In autonomous cars, there are sensors and cameras which transmit the data to the data centre. Here the data is analysed and sent back to the car, and the appropriate decision is taken. Due to faster internet speeds this has become possible. Still, there are situations where instant decisions are needed. At times, there is no internet too. In such situations, we rely upon edge computing .

To make decisions, edge computing uses processors which are powerful enough to store the data and process it immediately by themselves. These can be used for specific applications such as voice, video and image processing. This is called edge computing. It also saves bandwidth. Here data does not travel through net. In image processing and facial recognition, you can save substantial bandwidth. The edge processor can later send the processed data to the data centre for further analytics.

Industry 4.0 can use edge computing. Here the enterprise operations are connected. There is intelligent decision-making in real time. In ITC plants camera inputs are analysed to exercise quality control over the products. It reduces the quantum of defective products. There are AI models in edge computing. Edge computing can be used in predictive maintenance.

It is expected that a major chunk of data in the next five years will be processed outside a traditional data centre or cloud.