What is Artificial Intelligence of Things?
In this series of IoT articles on our website, I have lost count of the times I mentioned that when we combine IoT with some powerful artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, it is capable of high-level stuff. This is why I have dedicated an entire article to discussing the role of Artificial intelligence in IoT.
This article will cover various intersecting and fascinating topics like artificial intelligence, why we must use ML in IoT, a few benefits of using ML in IoT, and a few more miscellaneous issues. So sit down, pay attention, and quench your curiosity. I have already written another article discussing the role of Machine learning in IoT. So if you are interested, read that because more knowledge never hurts.
What is AI?
As humans, we all have intelligence – the process of thinking independently to achieve the desired task. Similarly, artificial intelligence is the intelligence demonstrated by machines. It is as simple as that! AI is natural intelligence performed by machines.
Of course, if we go deep, there is a lot more to understand, like neural networks, feedforward networks, backpropagation, and countless algorithms that make up numerous AI models and algorithms. However, we are trying to understand AI with respect to the Internet of Things. Therefore let us look at a more appropriate term: AIoT.
What is AIoT?
Well, Artificial Intelligence of Things combines the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial intelligence (AI). AIoT is used to create more efficient IoT operations. AIoT improves human-machine interactions and enhances data management and analytics.
While IoT deals with connecting devices with each other over the internet, AI, on the other hand, is focused on devices learning from their data and experience. Since IoT devices gather and use data, The collected data from physical devices through machine learning and artificial intelligence allows us to improve on those procedures.
How does AIoT work?
The working of AIoT might be intimidating. However, I shall try my best to explain it in simple terms. Hopefully, you know that AI is embedded into IoT components, such as programs and chipsets. If not, you know it now!
These components are connected using IoT networks as APIs ensure that all the hardware, software, and platform components can operate and communicate together without intervention or effort from the end user.
In an AIoT system, the IoT devices create and gather data, and the AI analyses it and gives insights to improve efficiencies and productivity by using machine learning. Notice how everything is interlinked?
Also, the data from IoT devices is processed as close as possible to these devices to minimize the bandwidth needed to move data while avoiding potential delays in data analysis. In short, AIoT can also be processed at the edge.
What are the Benefits of AIoT?
It is needless to say that AIoT has many advantages for businesses and consumers. They include proactive intervention, tailored experiences, and intelligent automation. Let us look at 5 of the most popular benefits of AIoT.
1. Operational Efficiency
When we combine artificial intelligence with IoT, it crunches continuous data streams and discovers patterns undetectable by traditional gauges. Moreover, combining Machine Learning with AI provides forecasts on operation circumstances and identifies parameters requiring changes to get optimal results.
2. Precision Cost
It is obvious that IoT can break down huge amounts of data that are sent and received using tools as the entire method is machine and software-driven. Moreover, it can be completed without human intervention, eliminating errors and improving accuracy rates.
3. Maintenance and Prediction Evaluation
Businesses are using IoT devices to notify of accidents or concerns, like equipment failure, without human intervention, as IoT and AI are the foundation of predictive maintenance. In addition, AIoT helps immensely in anticipating analysis, a type of analysis examining existing data and predicting potential future events depending on the findings.
4. Customer Service and Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction is the heart of every business. Today, companies are using AI by letting chatbots interact with customers. It enables huge amounts of customer data to give them a personalised experience on the basis of their preferences and to answer their questions correctly.
5. Scalability
AIoT models provide immense scalability as they compress a huge amount of data to a manageable size and allow many IoT devices to be connected. This is why most IoT systems involve low-cost sensors that generate massive amounts of data.
What are the Applications of AIoT?
There are countless examples of AI in IoT. Let us go through a few of the most common applications of AIoT.
1. Manufacturing Robots
If there is one industry that is rapidly embracing new technologies like AI and IoT, it is manufacturing. Robots that help in manufacturing are becoming smarter by using implanted sensors that facilitate data exchange. The primary reason for using robots is to save time and money.
2. Autonomous Vehicles
If there is one place where AI and ML are heavily used, it is autonomous vehicles. AI and ML help self-driving vehicles make numerous decisions to avoid crashing. One perfect example of this is Tesla.
Autonomous vehicles use AI and ML to predict pedestrian and car behaviour in various situations, like identifying road conditions, ideal speed, and weather. With more miles, these cars are becoming nothing but smarter.
3. Providing Analytics
AIoT systems have the capability to recommend dynamic staffing levels to shorten checkout times and boost cashier productivity, as many data points from cameras and sensors are used in retail analytics to track customers’ movements and forecast when they will arrive at the checkout line. This is how AIoT devices are used to provide better retail analytics.
4. Smart Thermostats
Before we conclude with the applications, let us look at one AIoT device rather than general applications of AIoT. One perfect example is Nest’s smart thermostat, which is based on the user’s temperature preferences and work schedules. The smartphone application can check and regulate the temperature from anywhere in the world.
What is the Future of AIoT?
We already know that the market for IoT devices is skyrocketing. Just like that, AIoT will also grow. AIoT aims to make judgments accurately without human intervention.
Speaking of the future, 5G will fuel AIoT as it enables the transfer of large data files in IoT devices with groundbreaking speed, with the help of its higher bandwidth and lower latency.
Summary
You have now learned about AI, AIoT, it’s working, the various benefits of AIoT, a few applications of AIoT, and its future.