What Makes Edge AI Crucial for Modern Industrial Applications: Insights into Advantech's AIR Series
27/08/2024
Introduction
Building on the foundational knowledge from our previous article, "What is Edge AI and Where can it be applied ?", this article delves deeper into the practical applications of Edge AI in industrial environments, with a particular focus on machine vision. We will explore the challenges and advantages of implementing Edge AI, and how it optimizes industrial operations. Additionally, we will provide a detailed overview of Advantech's key products: AIR-030, AIR-150, AIR-310, and AIR-520, which are pivotal in deploying Edge AI solutions.
What are the challenges of implementing Edge AI?
Implementing Edge AI in industrial environments presents several challenges that need to be addressed to ensure successful deployment and operation.
Hardware Requirements
Edge devices must have sufficient computing power to handle complex AI Inference models while being durable enough to withstand harsh industrial conditions. This includes resistance to extreme temperatures, dust, and vibration.
Software Integration
Ensuring seamless integration of Edge AI systems with existing industrial control systems (ICS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems is crucial. This requires robust software solutions that can communicate effectively with various industrial protocols and data formats.
Data Management
Managing and processing large volumes of data locally can be challenging. Efficient data handling, storage, and real-time processing capabilities are essential to leverage the full potential of Edge AI.
What are the advantages of Edge AI?
Despite the challenges, Edge AI offers several significant advantages that make it an attractive solution for industrial applications.
Low Latency
By processing data locally, Edge AI reduces the latency associated with transmitting data to the cloud. This enables real-time decision-making, which is critical for applications like quality control and predictive maintenance.
High Performance
Edge devices are capable of handling complex AI algorithms, providing high-performance data analysis and processing capabilities. This allows for more accurate and efficient operations. Additionally, these devices can be seamlessly integrated into existing infrastructure, enabling the expansion of AI capabilities without the need for significant overhauls.
Enhanced Privacy
Processing data at edge nodes reduces the risk of transmitting sensitive data over the Internet, enhancing data privacy and security. This is particularly important in industries where data confidentiality is crucial. Traditionally, transmitting data to the cloud posed risks of data breaches and potential data loss during transmission. However, with Edge AI, these risks are significantly reduced as data is processed at edge nodes, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure and intact.
Cost Efficiency
Reducing reliance on cloud services can significantly lower data transmission and storage costs. Local processing also minimizes the need for high-bandwidth internet connections, further reducing operational expenses.
How Edge AI Optimizes Industrial Operations
Edge AI can significantly enhance various aspects of industrial operations, leading to improved efficiency, safety, and productivity. By installing Edge AI systems on production lines, real-time monitoring and quality control become possible. High-resolution cameras and AI models detect defects such as surface flaws, dimensional deviations, and assembly errors, allowing for immediate rejection of defective products and improving quality control accuracy and efficiency.
Machine Vision Applications
Machine vision, powered by Edge AI, plays a crucial role in modern industrial operations. It enables automated inspection, measurement, and identification processes that are faster and more accurate than manual methods. For example, in the automotive industry, machine vision systems can inspect parts for defects, ensuring that only high-quality components are assembled into vehicles. In the electronics industry, these systems can verify the placement and soldering of components on printed circuit boards (PCBs), reducing the risk of faulty products reaching consumers.
Predictive Maintenance
By analyzing data from sensors (e.g., vibration, temperature, noise), Edge AI systems can predict equipment failures before they occur. This enables timely maintenance, extending equipment life, reducing maintenance costs, and minimizing unplanned downtime.
Employee Safety Monitoring
Edge AI can monitor whether employees are wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly. It can instantly detect non-compliance with safety protocols and notify managers or trigger safety procedures, reducing the risk of accidents.
Access Control and Security Management
Edge AI can integrate facial recognition technology for high-precision access control, ensuring only authorized personnel can enter restricted areas. It can also monitor and record entry and exit times, enhancing security management.
Autonomous Mobile Robots
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) equipped with Edge AI can navigate autonomously within factories, performing tasks such as material transport and product delivery. These robots can perceive their surroundings in real -time, avoid obstacles, and plan routes autonomously, improving logistics efficiency and reducing the need for human intervention.
Detailed Overview of Key Products
AIR-030 for Autonomous Robots
The AIR-030 is a high-performance edge AI inference system equipped with the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin processor, offering up to 275 TOPS of AI computing power. It can run multiple AI inference pipelines simultaneously, making it suitable for complex AI applications in industrial environments, such as automatic defect detection, real-time video analysis, and high-precision image processing.
Features and Applications
- High Performance: Supports up to 275 TOPS of AI computing power.
- Durability: Industrial-grade design with wide operating temperature range and robust build.
- Connectivity: Rich I/O port design, including 2.5GbE Ethernet ports, CAN bus, USB, and DIO.
More information about Advantech's edge AI and GPU technology can be found here.
AIR-150 for PPE Detection
The AIR-150 is a compact edge AI inference system powered by 13th Gen Intel® Core™ Mobile processors. Despite its small size (156 x 112 x 60 mm or 6.14 x 4.4 x 2.36 inches), it packs a punch with 26 TOPS of AI computing power courtesy of the Hailo-8 AI accelerator.
Features and Applications
- Compact Design: Small form factor suitable for embedding in industrial equipment.
- Low Power Consumption: Efficient power usage with high AI computing power.
- Versatile Connectivity: Equipped with various I/O ports for diverse application needs.
More information about Advantech's edge AI and GPU technology can be found here.
AIR-310 for AOI Defect Inspection
The AIR-310 is a versatile edge AI system that provides robust performance for various industrial applications. It is suitable for tasks such as predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and process optimization.
Features and Applications
- High Performance: Supports complex AI algorithms for real-time data processing.
- Durability: Designed to withstand harsh industrial environments.
- Connectivity: Multiple I/O ports for flexible integration with existing systems.
More information about Advantech's edge AI and GPU technology can be found here.
AIR-520 for Medical Image Analysis
The AIR-520 is an advanced edge AI server that supports multiple AI models and provides high-performance computing for complex industrial tasks. It is ideal for applications such as large-scale image recognition and real-time data analysis.
Features and Applications
- High Performance: Supports multiple AI models for complex data analysis.
- Scalability: Designed for large-scale industrial applications.
- Connectivity: Equipped with extensive I/O options for diverse application needs.
More information about Advantech's edge AI and GPU technology can be found here.
Conclusion
In factories, Edge AI devices like Advantech's AIR-030, AIR-150, AIR-310, and AIR-520 can significantly enhance operational safety, efficiency, and product quality. These devices, with their powerful AI inference capabilities and rich interface support, can process large amounts of data in real -time locally and adapt to the stringent requirements of industrial environments. The application of Edge AI enabled factories achieves higher levels of automation and intelligence, greatly improving operational efficiency and product quality while ensuring employee safety. Through real-time data processing, intelligent decision support, and predictive maintenance, factories can more flexibly respond to market demand changes and significantly reduce operating costs. As Edge AI technology continues to evolve, future factories will become smarter, more efficient, and safer.
