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STMicroelectronics Unveils Edge AI Microcontroller: A Game Changer for IoT and Embedded Systems

AInvestTuesday, Dec 10, 2024 11:14 am ET
3min read


STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader, has recently introduced its comprehensive ecosystem offer for companies to transform their products with edge AI. The announcement of the ST Edge AI Suite, an integrated set of software tools free-to-use with ST hardware, takes the offer to customers one step further, enabling them to jumpstart the design and deployment of billions of connected, autonomous things embedding artificial intelligence locally. The ST Edge AI Suite will simplify the development of customers’ AI solutions exploiting ST’s broad range of hardware (general-purpose and automotive microcontrollers and microprocessors, smart sensors) and related tools for embedded AI optimizations. It will expand and integrate the multiple software tools, evaluation, and development kits introduced over the past 10 years, while leveraging the existing AI ecosystem of machine learning (ML) frameworks and key partners (such as Nvidia and AWS).

The ST Edge AI Suite brings together free tools, case studies, and resources to enable AI on microcontrollers, microprocessors, and smart sensors. Edge AI on STM32 microcontrollers and microprocessors STM32 edge AI solutions make devices smarter and more energy efficient, improving the user experience and opening the door to many new application possibilities. We offer user-friendly online tools and software that help embedded developers create, evaluate, and deploy machine learning algorithms on STM32 microcontrollers and microprocessors in a fast and cost-effective way.

Edge AI on sensors ST smart sensors embed a machine learning core or an advanced specialized digital signal processor (DSP) for edge AI, enabling context awareness in many applications, from industrial equipment to IoT devices. This allows sensors to process information and to share only meaningful data with the microcontroller. These smart sensors reduce power consumption at system level, further enhancing efficiency.

Edge AI in automotive applications Engineers can enhance safety, efficiency, and the overall driving experience, by using ourSPC5Studio.AIto convert, analyze, and deploy automotive neural network models onSPC5. The edge AI plugin tool for the latestStellar E microcontrollersis available upon request.

The ST Edge AI Suite is designed to empower embedded developers who want to create optimized machine learning models, data scientists who want to run their model on an embedded device, and product designers and creators who want to redefine product greatness. With free access, ST will enable customers large and small, pooling resources and knowledge into a community-driven approach. The Suite will further enable this transformation by federating the tools and their users around a broader edge AI community.

The first release of the ST Edge AI suite will be available in the first half of 2024. More information about the benefits of the adoption of edge AI Edge AI is a crucial technology for businesses to transform their products in today’s connected world by bringing intelligence and decision-making capabilities closer to the data source. This offers numerous benefits in terms of speed, power consumption, privacy, security, and cost-efficiency empowering businesses to create more intelligent, responsive and efficient products that meet the demands of today’s fast-paced and data-driven world.

Examples of businesses transforming their products with ST: 15-40% performance improvement for washing machines: A major home appliance maker is currently adopting this solution and we should see their product on the market next year. The first machine learning algorithm is creating a virtual sensor approach, estimating the weight of the clothes to be washed based on the motor current measurement. Another machine learning algorithm is collecting data from a 6-axis motion sensor to enable drum collision avoidance by calculating if the drum will touch the outer shell of the washing machine. Based on the algorithm input, a program drives the motor using exactly the current needed and adjusts the water and detergent used to save between 15 and 40% energy and water for a washing cycle. Both algorithms have been developed with NanoEdge AI and are running on an STM32G0 MCU together with an ST 6-axis motion sensor. Ultra low power PC activity monitoring: The HP engineering team worked closely with ST to develop and train AI models that recognize different user activities based on device and user motion. Multiple use cases were addressed, including scenarios where the laptop is placed on a table, on the user’s lap, or carried inside a bag and taken out. This helped create an AI model specific to HP devices that was put on a smart 6-axis motion sensor. But the really interesting part here is the power consumption. This sensor is running an edge AI algorithm at 34 microamps. This allows HP computers to detect changes and respond accordingly. And most importantly, conserve the battery power for more critical tasks. EV motor operation and maintenance optimization: ST is working with the HPE Group to optimize the operation and maintenance of motors in electric vehicles. The challenge here was to monitor the internal temperature of the motor and predict its failure. The solution was to use an ST smart sensor with an intelligent core that can process the data and send only the relevant information to the microcontroller. This allows the system to react quickly and efficiently to any potential issues, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

The ST Edge AI Suite is a comprehensive solution for companies looking to transform their products with edge AI. With its free tools, case studies, and resources, the Suite enables embedded developers, data scientists, and product designers to create, evaluate, and deploy optimized machine learning models on ST’s hardware. By bringing intelligence and decision-making capabilities closer to the data source, edge AI offers numerous benefits in terms of speed, power consumption, privacy, security, and cost-efficiency. The ST Edge AI Suite is designed to empower customers large and small, pooling resources and knowledge into a community-driven approach. With the first release scheduled for the first half of 2024, the ST Edge AI Suite is set to revolutionize the way businesses approach edge AI and transform their products in today’s connected world.
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