dr Robert Trout and Nicolas Erdody bring more than a century's combined experience in information technology to the ambitious endeavour. Dr Trout is the original inventor of SADRAM, a new type of memory chip architecture that can organise, access and even process data internally — without relying heavily on traditional central processing units (CPUs) to micromanage operations. "This is a paradigm shift," Dr Trout said. "Instead of the CPU managing every step of data processing, SADRAM moves computing power closer to the memory itself." Nicolas Erdody, director of Open Parallel and a key partner on the project, elaborated on the current state of computing technology. "Multicore processors, with multiple CPU cores on a single chip, have been the norm in phones, laptops and supercomputers for decades," he said. "But this architecture has barely changed in 50 years, and CPUs have hit a performance wall." Mr Erdody said designers could no longer extract significant improvements or better efficiency using the old designs. "SADRAM's architecture addresses these limitations head on." The new "information architecture and concept" behind SADRAM was designed to boost performance, reduce energy consumption and streamline the computing processes that modern technologies demanded. By embedding computation directly within the memory chip, the technology could reshape everything from artificial intelligence to data centre operations. Mr Erdody's company, Open Parallel, was selected in 2012 by the New Zealand government to help design software for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the world's largest radio telescope project. The company worked on SKA until 2019. He also directs the annual Multicore World Conference held in New Zealand, which attracts leading global thinkers in computing innovation. Originally from Uruguay, Mr Erdody has lived in Oamaru for over two decades with his family. He met Dr Trout earlier this year at the Multicore World Conference in Christchurch, where the two "like-minded" experts decided to collaborate on further developing SADRAM technology from North Otago. "We're jamming like musicians in a band — when like-minded people come together, ideas flow naturally," Mr Erdody said from their shared office space at the Business Hive in Oamaru's Thames St. Dr Trout, who hails from Palmerston North but now lives in Hamilton after decades in the United States, holds the worldwide patent for the SADRAM concept. Over his career, he has built several tech companies and pioneered novel computing architectures. As founder and president of Pico Computing Inc (2004-15), he developed FPGA (field-programmable gate array) products widely used in cryptography, genetic analysis and CPU acceleration. "FPGAs can outperform conventional CPUs in many specialised tasks," Dr Trout said. "The real revolution in computing came in the 1970s when the industry shifted from discrete components to printed circuits, separating design from fabrication. This enabled exponential growth in computing power for the past 50 years." But he warns: "We are now hitting physical and quantum limits. We cannot keep squeezing more performance from the same old CPU-centric design." The pair are focused on designing cost-effective technology to overcome these challenges. Their plan includes creating a company, hiring experts and developing hardware kits — either manufacturing them or licensing the design to major industry players such as Samsung. "The big picture is to build a design centre in New Zealand that proves cutting-edge tech can be developed anywhere. We want to inspire future generations to innovate locally with global impact," Mr Erdody said.
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- RNZ News
Thames MSD staff refuse to work at mould, sewage smelling office any longer
The temporary Ministry of Social Development office operated out of the Wintec Building in Queen Street, Thames until Monday. Photo: Googlemaps More than a dozen Ministry of Social Development staff walked off the job over what they say is an unsafe office with a ''strong mould and sewage smell". Staff stopped working in the ministry's Thames office on Monday, leaving 12,000 clients without a face-to-face service. The office was supposed to be a temporary space, after the Ministry of Social Development closed its main office in Pollen Street in November 2023 due to damage. But there's been ongoing issues with the temporary building. Staff moved out for a period of time last year, and last month it was closed for three days for security and privacy upgrades. The Public Service Association has now issued MSD with a Provisional Improvement Notice under the Health and Safety at Work Act, which requires the employer to address concerns about health and safety. MSD has redeployed staff to Paeroa which was 33km away. Thames Community Board chairperson Adrian Catran told Checkpoint the situation for clients trying to go to MSD was "terrible". "Twelve thousand clients in and around Thames and in the Coromandel Peninsula are unable to have face-to-face contact with MSD in Thames." Catran said it was "wrong" that clients wanting to visit MSD in person would have to travel to Paeroa. "There is no actual transport available to just travel to Paeroa at the moment, so that means they have to find their own way." MSD staff have been working in the temporary office for 18 months, despite the space originally being used as a solution for four weeks. Catran said the temporary office has had a number of issues over a long period of time. "The building is not really fit-for-purpose and had shortcomings anyway. Now it appears that has manifested itself to a point that staff won't work there. "It's had other problems in terms of the space is too small for 13 staff for example, client privacy is not available within the building to the extent that a lot of clients wanted." He said on a previous occasion the ceiling had collapsed in another room in the building. The original building had been vacated due to black mould and water leaks, but had now reopened as a fruit shop, Catran added. Last year local MP Scott Simpson issued a statement saying it was unacceptable for people to have to travel to Paeroa to see MSD staff in person, which Catran said was still relevant today. The Ministry of Social Development told Checkpoint the Thames Service Centre was temporarily closed on Monday and staff were redeployed to Paeroa Service Centre. They had access to vehicles for travel. Acting Regional Commissioner, Sharlene Horne, said MSD was working through concerns about the building in conjunction with the landlord, while also working on securing new long-term premises that met the ministry's requirements. Horne said MSD was working to reopen the Thames Service Centre as soon as possible but many of the client conversations in Thames already happened over the phone, and she expected clients should still be able to complete their appointments. PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons told Checkpoint there had been long-standing issues with the working environment at the Thames office which was supposed to be a temporary site. These concerns came to a head on Monday and health and safety representatives at the office had since issued MSD with a Provisional Improvement Notice under the Health and Safety at Work Act. She said the PSA was working on ensuring workers were not disadvantaged by any alternative options proposed and that they would continue to support workers through this. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
Iconic heritage-listed Cardrona Hotel goes on the market
Heritage-listed Cardrona Hotel is going on the market. Photo: Supplied to RNZ One of the country's most photographed pubs - and a fixture of the Central Otago landscape - is going on the market. Expressions of interest open on Friday for the 162-year-old, heritage-listed Cardrona Hotel. Cade Thornton, who has owned the pub with his partner Alexis and James and Fleur Jenneson since 2013, said the decision to sell was indescribably difficult. The group decided it was time to step back and focus on their young families, he said. "It's just such a friendly, happy place. It's a great environment to work and to be the custodian, the captain of that, is tremendously rewarding, and to see the place change in our time. It's defined my life, really." The hotel on the Crown Range Road between Wānaka and Queenstown included a restaurant, year-round beer garden, and 17 ensuite hotel rooms sleeping up to 44 guests. Its facade dated back to a now-vanished gold rush town that thrived in the 1860s, when Cardrona was a bustling settlement supporting thousands of Otago gold rush miners. Cade Thornton said it employed 40-50 staff, and the hotel was often fully booked. "The business is in really good stead. I've got some very long-term senior staff who love the pub and their jobs and their roles, and they want to see it through with the new owner," he said. He said the hotel attracted people from all walks of life. "We'll have guests arriving by helicopter, all dressed up for a nice meal, and then the local farmers will come in, leaving their gumboots by the door. I don't think there's any other place quite like it in New Zealand." The hotel on the Crown Range Road between Wānaka and Queenstown included a restaurant, year-round beer garden, and 17 ensuite hotel rooms sleeping up to 44 guests. Photo: Supplied to RNZ The Cardrona Hotel was being sold by private negotiation as a freehold going concern. Thornton said the owners would not be publicly disclosing a price, although in 2010, prior to expansion works, it was valued at $3 - 4 million. He hoped the next owner would have a "real passion" for the pub. "Fifty percent of buying it would be that you'd have to love it. You couldn't just look at it as a business opportunity. You'd have to be passionate about the business, the pub, its history, its potential," he said. "If someone's wanting it, who's got the means and the drive, I don't think they'd ever regret it," he said. Expressions of interest were open from Friday, 5 July until Friday, 15 August.
