Overview
Edge AI brings processing and storage capabilities closer to where they’re needed. As a result, Edge AI technologies can be used in various industries to great benefit.
This article will explore the top 11 industry examples of Edge AI, but first, let’s briefly describe what Edge AI is, and the benefits workplaces can gain from implementing it.
What is Edge AI, and how does it benefit industries?
Before exploring how Edge AI positively impacts different industries, it’s important to define what Edge AI is. To achieve this, it’s also necessary to discuss Edge computing, as it plays an essential role in Edge AI.
Edge Computing stores data and performs computing tasks in the same place that the data is initially generated. It brings the functions of gathering, analyzing, and processing information to the network’s edge.
Depending on the particular case, the network’s edge could mean many things: a local server, a self-driving car, or an IoT device.
Artificial Intelligence, on the other hand, refers to technology that can mimic how humans think and respond, such as when dealing with problem-solving or language comprehension. A practical way to explain artificial intelligence is automation coupled with advanced analytics.
In that case, Edge AI can be understood as artificial intelligence that’s performed locally. It uses technology like sensor fusion, video analytics, machine vision, and advanced analytics.
When artificial intelligence and Edge computing join forces, the results hold impressive benefits for numerous industries.
For example, Edge AI hurries decision-making, improves user experience, promotes data security, and cuts expenses. On top of this, Edge AI can combine the advantages of operating locally with the strength of the cloud, allowing it to share tasks and improve its performance (via cloud-based training) as time goes by.
A great example of Edge AI can be seen in tools used in factories or shops. Since data doesn’t have to be shipped to the cloud, the tool’s battery can survive for extended periods.
In addition to battery life improvements, a tool with Edge AI onboard is capable of so much more since it can analyze, collect, and process data in real-time.
Tools and machinery that run on Edge AI technology can also automatically shut down if there’s ever an emergency. Moreover, they can send relevant information to the manufacturers to know how their products perform, enabling them to step up their product development strategies.
Today, every industry aims to bolster automation, enhance productivity and safety, and speed up their day-to-day processes. To get this done, computer programs that identify patterns and efficiently carry out functions are undeniably necessary.
The thing is, AI applications often can’t effectively be set up or used in an enterprise data center or a centralized cloud because of privacy concerns and issues with latency and bandwidth.
Edge AI’s ability to address these concerns makes it an appealing option for enterprise environments.
The top 11 industry examples of Edge AI
Now, let’s explore the top 11 industry examples of Edge AI.
1. Energy management benefits from Edge AI
With Edge computing and Edge AI functioning as the core machinery behind smart grids, enterprises can manage their energy consumption more efficiently.
Smart grids monitor energy consumption, decentralize energy production, and correctly tap into renewable energy. However, these tasks also generate vast amounts of data that must be effectively communicated between devices.
Delays in communication come about when data is transmitted between the device and the cloud.
With Edge AI, these communication delays are non-existent.
2. Edge AI can easily manage traffic control
Edge AI is becoming increasingly popular in solving problems that involve traffic management.
For example, by automatically adjusting the frequency of how lights are timed, Edge AI traffic cams can efficiently resolve traffic situations and improve safety on the road.
Additionally, when drones adopt Edge AI, data is analyzed more productively, and drones can be equipped with powerful object detection abilities. This makes Edge AI extremely useful in cases involving cartography, construction, and of course, traffic monitoring.
3. Self-driving cars are made safer with Edge AI
Enhancing safety, lowering the number of accidents, improving efficiency, and reducing traffic jams are all achieved because autonomous vehicles are equipped with Edge AI, thanks to its ability to process complex data in record time.
4. Edge AI is allowing for autonomous truck convoys
With Edge AI, facilitating automated truck convoys requires only a single driver to head the entire convoy.
One staffed vehicle in front will be needed, but Edge AI will take care of the rest.
5. Edge AI benefits speech recognition applications
Transcribing speech on cell phones can become quicker and more efficient with speech recognition algorithms supported by Edge AI.
6. Edge AI helps with patient monitoring
Maintaining privacy and enabling timely notifications regarding patient monitoring procedures can be achieved more efficiently when data is processed locally with Edge AI.
7. Health monitors utilize Edge AI technology
Wearable health monitors that determine heart rate, keep tabs on breathing, and check blood pressure, utilize local AI models. This results in real-time notifications and ensures that the user’s sensitive health data stays safely on the device.
8. Fault detection in production lines benefits from Edge AI
Edge AI ensures that product quality is efficiently monitored.
Monitoring product quality is made possible with machine vision, a type of AI. Machine vision prevents flawed or defective products from getting past quality inspections through video footage recorded and collected from cameras.
But that’s not all. It can also predict future mechanical failures and aid production automation.
Detecting and analyzing alterations in production lines before mishaps occur can be significantly improved with the accuracy and speed of Edge AI, thereby assisting manufacturers.
9. Edge AI excels at monitoring remote assets
Since Edge AI empowers real-time analytics by processing closer to the Edge, remotely monitoring assets in the gas and oil industries is made fast and straightforward with Edge AI.
Edge AI is also beneficial in remote use cases as it consumes very little power and doesn’t require an internet connection.
10. Edge AI can be useful in a variety of retail settings
Almost all retail houses make good use of customer analytics. Some examples include collecting and analyzing data on what dates purchases were made, knowing where people are looking on a website, and keeping track of customer feedback.
Edge AI can be particularly useful in retail use cases regarding video analytics.
With Edge AI, key information can be derived from a store’s video footage. This may include what customers consider important (such as price, size, and color). Video footage can also show the customer’s faces, noting how happy or disappointed they are with certain products.
Additionally, thanks to Edge AI, it’s possible to skip the traditional cashier. Edge AI can tally items automatically when put into a shopping bag without an additional checkout process. Services like Amazon Go provide an excellent example of this type of Edge AI technology.
11. Edge AI can improve robotic arms
Robotic arms provide an excellent example of how training in the cloud and deployment at the Edge can work together to achieve great results.
For example, a robotic arm can learn improved ways to grasp particular packages over time, then share this information with the cloud to improve other company robots.
The future of Edge AI technology in industry settings
Even though Edge AI is still considered a relatively new technology, it’s quickly gaining traction across industries.
Today, automation, enhanced productivity, and improved safety is the name of the game regarding AI in industry settings.
When a company doesn’t want to use the cloud for all their AI work on account of latency, bandwidth, and privacy concerns, Edge AI emerges as an appealing option for a wide variety of industry use cases.
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