If only it had a Brain
Artificial Intelligence at the edge
Artificial intelligence (AI), has application areas that extend from cashless payment to various types of security procedures and industrial production, transforming the world of work. The term “Edge Computing” has become established over the past few years along with the increased use of AI and neural networks, increasingly making its way into all areas of our lives. In computing, the “edge” is the outer edge of a technical information network where the virtual world of a computer network meets the real world.
AI becomes more a part of physical systems, which act in the real analog world. With the Internet of Things (IoT) uniting physical objects with the virtual world, intelligent devices and machines are connected to each other and the Internet. Relevant information is captured, analyzed and linked, with IoT devices controlled remotely, if the user desires. That is made possible by the interplay between connected components, such as microcontrollers, multiple fused sensor inputs, and power-efficient actuators which build the interface, converting electrical impulses into pressure, motion, temperature or other mechanical parameters. Edge-AI innovation enables us to drive value out of the exploding amount of IoT data in a more resource-efficient and thus sustainable way, which is paramount in times of climate change.
Overall energy efficiency is the key so a mix of AI and non-AI methods may be applied, with consideration also given to safety and security. With edge computing, data can be processed locally and – only what is absolutely necessary – transferred to the cloud. Ultimately, the necessary computing power, energy efficiency, and latencies as well as security and personal privacy are the deciding factors when it comes to processing data in the edge or in the cloud.
Data security is a key aspect of edge computing. It is important that the security is established in the hardware as this cannot be manipulated as easily as software. Infineon offers “embedded trusted platform modules” specifically for edge devices. They can be used to ensure the integrity of the system, to check the authenticity of communication partners, and to securely encrypt data.
Infineon has a deep knowhow and world leading products in all of these areas. Infineon provides sensors, actuators, microcontrollers including NN accelerators, plus hardware-security modules for IoT. Power efficiency, safety and security are part of our key competencies. In addition, Infineon has collaborated with its SME partners to offer complete subsystems and devices in the area of edge computing.
We are convinced that AI at the right places enhances our life and that there are many use cases for AI in endpoints. Edge AI is used for predictive maintenance and further automation or robotics, home automation or smart farming, to name a few applications. With our work on low power AI-enabled sensors we make intuitive sensing more ubiquitous, which spurs new applications in the home or city that can make lives easier, safer and greener. With our portfolio we help to link the real with the digital world offering secure, robust and energy-efficient AI solutions for the edge.
Infineon regards itself as both a user and provider of AI solutions. Infineon is helping make AI applications more robust, energy-efficient and secure, connecting the real and the digital world through system competencies in hardware, software and algorithms. Examples include:
- Power semiconductors from Infineon that ensure robust and energy-efficient power supplies for AI systems
- Infineon sensors use radar, silicon microphones, environmental and pressure sensors to manifest the extended senses of the AI system and make human/machine interaction easier
- Actuators and sensors from Infineon translate electronic signals into autonomous machine actions
- Hardware-based security solutions from Infineon make it possible to use and network AI systems securely
- Infineon microcontrollers provide energy-efficient solutions for using AI in direct proximity to people and turn trends such as Smart Home and Smart City into reality
- Edge AI enables data processing with AI close to the sensor without requiring communication with a cloud, thus making applications more energy-efficient, faster and more secure
Infineon’s technology solutions are instrumental in key trends such as collaborative robots (cobots), which are supported by AI-driven image detection systems that can dispatch ordered items, as well as autonomous vehicles in warehouses, where artificial intelligence helps the vehicles navigate safely as well as take the quickest route on their own.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and neural networks are becoming a key factor in developing safer, smart and eco-friendly cars and are fundamental building blocks for future automated driving applications such as object classification, target tracking, or path planning. They play an important role in optimizing automotive applications, reducing the cost of ECU systems, improving performance and accelerating time-to-market.
There is a new era of innovation possibilities for the automotive industry with AI, beyond Advanced driver assistant systems (ADAS) and connected cars. More in-vehicle sensors and ECUs are leading to more data to compute. Embedded AI could reduce operational cost and improve vehicle safety. AURIX™ microcontrollers support certain types of neural networks today. High safety level (ASIL-D support) AURIX™ microcontrollers with AI on the edge results in very high system reliability, enables data analytics and delivers true low-latency processing power.
Infineon was the first semiconductor manufacturer to launch a security controller specifically for automotive applications: The second-generation Trusted Platform Module (or TPM) from the OPTIGA™ family.
Infineon’s involvement ranges from advising academic and federal government bodies to actively shaping industry association policies and the continuing development of its own AI competencies, including the launch of the new Infineon Development Center “Automotive Electronics and Artificial Intelligence” in Dresden.
