Empowering the Future of Edge Computing
Learn how edge computing powers everyday life with precision and speed
Discover the transformative potential of edge computing in everyday life. In this insightful piece by Vito Savino from OmniOn Power, explore how this technology is revolutionizing consumer experiences.
Businesses across multiple industries are turning to high performance edge computing to fulfill the demand for processing locally sourced digital data to drive precise, real-time decision-making. Technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning require powerful computing, typically housed in data centers or the cloud, to be brought to the edge.
Global enterprise and service provider spending on edge computing is on track to reach $208 billion this year (in 2023), according to research from IDC. That’s an increase of more than 13% from just a year ago, and the growth is forecasted to reach almost $317 billion by 2026.
Use cases have included autonomous vehicles, autonomous warehouses that use robots to complete tasks, and military applications such as targeting software on pilotless drones that rely on large amounts of sensor information. In healthcare, edge computing is being deployed to help make telehealth and robotic surgery in remote areas a reality.
Increasingly, edge computing is on track to emerge from the fringe to help power the data and speed requirements for many consumer applications. Some 19 industries, including financial services, transportation, and government, are exploring edge computing for applications like smart electricity grids, fleet management, public safety, emergency response, and automated preventive maintenance.
While the promise of edge computing for consumer applications is exciting, it’s far from becoming mainstream for many reasons, including safety issues, inadequate power infrastructure, and even political divisions from distrust in new technologies and government oversight. Let’s dive into some exciting ways that edge computing can be introduced into the mainstream and some of the power challenges that may hinder its expansion into everyday life.
The Power Considerations to Make Edge Mainstream
As consumers demand higher performance from AI-powered applications like ChatGPT, as well as interactive entertainment and e-commerce experiences that require vast amounts of reliable power and data integrity (not to mention safety), the heat is on for providers to find ways to bring edge data centers closer to the consumers that rely on them.
Consumer AI-driven apps that require speed and fast feedback will help drive mainstream edge computing adoption in the future. Think of the potential applications embedded in consumer devices and vehicles, ranging from instant banking transactions to multiplayer gaming and real-time sports betting. Augmented reality in interactive social media experiences, where the real world meets computer-generated sounds and visual elements, will require tons of computing and infrastructure like radio transmitters, towers, and backup battery power to make it all reliable. The NBA earlier this year, for example, tested new augmented reality (AR) fan experiences using 5G technology, allowing game spectators to take 360-degree body scans on their smartphones during live games and “insert” their avatar onto an image of a live player, making it look like they were the ones dribbling in for a layup.
Phones and other consumer devices only have so much power, and many consumers complain of slow applications or limited battery life. At the same time, their users demand miniaturization and mobility. As devices get smaller yet process more data more quickly, the need will grow for batteries that can handle increased power density. Larger batteries make for more cumbersome devices, however, and consumers will continue to demand devices that can produce higher performance in a smaller package. More robust backup sources, such as supercapacitors, will need to be invented and utilized to store energy to be used later.
To make these futuristic applications a reality, edge data centers must be installed in neighborhoods, housing developments, and outside entertainment venues to handle the immense data needs. That won’t be an easy sell for data center developers, as they prefer locations close to water sources or in larger, nondescript buildings like warehouses with climate-controlled environments that are easier to maintain and keep secure from weather, wildlife, vandalism, and theft.
Barriers to Adoption for Mainstream Edge
High-performance edge data centers and their associated power systems can also generate a lot of heat, which must be dissipated to avoid damaging components and sacrificing efficiency. Data center designs in small huts and buildings will eschew space in favor of highly efficient power designs with features like rectifiers that can accurately and efficiently control voltage output while maintaining reliability in extreme conditions.
Power sources may be sporadic or subject to surges of varying voltages in places where edge data centers are introduced, so power needs to be efficiently processed and converted from the grid to the end use. In addition, reliable and redundant backup power requirements are essential, especially in places where power grid reliability is unstable. An edge data center’s power system must quickly switch to battery backup power in the event of a power outage while still maintaining system integrity in any conditions.
Power outages and potential tampering will raise performance and safety issues. If power goes out at home, consumers risk losing the internet for short periods. If an edge data center in a neighborhood goes offline, it could cause autonomous vehicles to lose access to real-time sensor data that could proactively reroute a vehicle based on updated traffic data or avoid a collision. Someone conducting a sensitive bank transaction could suddenly and irreversibly lose crucial financial data—and the money that goes with it.
Another barrier is the slow adoption of 5G networks, which promise greater bandwidth and lower latency. While these networks – and the applications they enable – will drive the need for increased edge data centers, widespread deployments have been slower than initially anticipated. Some places have embraced the technology, while others in more rural areas have not yet been able to justify the cost of deploying and maintaining the infrastructure required. The U.S. government, however, passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), which provides $400 billion in subsidies for clean energy funding, and it’s so far unclear if that will help offset investment costs.
See More: Edge Computing in the Modern IT Landscape: A Future Outlook
Mainstream Edge Computing Will Require Investment, Collaboration
The success of edge computing as a mainstream technology will largely depend on two things: the ability to sell it to the public and the willingness of local governments to invest in the infrastructure to make it work. Building out data centers, transmission systems, backup power alternatives, and hiring technicians to fix it all can be an expensive initial investment, and citizens will not want their taxes to increase based on a technology they don’t understand. That might change if the public can be shown how edge computing can save them time and money. Imagine the selling points inherent in saving two hours a day in commuting time that allows them to focus on other tasks rather than driving a vehicle.
Real estate developers may consider building edge data centers into new subdivisions instead of installing them in yards or public spaces where they are less aesthetically tolerable. Demo neighborhoods can be built so prospective buyers can see it in action before they buy.
Lastly, government investment will need to increase. Incentive money from the IRA is available for telecommunications companies looking to invest in the edge. Still, governments, in return, may want access to data and performance information, and that may not sit well with some people.
The day is coming when edge data centers will be used to power not only high-stakes, complicated equipment in niche industries but also in everyday consumer applications that require constant, reliable connections. To make that a reality, governments, service providers, and companies will need to work together with partners that can provide equipment that can empower such technologies.
How can edge computing redefine your daily tasks? Why is collaboration vital for mainstreaming edge technology? Let us know on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. We’d love to hear from you!
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