Elevators that respond to voice commands, cameras that notify store managers when to restock shelves and video streams that keep tabs on everything from cash register lines to parking space availability.
These are a few of the millions of scenarios becoming possible thanks to a combination of artificial intelligence and computing on the edge. Standalone edge devices can take advantage of AI tools for things like translating text or recognizing images without having to constantly access cloud computing capabilities, according to John Roach, Executive Architect, Digital Transformation Services, Microsoft.
At its Ignite digital conference, Microsoft unveiled the public preview of Azure Percept, a platform of hardware and services that aims to simplify the ways in which customers can use Azure AI technologies on the edge – including taking advantage of Azure cloud offerings such as device management, AI model development and analytics.
Full stack means fully locked in – oh shoot, did we say that out loud?
Katyanna Quach Tue 2 Mar 2021 // 23:29 UTC Share
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Ignite Microsoft on Tuesday launched Azure Percept – a full stack of technologies to run AI code at the network edge – during its annual Ignite conference.
The materials are aimed at organizations deploying, or consider deploying, machine-learning software on network-connected embedded devices and equipment in remote locations. Said systems are expected to employ a level of intelligence to make decisions wherever they are, rather than completely rely on backend services.
For example, cameras that selectively record when they detect certain objects, situations, or people, and sensors that adjust machinery and report back summaries rather transmit every single reading and await instructions. Y know, stuff that s possible without AI but could be enhanced and made more efficient with a trained neural network.
Microsoft debuts its edge AI service Azure Percept at Ignite
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Microsoft Corp. is stepping up its artificial intelligence capabilities within its Azure Cloud platform with the launch of a new service called Azure Percept that’s designed to enable a wealth of new AI capabilities for devices at the network edge.
Announced today at the virtual Microsoft Ignite event, Azure Percept is designed to enable futuristic scenarios that can be made possible now by combining AI with computing at the network edge. They include elevators that can respond to voice commands and video cameras that can notify store managers when a particular product needs restocking.
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Microsoft still loves smart devices, rolling out Azure Percept camera, mic and services
Cortana-based smart speakers are out, but AI-driven hardware is in Credit: Microsoft
Microsoft may have given up on smart speakers for the consumer, but the technology giant hasn’t given up on letting others build intelligent devices based on its own technologies and hardware.
On Tuesday, Redmond launched Azure Percept, a platform of hardware and services that’s built around Microsoft-designed hardware and Microsoft’s Azure artificial intelligence (AI) platform. They re part of what s known as “edge computing,” intelligent devices that can process data on their own but are best when combined with the cloud.
AI appliances and improved connectivity for IoT on March 2, 2021, 11:43
The big picture: If ever there was a technology that failed to live up to its initial hype, the Internet of Things (IoT) would have to be it. After more than a decade of unfulfilled pledges that promised how companies, cities and institutions were going to connect office lighting systems, 30-year-old manufacturing equipment, parking spaces and, well, everything to the Internet, there’s not much to show for the collective efforts.
If there s a real chance of changing the current state of IoT, Microsoft debuted an impressive host of IoT-related technologies at this year’s Ignite conference that show what s the path forward, including a family of Arm-powered intelligent sensor appliances. In addition, the company announced the general availability a number of critical, but previously overlooked capabilities that arguably forced them to move a few steps backward before they could move eve