The Future of Computing: How Edge Computing is Revolutionizing the Tech Industry

Edge computing refers to processing, analyzing, and storing data closer to where it is generated to enable rapid, near real-time analysis and response. In recent years, some companies have consolidated operations by centralizing data storage and computing in the cloud. But the demands of new use cases enabled by billions of distributed devices—from advanced warehouse and inventory management solutions to vision-enhanced robotic manufacturing lines to advanced smart cities traffic control systems—have made this model unsustainable.

Additionally, the increased use of edge devices—from Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as smart cameras, mobile point-of-sale kiosks, medical sensors, and industrial PCs to gateways and computing infrastructure—for faster, near real-time actionable insights at the data source is driving exponential growth in the amount of data generated and collected.

It’s estimated that by 2025, 75 percent of data will be created outside of central data centers, where most processing takes place today. In addition approximately 90 percent of all data collected by enterprises today will never be used. As such Edge computing provides a path to reap the benefits of data collected from devices through high-performance processing, low-latency connectivity, and secure platforms.

Edge computing involves processing, analyzing and storing data at the source rather than sending it to the cloud. This approach enables fast, near real-time analysis and response. With the growing number of IoT and mobile devices generating large amounts of data, traditional centralization in the cloud is becoming unsustainable. 

The majority of data created by 2025 is expected to come from outside central data centers and a large percentage of collected data never even gets used. Edge computing offers a solution by providing high-performance processing, low-latency connectivity, and secure platforms to make the most of data collected from devices. Intel technologies can help companies quickly deploy edge computing solutions to meet their diverse needs.

Here are four use cases showcasing new opportunities and optimizing operations:

Retail: Edge computing can enhance retail accuracy using sensors and cameras and make supply chains and product development more efficient. It can also analyze customer behavior in real-time for a better shopping experience. For instance, Sensormatic's video-based AI solution helped retailers open safely during the COVID-19 pandemic by monitoring occupancy and enforcing social distancing.

Industrial: Edge computing can support Industry 4.0 by integrating digital and physical technologies for more flexible and responsive manufacturing. Intel and Nebbiolo Technologies worked with Audi to create a scalable and flexible platform using predictive analytics and machine learning algorithms to improve weld inspections and quality control processes.

Education: Some software-based education solutions use on-device AI for personal virtual assistance, natural language interaction, and augmented reality experiences. ViewSonic's digital whiteboard solution uses edge and vision technology to recreate the classroom experience for distance learning.

Healthcare: Edge computing can improve healthcare outcomes with inpatient and outpatient monitoring, telehealth services, and AI inference on medical imaging equipment for faster health issue detection. Philips improved AI inference for medical images by 188% using existing CT scan equipment without needing new hardware.

In the future edge computing will continue to shape the way we process and analyze data. This will be driven by a number of factors including

Increased Adoption: Edge computing has already been embraced by various industries, including retail, industrial, education, and healthcare. In the future, the adoption of edge computing is expected to increase even further, with more industries and businesses recognizing its potential. This will result in a greater demand for edge computing solutions, and the development of new and more sophisticated technologies.

Improved Performance: As edge computing technology continues to evolve, performance is expected to improve. This will make edge computing even more efficient, allowing for faster and more accurate analysis of data. Edge computing will continue to reduce latency and provide real-time insights that businesses can use to make informed decisions.

IoT Integration: The Internet of Things (IoT) is a growing field that generates a vast amount of data. Edge computing will continue to play a crucial role in IoT by allowing for real-time analysis and response to the data generated by IoT devices. As IoT technology continues to advance, edge computing will become even more integrated into the IoT landscape, providing faster and more accurate insights into IoT data.

Increased Security: As edge computing continues to gain popularity, security will become a top priority. Companies will need to ensure that their edge computing solutions are secure, and that the data they process is protected. This will drive the development of new security measures, such as encryption and secure data storage, to protect data at the edge.

The evolution of edge devices with enhanced processing, computation, analytics, and storage capabilities poses a new challenge: deciding on the best combination of technologies for each deployment based on the processing requirements, the desired service level, and practicality

So what does the future hold for edge computing? Semicos aim to integrate one trillion transistors into a single device by 2030, which is a testament to the limitless possibilities in this field. In the future, we might also see the development of eco-wellbeing-edge, a zero-carbon deployment model with the ability to assess users' stress levels and well-being.

In conclusion, the future of edge computing is bright, with increased adoption, improved performance, IoT integration, and increased security. Edge computing will continue to play a crucial role in processing and analyzing data, allowing businesses to make informed decisions in real-time. As edge computing technology continues to evolve, businesses can look forward to even more sophisticated and efficient solutions in the future.