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What is edge AI computing?

Posted January 1, 2021 - Updated June 17, 2022
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Edge artificial intelligence (AI) starts with edge computing. Also called edge processing, edge computing is a network technology that positions servers locally near devices. This helps to reduce system processing load and resolve data transmission delays. These processes are performed at the location where the sensor or device generates the data, also called the edge.

Developments in edge computing mean that edge AI is becoming more important. This is true across a variety of industries, particularly when it comes to processing latency and data privacy. In this article we’ll look at the impact of edge AI, why it’s important and common use cases for it.

What is edge AI?

Edge AI refers to AI algorithms that process locally on hardware devices, and can process data without a connection. This means operations such as data creation can occur without streaming or storing data in the cloud. This is important because there are an increasing number of cases where device data can’t be handled via the cloud. Factory robots and cars, for example, need high-speed processing with minimal latency.

To achieve these goals, edge computing can generate data through deep learning on the cloud to develop deductive and predictive models at the data origin point — the device itself (the edge).

We can see an example of this at work in factory robots. AI technology can be used here to visualize and assess vast amounts of multimodal data from surveillance cameras and sensors at speeds humans can’t process. We can also use it to detect faulty data on production lines that humans might miss. These kinds of Internet of Things (IoT) structures can store vast amounts of data generated from production lines and carry out analysis with machine learning. They are also at the heart of the deductive and predictive models that improve the “smartification” of factories.

Edge AI, the Internet of Things and 5G

Edge AI is often talked about in relation to IoT and 5G networks. The term IoT refers to devices connected to each other through the internet, and includes smartphones, robotics and electronic devices. As a platform that performs analysis with AI, edge AI can collect and store the vast amount of data generated by IoT, making it possible to use clouds with scalable characteristics. This allows for improved data processing and infrastructural flexibility.

5G networks can enhance the above-mentioned processes because their three major features — ultra-high speed, massive simultaneous connections and ultra-low latency — clearly surpass that of 4G.

Edge-AI

Table outlining key differences between 4G and 5G networks.

5G is indispensable for the development of IoT and edge AI because when IoT devices transmit data, data volume swells and impacts transfer speed. Drops in transfer speed can create latency, which is the biggest issue when it comes to real-time processing.

Why are edge computing and edge AI important?

There are an increasing number of cases in which device data can’t be handled via the cloud. This is often the case with factory robots and cars, which require high-speed processing because of issues that can arise when increased data flow creates latency.

For example, imagine a self-driving car suffering from cloud latency while detecting objects on the road, or operating the brakes or steering wheel. Any slowdown in data processing will result in a slower response from the vehicle. If the slowdown is such that the vehicle does not respond in time, this could result in an accident. Lives are at risk.

For these IoT devices, a real-time response is a necessity. This means the ability for devices to analyze and assess images and data on the spot without relying on cloud AI.

By entrusting edge devices with information processing usually entrusted to the cloud, we can achieve real-time processing without transmission latency. In addition, by limiting cloud data transmissions to only vital information, it is possible to reduce data volume and minimize communication interruptions.

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Edge AI use cases

The edge AI market is chiefly comprised of two areas: industrial machinery and consumer devices. We’re seeing progress with demonstration tests in areas including controlling and optimizing equipment, and automating skilled labor techniques.

Progress is also being made with consumer devices that have cameras with AI that automatically recognize photographic subjects. Because the number of devices is larger than industrial machines, the consumer device market is expected to rise drastically.

We’ve put some common use cases for edge AI below:

Self-driving cars

Self-driving cars are the most anticipated area of applied edge computing. There are many cases where self-driving cars have to make instantaneous assessments of a situation, and this requires real-time data processing. In December of 2019, revisions to the Road Traffic Act and Road Transportation Vehicle Law in Japan made it easier to get level 3 self-driving cars on the road. These include the safety standards that autonomous vehicles are held to, and the areas in which they can operate. As a result, car manufacturers are working on self-driving cars that adhere to these standards. Toyota, for example, is already testing full automation (level 4) with the TRI-P4.

Autonomous drones

There’s been an increase of news about drones losing control and going missing while on remote flight experiments. With autonomous drones, the pilot is not actively involved in the drone’s flight. They monitor the operation remotely, and only pilot the drone when absolutely necessary. The best known example of this is Amazon Prime Air, a drone delivery service which is developing self-piloting drones to deliver packages.

Facial recognition

Facial recognition systems are a development in surveillance cameras, which can learn to recognize people by their faces. In November 2019, WDS Co., Ltd began supplying Eeye, an AI camera module that analyzes facial features in real-time through edge AI computing processes. Eeye recognizes faces quickly and accurately, and is suited for marketing tools that target specific characteristics such as age and face identification for unlocking devices.

Smartphones

This edge AI device is the one we’re all most familiar with. Siri and Google Assistant are good examples of edge AI on smartphones, as the technology drives their vocal user interfaces. With on-device AI, processing happens on the device (edge) side, meaning there is no need to deliver device data to the cloud. This helps secure privacy and reduce traffic.

The future of edge AI

Edge AI is growing and we’ve seen big investments in the technology. For example, in January of 2020, it was reported that Apple invested $200 million to acquire the Seattle-based AI enterprise, Xnor.ai. Xnor.ai’s AI tech processes data on the user’s smartphone with edge processing. With built-in AI on the smartphone itself, we’ll likely see advancements in voice processing, facial recognition technology and enhanced privacy. And with the spread of 5G, we’ll also likely see decreasing costs and increasing demand for edge AI services across the world.


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