Huawei has initiated real-world testing of its Magneto-Electric Disk (MED) technology at the Yunshangtun facility in Guiyang, Guizhou province. The system integrates SSD components with magnetic tape storage, aiming to combine the low cost of tape with the faster access speeds associated with hard disk drives.
The MED architecture utilizes SSDs to store metadata, facilitating rapid retrieval of information from the tape component. This design is intended for managing cold and warm data, particularly for AI model training, media archiving, and scientific research. The technology relies on the magneto-electric effect, allowing magnetic states to be controlled via electric fields rather than traditional electromagnetic coils.
The development of MED serves as a strategic move to reduce reliance on hard disk drives, which face potential supply chain risks due to sanctions. By leveraging domestic flash memory production, Huawei seeks to create a storage solution that minimizes energy consumption, as data stored on the tape portion does not require active power for maintenance.
The broader market for cold storage is seeing increased activity, as evidenced by Fujifilm's recent investments in LTO tape production. Industry data indicates a 57 percent year-over-year growth in LTO tape shipments during the first quarter of 2026, highlighting the rising demand for high-capacity archival storage solutions driven by the needs of artificial intelligence.
