Edge AI
Edge AI
What is Edge AI?
Edge AI refers to the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) models directly on edge devices, such as cameras, sensors, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Instead of sending data all the way to a cloud server for processing, Edge AI analyzes information right where it’s collected.
Also known as “AI on the edge”, it blends the capabilities of edge computing and AI to carry forward machine learning tasks straight on the interconnected edge devices.
How Does Edge AI Work in Industrial Safety?
Edge AI operates by embedding AI models into edge computing devices, enabling real-time data processing.
With edge computing, data is stored closer to the device, and AI algorithms process it within the same network, eliminating the need for an internet connection.
Here’s how it works:
● Data Collection: Sensors, cameras, or IoT devices capture raw data (e.g., video & audio feeds, environmental readings, or worker activity).
● On-Device Processing: Instead of transmitting the data to a cloud server, the edge device processes it locally using AI models. Using neural networks and deep learning, the AI models are trained to accurately process the gathered data.
● Instant Decision-Making: Based on AI analysis, immediate actions are taken—such as triggering alerts for unsafe behaviors or controlling automated systems.
● Selective Cloud Syncing: Only critical insights (like detected anomalies) are sent to the cloud for storage or further analysis, reducing data transmission costs.
What are the benefits of deploying viAct’s Edge AI in Workplace Safety?
Edge AI technology directly addresses workplace safety challenges by providing real-time monitoring and automated enforcement.
Key benefits include:
● Real-time hazard detection – By processing data directly at the source, Edge AI enables immediate identification of workplace risks such as PPE violations, unsafe behavior, and hazardous conditions, allowing for proactive intervention.
● Operates without internet or electricity dependency – Unlike cloud-based AI, Edge AI functions independently of electricity and internet connectivity, making it highly effective for remote construction sites, manufacturing plants, and offshore facilities where network access may be limited.
● Enhanced emergency response – With on-device processing, Edge AI can instantly detect incidents such as falls, fires, or equipment malfunctions, triggering immediate alerts to safety personnel and minimizing response times.
● Optimized bandwidth and cost efficiency – By handling data locally, Edge AI reduces reliance on cloud computing, lowering bandwidth consumption and cutting down operational expenses associated with data transmission and storage.
● Improved data privacy and compliance – Since data is processed and stored on-site, Edge AI helps organizations maintain stricter control over sensitive information, ensuring compliance with workplace safety regulations and data protection laws.
How can Edge AI Transform Confined Space Monitoring?
Confined spaces, such as tunnels, storage tanks, and underground facilities, pose significant safety risks due to limited airflow, restricted access, and potential exposure to hazardous gases.
Traditional monitoring methods rely on periodic checks, which may fail to detect sudden threats in real time.
This is where viAct’s Edge AI revolutionizes confined space safety.
● Real-Time Monitoring Without Delays – Edge AI processes data directly on-site, enabling immediate detection of oxygen depletion, toxic gas leaks, or abnormal worker behavior without waiting for cloud-based analysis.
● Worker Tracking and Unauthorized Access Alerts – AI-powered computer vision and sensor-based tracking provide automated worker counting ensuring overtime in risky areas and allowing only authorized personnel to enter confined spaces.
● Automated Emergency Response – In the event of a flowing liquid or solid detection, electric or machinery defaults, or risky atmospheric conditions, Edge AI can trigger instant alerts, activating ventilation systems and notifying rescue teams without manual intervention.
● Improved Compliance and Risk Assessment – By continuously collecting and analyzing safety data, Edge AI helps safety officers ensure compliance with occupational safety regulations, providing insights to prevent future hazards.
The Future of Edge AI
Edge AI is on a fast track to becoming an essential part of industrial safety and efficiency. Future advancements will make Edge AI systems even more autonomous, adaptive, and scalable, allowing industries to minimize risks while optimizing productivity.
One key innovation shaping the future is mobile Edge AI, where AI-driven surveillance is no longer limited to fixed cameras and sensors. Solutions like viMOV, a plug-and-play AI monitoring system, are making it easier to deploy intelligent surveillance anywhere—whether it’s a remote construction site, an offshore oil rig, or a high-risk confined space.
With the ability to connect seamlessly to existing systems, mobile Edge AI solutions will redefine how industries monitor their worksites.
With its ability to process data instantly on-site and work even in low-connectivity zones, Edge AI is paving the way for a future where workplace safety is no longer reactive but proactively managed with AI-powered intelligence.
Article by
Dr. Dorothy Dutta
Marketing Strategist
Dr. Dorothy Dutta serves as the Marketing Strategist at viAct, where her passion for research drives her mission to highlight the pivotal role of AI in advancing safety solutions. She is dedicated to translating complex concepts into compelling narratives that showcase technology’s impact on real-world practices. Outside of work, Dorothy enjoys unwinding with fiction, exploring diverse stories that spark her imagination and curiosity.