What is Edge Computing?

Imagine you are testing your newly bought self-driven car. You have autopilot mode on the busy streets of London, and your car needs to process inputs from various sensors and cameras to make the best decisions and avoid accidents. But what if, not in a real scenario, the machine takes a few more seconds to process the decision? Well, it doesn't sound good. Similarly, we have a lot of IoT devices with many sensors that need to make decisions or provide insights in real-time to avoid such situations.

This is where edge computing comes into play. It acts as a layer between the data source and the cloud. Positioned at the edge of the device, it enables quicker decisions. This reduces latency in the process and ensures real-time decision-making.

Source: IEEE Innovation at Work

How is Edge Computing Different from Cloud Computing:

Feature	Edge Computing	Cloud Computing
Location of processing	Closer to the source of the data	In a remote data center
Latency	Lower	Higher
Bandwidth utilization	Lower	Higher
Performance	Better for real-time applications	Better for non-real-time applications
Security	Can be more secure, as data is not stored in a central location	Can be less secure, as data is stored in a central location
Cost	Can be more expensive, as it requires additional hardware and software	Can be less expensive, as it does not require additional hardware and software

Real-life application:

Self-driving cars: Edge computing can be used to process data from sensors in the car, such as cameras and radar, in real time. This data can be used to make decisions about how to drive the car safely. Cloud computing can be used to store and analyze data from the car, such as historical driving data, to improve the performance of the self-driving car.

Industrial automation: Edge computing can be used to collect data from sensors in industrial machines, such as robots and conveyor belts. This data can be used to monitor the machines and prevent them from malfunctioning. Cloud computing can be used to store and analyze data from the machines to improve the efficiency of the production process.

Healthcare: Edge computing can be used to collect data from medical devices, such as pacemakers and insulin pumps. This data can be used to monitor patients and provide them with better care. Cloud computing can be used to store and analyse data from medical devices to improve the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

For more enlightening tech insights, stay tuned to our blog "InnoTech Central". If you're intrigued by the wonders of edge computing and its transformative potential, don't hesitate to explore further. Feel free to share your thoughts and perspectives in the comments section below!