The age of 5G has unlocked many new technological possibilities. As we enter the age of the Internet of Things (IoT) and driverless cars, the need for a new computing paradigm emerges to handle a large number of data points. Enter edge computing.
In this article, we’ll explore what edge computing is and how it differs from other computing paradigms. We will then move on to a specific application of edge computing, namely automotive edge computing, and how it will help shape future vehicle design and operation.
Edge Computing 101
Simply put, edge computing is a networking paradigm that brings computations to the periphery of data.
In edge computing, both the computations and data processing happen very close to where the system collects data. This computing is different from traditional server-based computing, where data is first stored in a central location, often a cloud server very far away.
Why Edge Computing?
Edge computing emerged due to the rapid growth of IoT-enabled devices in the past decade. By 2050, an estimated 24 billion devices will be interconnected as part of the global IoT.
Such explosive growth in the IoT meant a rapid increase in data collected by these devices. As a result, the old paradigm of storing data in a far-off, central location was no longer viable.
In edge computing, the computing system stores and computes data much closer to where it collects it.
What Is a Network Edge?
A network edge on an internet device refers to where the device’s local network connects to the internet.
There is no clear-cut definition of a network edge. For example, a network edge can refer to a personal computer or a network adapter inside an IoT device. But, it can also refer to a user’s Wifi router or Internet Service Provider (ISP).
If you’re confused, don’t worry – all you need to know is that a network edge is physically close to a computing device. Compare this to cloud servers, which can be thousands of miles away from the computing device.
How Is Edge Computing Different From Cloud Computing?
Although there are many similarities between edge computing and cloud computing, they are ultimately two different networking paradigms.
Cloud computing has centralized applications that run on the data cloud. On the other hand, edge computing has centralized applications running either on the network edge or the computing device itself.
Cloud computing also has greater latency; there is a delay in getting the data from the network edge to the cloud server. For this reason, edge computing is ideal for time-sensitive computations, whereas cloud computing is preferred where time is not a concern.
For a more detailed breakdown of edge computing versus cloud computing, check out this guide.
What Are Some Applications Of Edge Computing?
Some applications of edge computing include the following:
- Smart security system monitoring
- Medical monitoring devices
- Teleconferencing and video calls
- Driverless cars
- IoT-based applications (e.g. automatic home smart garden, smart water supply, etc.)
What all of these applications have in common is that they handle a vast number of data points. Furthermore, these data points require real-time processing.
Advantages Of Edge Computing
When compared to traditional computing paradigms, edge computing offers several advantages:
- Computations do not suffer from latency issues as the system processes data in real-time instead of first storing it in a central location.
- Server load decreases as the system processes data locally.
- It offers lower bandwidth costs from a reduced data load.
- The network is scalable with multiple devices that can collect a large number of data points.
The benefits may vary from application to application but are nonetheless generalizable for all applications of edge computing.
Now that you know what edge computing is and have seen some examples let us move on to automotive edge computing.
What is Automotive Edge Computing?
Automotive edge computing is a specific application of edge computing, where the computations occur in the context of automotive vehicles.
These computations are not just restricted to self-driving cars but vehicles in general; as more and more cars become connected to the internet, there is a greater need for edge computing to handle vehicle data in real-time.
The rise of 5G networks has slowly helped turn automotive edge computing from a vague possibility into a reality. As vehicle manufacturers add more and more ‘smart’ features to their cars, you can expect to see edge computing being used in such vehicles.
Benefits of Automotive Edge Computing
As is the case with traditional edge computing, edge computing in vehicles and automotive also offers numerous benefits, like:
- More environmentally-friendly vehicles; lower carbon emissions from fine-tuned fuel consumption
- Lesser costs due to greater fuel efficiency
- Better real-time data processing of the car’s variables (internal and ambient temperature, pressure, vehicle torque, load-capacity, etc.)
- Smoother traffic flow and navigation as vehicles go online
- Predictive maintenance of vehicles through real-time monitoring of the vehicle’s working condition
- Better overall driving experience and road safety for passengers
The list above is not exhaustive; there are various potential benefits of using edge computing in road vehicles that we have just yet begun to realize.
What’s Next?
Currently, automotive edge computing technology is still in its infancy. However, as more car manufacturers move towards self-driving cars and 5G-enabled road vehicles, expect to see a rise in edge computing applied on the road.
We’re still some ways away from the connected car of the future, which will require handling far greater amounts of data than possible today. However, the emergence of 5G technology will help make this a reality as network and computing capacity will expand.
Final Words
As more and more devices worldwide continue to go online, there will be a greater need to come up with new computing paradigms to handle massive amounts of data.
Edge computing is one such paradigm, which is better suited for local data processing in real-time than cloud computing.
Automotive edge computing is an application of edge computing specifically for road vehicles and will help them run cleaner, smoother, and more efficiently. Just remember that the car of the future will not fly but run on a networking edge instead!