The IoT’s Next Chapter:

Using Edge AI to Handle the New Wave of the IoT

The Rise of IoT and Edge AI

Explore how Edge AI is transforming the IoT landscape with real-time data processing, privacy enhancements, and energy efficiency, powered by Infineon’s PSoC™ Edge platform.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is expanding rapidly. Currently, 127 devices connect to the internet every second. By 2027, experts predict that number will rise to 43 billion. This explosive growth creates a strong demand for system solutions that are smarter, more efficient, and capable of improving human life. Edge AI is poised to meet that demand.

What Is Edge AI?

Edge AI refers to deploying artificial intelligence at the device level, closer to where the data is generated. Instead of sending data to the cloud for processing, Edge AI enables devices to analyse data locally. This setup reduces latency, lowers bandwidth use, enhances security, and conserves energy.

For example, sensors or smart health monitors collect data, which an on-device AI model analyses. The AI then triggers actions or alerts in real-time. This approach is vital for time-sensitive applications like healthcare monitoring, security systems, and autonomous devices.

Key Benefits of Edge AI

1. Real-Time Processing

By processing data locally, Edge AI delivers near-instant decisions. This is essential for real-time use cases such as facial recognition or voice assistants.

2. Enhanced Privacy and Security

Because Edge AI minimises cloud dependency, sensitive data stays on the device. This significantly reduces the risk of data breaches or unauthorised access.

3. Energy Efficiency

Edge AI conserves energy by reducing the need to transmit data to remote servers. Devices can perform tasks more efficiently and extend battery life.

Applications Across Industries

Smart Homes and Wearables

Edge AI powers devices like thermostats, voice assistants, and smart ovens. These products learn user behaviour, optimise energy use, and offer personalised experiences.

Healthcare Monitoring

Wearable health monitors use Edge AI to track vital signs and alert users or doctors to abnormal readings in real-time.

Industrial Automation

Factories use predictive maintenance powered by Edge AI to identify equipment failures before they happen, reducing downtime and repair costs.

Security Systems

Modern surveillance cameras use AI to detect unusual activity and trigger alerts instantly, reducing the need for constant human monitoring.

Overcoming the Challenges of Edge AI

Efficient and Low-Power Operation

The increasing number of sensors and devices demands greater processing power. Devices need high-performance CPUs and neural net accelerators. At the same time, they must be power-efficient to support battery-operated systems.

Edge devices consume less power when they analyse and store data locally instead of sending it to the cloud. This makes energy optimisation essential for long-term performance.

Strengthening Privacy and Security

While Edge AI enhances security by keeping data local, threats still exist. Devices can be tampered with, creating entry points for attackers. Therefore, strong embedded security measures must be in place to protect sensitive data.

Lack of Expertise and Tooling

Many developers struggle to build AI-enabled devices due to a lack of hardware or software expertise. Choosing the right architecture and toolchain can be time-consuming and complex.

Addressing These Challenges: The PSoC™ Edge Platform

Infineon Technologies has introduced PSoC™ Edge, a family of microcontrollers designed to tackle Edge AI challenges. These microcontrollers offer:

• High performance
• Low power consumption
• Advanced security
• A complete development ecosystem

PSoC™ Edge supports deep sleep modes, acoustic event detection, and gesture recognition. The system wakes up, completes a task, and returns to sleep, conserving energy without sacrificing responsiveness.

Security and Decarbonization

As AI devices become more widespread, protecting them from cyber threats becomes increasingly important. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in smart locks, thermostats, and other IoT devices. To counter this, PSoC™ Edge incorporates robust, scalable security features to prevent tampering and ensure data integrity.

Moreover, by reducing energy consumption, Edge AI contributes to decarbonization goals. Efficient local processing minimises the environmental impact of powering millions of connected devices.

The Role of Imagimob: Speeding Time to Market

Infineon recently acquired Imagimob, an edge AI platform provider. This acquisition allows Infineon to offer an end-to-end solution that streamlines the development of AI models for production.

PSoC™ Edge integrates with Imagimob’s Ready Models and ModusToolbox™ software, providing:

• A seamless design experience
• Extensive documentation and evaluation kits
• Hardware and software co-optimisation

This platform reduces uncertainty and accelerates the launch of new AI-enabled products.

Conclusion: A Smarter, Safer Future With Edge AI

The future of IoT lies in smarter, more efficient, and highly secure devices. Edge AI plays a crucial role by enabling fast, localised decision-making while conserving power and protecting user data.

With platforms like Infineon’s PSoC™ Edge, developers can overcome challenges related to performance, energy efficiency, and security. They can bring innovative, human-centred IoT solutions to market faster and more reliably.

#EdgeAI, #IoTInnovation, #SmartDevices, #AIatTheEdge, #EnergyEfficientTech, #InfineonPSoCEdge, #TechTrends2025,