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How AI may solve the energy problem for IoT sensors

by | Jan 4, 2021 | Internet of Things

Low-power and long battery life are common constraints we run up against when designing IoT systems and applications for our clients. We put our years of experience to work on each project to select the best IoT sensors, devices, and communication protocols to design a system that delivers on functionality while conserving power as much as possible. 

Recently, research has begun that is exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reduce the amount of energy IoT sensors consume, increasing the lifespan of their batteries. Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh are working on a system that uses energy harvested from the environment (from things such as humidity and waste heat) to power piggyback IoT sensors. These piggyback sensors are controlled by AI algorithms that tell the main IoT sensors of the system when to turn on and off—thus reducing battery drain and energy consumption. 

There are, of course, a number of challenges in getting the system to function optimally, but we are excited at the possibilities this can open for low-power IoT systems. We are even more excited to see this research happening in our hometown of Pittsburgh. Our team will certainly be following this work, and we encourage you to do the same. 

Software Design Solutions builds complicated software and hardware for embedded systems and IoT devices for a wide range of markets—industrial, medical, audio/visual, networking, security, consumer, and government. We are based in Pittsburgh, PA; SDS continues to serve clients across the nation for everything from sensors to space travel.

Software Design Solutions builds complicated software and hardware for embedded systems and IoT devices for a wide range of markets—industrial, medical, audio/visual, networking, security, consumer, and government. We are based in Pittsburgh, PA; SDS continues to serve clients across the nation for everything from sensors to space travel.