The Future of IoT Computing: AI, Edge Computing, and More

Only a few years ago, Internet of Things (IoT) computing was the future. It was a concept that was spoken about theoretically — just think what would be possible if we could deploy smart devices across an entire network, just imagine the possibilities for data collection, processing, and leveraging.

Nowadays, IoT is the present. We're already utilizing IoT-enabled devices across a wealth of different applications and industries, from manufacturing and construction to retail and healthcare. But that doesn't mean the time for thinking and imagining is over. Technology is always evolving and developing, which means we need to look forward to the next phase of IoT computing deployment.

AI computing and edge computing have big roles to play here, but this is just part of the story. Read on to learn more about what the future holds in store for IoT computing.

Data breeds opportunities, but it also provides us with more things to think about. How are we going to process all that data? How do we know what is relevant and what's not? How do we prioritize and structure data so we are able to get the best out of it?

This is why AI computing is going to be increasingly important. AI gives us the power to answer all these questions effectively without drowning in data. The number of IoT devices globally increased by 13% to 18.8 billion in 2024, so this need is growing more urgent. While IoT and AI computing are inherently different, we can expect an ever-closer relationship between the two concepts in the coming years.

The smart city — in which every aspect of our metropolises becomes intelligent and autonomous to a degree — is already a reality. IoT forms the bedrock on which this new city structure is built. Without powerful IoT-enabled devices, we simply cannot realize the full potential that the smart city represents for our society.

Components like the AIB-3588 ARM-based system are going to be instrumental in powering the smart city, delivering the data capture and processing functionality required to bring networks together.

The Internet of Things is a general term — it just refers to any components that are deployed in the field and hooked up to a broader network. This essentially means the sky is the limit in terms of which data points these sensors can process.

In the coming years, we can expect a wealth of new data to become available. Sensors that can detect barometric pressure changes, biometric data, magnetic fields, and other valuable information are already available, but they will become increasingly affordable and accessible. Slimline components like the EZX-EHLP embedded motherboard will become increasingly important, reducing the size and weight of deployed devices without sacrificing processing power.

Speaking of processing, where is that processing going to take place? Conventional wisdom says the answer is a centralized server — a highly capable structure that serves as the nerve center for a smart network. But this is not the most efficient way of doing things. Using a centralized system requires a lot of back-and-forth, as data is transmitted around the network, ready for processing and then utilization.

With edge computing, everything is much more streamlined. Units like the ACS10-TGU compact computing system are able to handle data processing right at the source, rather than relying on remote servers. This significantly reduces latency in data processing and decreases the energy and power associated with sending data to numerous points across the network. It also eliminates the risks of data in transit, making it easier to keep data safe and adhere to evolving regulatory requirements.

As networks become increasingly able to collect new types of data, the need to process this data becomes increasingly acute. System administrators and network developers need to make sure there is no wastage and no data is left on the table. Capturing data and not using it is wasteful and unsustainable — this goes for historical data that has already been captured too.

With this in mind, innovative algorithms will be used to make sure existing data stores are properly processed and leveraged. This means teams can get the full potential from the data they already have before deploying more expensive methods to build on that data.

Connectivity is becoming increasingly powerful around the world. By 2030, it is expected that 85% of the global population will be covered by a 5G network. This data excludes mainland China, where 5G coverage already exceeds the global average.

This represents both an opportunity and a challenge for IoT computing hardware developers. On the one hand, developers have extremely capable networks to work with. On the other, they need to make sure their solutions are getting the best out of this capability — utilizing components like the ACP-Q6490 ARM-based SBC with the processing power required to take advantage of this.

We've already touched on how data security regulations can evolve at any time. In fact, this is not so much a "can" as a "will." IoT computing technology is developing at a rapid speed, and regulatory frameworks are struggling to keep pace. This means changes can be abrupt and significant, which necessitates an agile approach to network building.

As well as data security regulations, sustainability regulation is developing and evolving too. These will be areas of priority in the coming years as network administrators seek to keep sensitive data safe from harm and also keep their carbon footprint and energy usage to an absolute minimum.

At Avalue, we offer a wide range of different products, covering IoT, AI, and edge computing, among many more. To find the products you need, take a look at our extensive range of components today, or reach out to our team if you have any questions or queries.