The Era of Edge Computing
Greetings, dear readers! Yesterday, my watch mentioned I completed over 12,000 steps. It’s a smartwatch, and honestly, I can’t jog around the block without it. But here’s the twist: my steps were counted and analyzed not in some distant cloud but right on my wrist! This shift in data processing is called edge computing, and it’s not just happening on my wrist. It’s sweeping across the tech world, ushering us into its era.
What is Edge Computing?
You might be asking, “What’s edge computing?” Well, the simplest explanation is that edge computing is all about processing data where it’s created or consumed instead of sending it across long routes to data centres or clouds. This means quicker response times and less bandwidth use.1
Are We Really in the Era of Edge Computing?
The nod from businesses worldwide says it all. We’re not just entering the era of edge computing, we’re smack dab in the middle of it! Even my small-town coffee shop, Get Wired!, has jumped on the edge computing bandwagon with an Internet-of-Things (IoT) coffee pot that remembers my order, brews it to perfection, and collects payment — all without bogging down the main server.2
The Power of Edge Computing in Our Daily Lives
By shifting to edge computing, we are revolutionising industries. Take the healthcare system, for example. Today, wearables like my fitness tracker process health stats and alert users about anomalies right on the spot, making us fitter, healthier, and safer.3
To further illustrate, consider self-driving cars. It’s insane to think these vehicles process tons of data from cameras and sensors in real-time, making split-second decisions—all thanks to edge computing.4
Final Thoughts
The era of edge computing is here and now. From my trusty smartwatch to self-driving cars—edge computing is at the… well, edge of a technological revolution. But like with any change, it has its own challenges and opportunities. So join me as we discuss more about this fascinating theme in our upcoming writings! Can’t wait? Let me know in the comments below.
1. “Edge computing”, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edge_computing 2. “The Impact of Edge Computing on the Retail Industry”, IoT For All, https://www.iotforall.com/retail-industry-edge-computing 3. “7 Examples of How IoT is at the Edge of Its Seat”, Edgy, https://edgy.app/7-examples-of-how-iot-is-moving-to-the-edge 4. “How edge computing is transforming the role of the cloud”, IBM, https://www.ibm.com/blogs/journey-to-ai/2019/04/how-edge-computing-is-transforming-the-role-of-the-cloud/
