Why edge AI is the future of smart homes?

Today, more and more devices are connected at the edge. Even better, they're even more powerful thanks to artificial intelligence and machine learning. The emergence of smarter and closer devices is changing the functions of devices in the Internet of Things (IoT).

This result will completely change the smart home of the future and bring a huge win to consumers. More advanced than Amazon Alexa, the next generation of data processing devices will be able to make more autonomous decisions and transform our interactions with technology.

What’s more, this trend shows no signs of slowing down. The smarter the device, the more data it carries, and the more important privacy and speed of edge processing become. Let’s dig deeper into this virtuous cycle that will lead to more powerful edge-based devices and smarter homes.

Migration from cloud to edge

Hosting and processing data at the edge is the logical next step in computing. Over the past few decades, technology has advanced to storing data on central mainframes, then personal computing, and then cloud computing. Instead of using data centers to host and process information, the edge now brings computing and data storage closer to the data source, reducing the need to send large amounts of data to remote locations. This can bring countless benefits in terms of speed, usability, privacy and data security.

At the same time, smarter devices are driving data migration from the cloud to the edge. Consider that devices are often loaded with AI-optimized chipsets. These chips are smaller, more economical, and more energy efficient. Therefore, they enable the device to handle more processes internally rather than externally. Additionally, they have the ability to make predictions, process complex data, and manage solutions—all capabilities that translate into higher levels of autonomy.

Smarter Devices, Smarter Homes

The increasing number of powerful devices in modern homes makes edge computing not only feasible but practical. Rather than hosting personal data on cloud storage rented by the company, why not keep it at home? The benefits to users are self-evident.

First, bandwidth. Since edge technology analyzes data locally rather than in the distant cloud where long-distance communications are delayed, this could pave the way for devices to respond to user needs in real time. For example, in the smart home of the future, connected security cameras can broadcast ultra-high-definition video at a lower cost. In addition, cameras equipped with artificial intelligence can also identify people and count passing vehicles; smart speakers, like Google Home or Amazon Alexa, can perform more complex tasks and calculations and become more helpful.

Second, delay. Some applications require near-instant response times, which cloud computing cannot always provide. Latency at the edge is inherently lower because data doesn't need to travel as far. As a result, smart home devices become faster, respond instantly to user commands and provide real-time information. These faster response times can save lives from smart home devices that contact emergency services or sound alarms. They can also offer greater convenience, like door locks with instant facial recognition, or smart induction cooktops that automatically change cooking temperatures.

Third, safety. Higher speeds and lower latency of edge computing mean less downtime and disruption, reducing the chance of data being corrupted in transit. Additionally, platforms that assist edge computing communications are maturing. Take P2P (point-to-point) connections between IoT devices as an example. This communication between the end user and the server bypasses any third-party servers to ensure direct and secure relay of messages. Not only does this eliminate latency, it removes another element typically handled by the cloud and puts it back under the control of the user. This is especially important for connected devices, which have a poor security record in the past.

Opening a smarter future

In fact, edge artificial intelligence represents the first wave of truly integrating future technology into the home. While elements like artificial intelligence and machine learning have been around for decades, we are only now starting to see their practical applications in consumer products. Self-driving cars, for example, are the product of advances in edge artificial intelligence. This is the beginning of a smarter future.

The pandemic has only accelerated this trend of connected devices. It is expected that by next year, the number of smart homes will exceed 350 million. Now, with more devices and higher consumer expectations, it remains to be seen how advanced these applications will become. From fitness bands that analyze users’ vital parameters and prescribe preventive measures, to home alarm systems that trigger automatic calls to emergency services in the event of a fire, edge AI will forever change IoT in the home.

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