Ten AI Trends Revolutionising Consumer Electronics

The consumer electronics industry is constantly evolving and growing at a fast pace. It has seen a number of new products and developments in recent years, which has led to aggressive investment and innovation. Presented in this article is a roundup of the latest AI trends in the consumer electronics industry.

Sani Theo

What if your electrical home appliances become live— hear you, see you, feel your emotions and become more interactive? Some of these features have already been made available in artificial intelligence (AI)-based smart home appliances. Interactive and emotional toys, smart fridges, smart thermostats, voice assistants and others are now found in many homes.

Created by a Japanese company, mui is an interactive wood panel that serves as a smart home control hub.

There is no doubt that AI technology is already making a huge impact on our daily lives.

We have seen the capabilities and applications of AI in the manufacturing industry, in oceans and even in the air. Now, AI is gaining importance in consumer electronics as well. Traditional user interfaces in consumer devices are being replaced with abstract user-interfaces such as voice-based and gesture-based. This emerging technology has created not only many new jobs but has also changed consumer behaviour across the globe. Some experts say that instead of using cellphones, smart entertainment devices and smart home electrical appliances could be used more often with intelligent voice control in the future. While there are many ways that AI is changing our world, let us explore ten trends that are worth mentioning and that are revolutionising current consumer electronics.

1. Smart homes. The complete automated home is a new concept, but slowly the world is moving towards its true realisation. The Internet of Things (IoT) and AI are being integrated into many household products. Such AI-powered capabilities ensure convenience, comfort and affordability for users. In a smart home, intelligent devices can automatically get switched off or on, and be monitored in real time using smartphones.

2. Smart TVs. Internet-connected TVs have become a lot more smarter with AI technology. As per a recent report, the global smart TV market accounted for US$ 158.4 billion in 2018, and this number is expected to increase further in the years to come.

Next-generation intelligent smart TVs can connect to the Internet wirelessly, and access online streaming services.

AI-powered TVs can suggest movies, TV shows and Web series based on viewing habits of the customers. These have enabled browsing such social media applications as Instagram and Facebook, stream live videos and check emails, just like on smartphones. Future smart TVs will deliver even better quality pictures using less bandwidth.

3. Voice-enabled technology. We are witnessing the use of voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, in households across the globe. These AI-powered devices also have a presence in developing countries like India. Report says that voice-activated technology is a rapidly expanding market, with over 150 million Indians likely to use voice assistants by the end of 2019.

However, a huge country like India has vast language barriers. Ninety per cent of voice assistants currently available in India only support English. Hence, Indian startups such as Liv. ai, Vokal and Reverie Language Technologies are making strides to create AI technology for consumers in regional languages. This move could enable consumers in poorer, rural communities to benefit from voice-enabled technology.

4. Instant language translation. No language barriers anymore? Well, that is true with the latest AI-powered language translation devices. Such translators are becoming popular, especially among frequent travellers and students. Although, Google Translate app can be used as a language translator, it still falls short of some languages, especially Asian ones.

There are dedicated devices that are more efficient and powerful than Google Translate. For example, Muama Enence instant translator is one such device. It enables real-time two-way communication across the globe. It can also be used to learn foreign languages. All you need to do is press the button, speak and get the voice translation in an instant.

5. AI-driven education. Robots that play games to assist human beings are being used in schools. AI technology is being used to assist children with disabilities or encourage technical creativity. It might soon be a teacher’s new best friend. As compared to humans, AI is less likely to make content-based errors. It can access large amounts of data from the network and give correct answers. It can read faces of students and respond accordingly.

6. Smart security systems. Capabilities of traditional surveillance cameras can be enhanced using AI, the IoT and machine learning. Modern smart cameras can be trained to monitor specific locations, generate alerts and take real-time actions to safeguard user’s assets. Such systems can also provide facial recognition to control access, detect motion, detect sound and connect with smart home systems. Based on specific user preferences, the cameras can send personalised alerts for specific incidents.

7. Online shopping. This is a global trend that is shaping the behaviour of consumers. AI algorithms provide product recommendations based on assessments of individual buying patterns and product preferences, making the shopping experience more relevant, enjoyable and satisfying. There is a good presence of AI technology in apparel, fashion and athleisure. These products are designed to suit consumers’ individual features and needs.

Food and beverage companies can customise their packaging using digital printing technology.

8. Evolution of consumer behaviour and adaptation. AI has embarked on its journey of revolutionising consumer electronics. Consumers are trying to embrace the opportunities brought about by AI technology. However, consumer organisations can embrace AI only if they are ready to adapt. Technology companies are racing ahead of the curve in the fast-paced AI-driven world. Digital products and services are made as inclusive and affordable as these are innovative. Regulators and developers are required to create an environment where these emerging technologies are built with consumer safety, privacy and security in mind.

9. Data protection. Governments around the world are trying to enhance data protection regulations and put the right regulatory standards in place to protect consumers against data breaches. There is a need for robust data protection laws across the world. There are many countries that have data protection laws in place. Some are leading the way by converging their domestic laws to universally recognised standards. Others have laws in place, which are not as robust as they could be but provide a good starting ground for improvements.

10. Regulators and developers. AI is growing at a fast speed while at the same time there are a number of issues to be addressed, including the danger of killer robots, digital privacy for consumers and other ethical issues. There are regulatory bodies that monitor and control various AI developments to protect consumers. However, there are conflicting opinions as to whether AI should be governed by binding law, or whether certain areas can be left to a code of ethics and self-regulation. Certainly, consumer behaviour will depend on the regulations and developers.

Conclusion

Applications of AI in consumer electronics open up many growth avenues and opportunities. The IoT, AI and machine learning are being used in many consumer electronics. Thus, devices will soon become more autonomous and get better at assisting consumers in the future. As technology progresses, consumer electronics companies are racing to provide next-generation smart products that are powered by AI technology.

Companies that can offer real values and delightful experiences to users are likely to thrive. Affordable access to digital products and services would enable consumers to tap the true potential of AI in developing countries across the globe. And we as consumers will witness the real AI explosion in consumer electronics in the country

The IoT For Environmental Monitoring: Needs And Challenges In India

This article is based on a speech given by Poonam J. Prasad, senior scientist, Analytical Instrumental Division, CSIR - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, at IOTSHOW.IN 2019, held in Bengaluru. The institute’s Analytical Instrumental Division focuses on R&D on environmental sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT). Speaking on the use of the IoT for environmental monitoring, Prasad highlighted the need for IoT-based environmental sensors to conserve energy, water and other resources.

We need the Internet of Things (IoT) in environment monitoring to be able to conserve energy, water and other natural resources, which are being contaminated every second. In conventional environmental monitoring methods, samples are collected, analysed and analytical instrumentation is carried out on them.

There are two ways of doing this. One is manual, where the sample is collected and analysed in a lab. Second is instrumental, where the quantity of pollutants in the sample is analysed, on the go, automatically.

Instrumental methods have direct analytics, where readings and results are automatically received. Manual methods, on the other hand, need pretreating the sample before carrying out sedimentation, isolation and other processes on it.

When we talk about environmental monitoring using the IoT, we primarily focus on such areas as waste management, air pollution and extreme weather.

Why we need the IoT for environment monitoring

When we go deep into environment monitoring, it is a very complex system and, hence, we cannot just start using sensors for regulatory purposes. If we have data for water and air, then we can use AI and ML tools, among others. There are environmental sensors for measuring water quality, radiations and hazardous chemicals.

Similarly, in the industrial IoT (IIoT), we need methods for ensuring safety of workers, because some industries generate obnoxious gases like sulphur, methane and sulphur’s compounds, which are bad for human health. By getting data out of sensors, we can maintain a good safety record. Places that are inaccessible can also effectively utilise sensors.

Since 2012, research is happening all over the world on environmental sensors. Some reviews have already been done. People have done outdoor air-quality monitoring using a ZigBee-based wireless sensor network. However, indoor environment is generally more polluted than outdoor environment and, hence, the system developed for the outdoor environment may not suit indoor environment.

Researchers have developed an air-quality system that records particulate matter (PM). The system categorises PM into PM 10, PM 2.5 and PM 1. Once PM goes into the lungs, it leads to health issues. Standards are being implemented for PM 1, but more precisely PM 10 and PM 2.5 are being monitored.

Mobile sensing systems have been developed and proposed for recording PM 2.5 in cities. Some research papers have described low-cost, portable monitoring systems, which monitor multiple parameters such as humidity, PM 2.5, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), CO2, CO illuminance and sound levels.

Sensors are divided into two categories: electrochemical-based and metal-oxide-based. Companies use these sensors based on their requirements. Both types of sensors have advantages and disadvantages. But research is being done mostly on metal-oxide sensors to get more sound results for environmental monitoring.

Likewise, a micro sensor-based air quality monitoring system has been developed for real-time monitoring of airborne, fine particulates. It has already been tested.

Top sensors used in the environment

As the environment is heterogeneous, the system needs to be utilised well, because we cannot develop one protocol-based system and expect it to work in all situations. Therefore we need a multi-protocol system. Also, it is important to understand the interference of pollutants, because pollutants such as ozone, NO 2 or NOx particles have interference capability. Therefore the science behind this interference, how data is coming and what could be the reason for any deviation in data must be studied and understood. Only then can a sensor be well-characterised and developed.

Top sensors used in the environment are:

• Temperature sensors

• Proximity sensors

• Water quality sensors, which measure pH, BOD, COD and other microbial contaminants; these also measures ion parameters like arsenic, iron or other compounds

• Gas sensors, which detect air quality conditions

• Smoke sensors, which are required for industrial environmental conditions or smoke-prone places

US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has evaluated sensors using conventional methods so that these can be utilised for research purposes and IoT applications. Alphasense OPC N2 sensor is for PM 10 and PM 2.5 monitoring. This was tested through GRIMM, which is a certified handheld monitor. So far, these sensors have not been internationally certified. Essentially, these are not USEPA-certified sensors, but are USEPA-evaluated sensors. This is because the technology is new, and it keeps on evolving. Every six months there is a new version of these sensors.

AQMesh, CairClip and CitySense are gas phase sensors. These are being evaluated by USEPA, and are internationally-funded projects. The systems are being tested against standard instrumentation techniques.

A typical regulatory monitor is quite expensive, and is based on analytical methods (not sensor). It is highly-reliable, but stationary. Moreover, trained staff is required to operate it. One of its advantages is that it can operate for more than ten years. But it needs to be calibrated quarterly.

On the other hand, a typical low-cost monitor does not require too much training, but then it has a limited lifetime.

Challenges in deploying IoT-based sensors

The current technology is expensive, provides only a snapshot of data, requires expertise to use and takes time in lab analysis.

National Environmental Engineering Research Institute is developing a new technology that includes the IoT, and will be low-cost, easy to use and provide continuous data. However, such technology needs to have a QA/QC approval, and there is no common agency for approving these techniques.

Major research findings for sensors or systems have been in microprocessors. The system being developed at National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) includes a wide variety of low-cost components (varying from US$ 100 to US$ 300).

Also, if you are not a good integrator, you cannot integrate these components well. You also cannot use multiple sensors in a single board. However, if a balance can be maintained between power, cost and latency, the system can be used in the real environment.

Sensor characteristics include stability, detection limit, repeatability and reproducibility, and cost, while user requirements include measurement duration, data quality and budget.

A sensor’s lifetime is only two or three years. Sensitivity, stability and longevity of the sensor need to be improved for its operation.

The Indian government has defined air quality index (AQI). It uses one number, one colour, one description to judge air quality. From this, it can be known that PM 10 is the highest polluting among all pollutants.

Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has conducted its own case study by installing ten IoTbased sensors in Delhi. The findings say that low-cost sensors dominate the market and a few sensing elements exist. More research needs to be done on sensing elements. PM sensors are widely available as compared to gas phase sensors.

Two major challenges for sensor application are:

• Sensor performance values vary widely.

• Basic testing by manufacturers is lagging.

Since 2012, there has been a huge cost reduction. Reliability is there but more is required before getting to reality. Also, the cost involved in installation, maintenance and data analysis needs to be reduced. Going forward, we are looking towards seamless implementation, data quality and reliability.

The Necessity And Benefits Of Network Configuration And Change Management

As we forge ahead in a world with exploding growth in devices, network configuration and change management (NCCM) becomes crucial for ensuring uptime and integrity of networks.

Satish Kumar V

In today’s IT environment, organisations are expanding geographically at a great pace. This has resulted in an exponential increase in the size as well as complexity of networks. As these enterprise networks expanded, there followed a dramatic surge in new devices and new technologies in response to business demands. In this scenario, reducing network downtime and preventing performance degradation are major concerns for every IT manager.

A network administrator on a Reddit portal confessed that he erroneously cut a cable that led to over three billion dollars in losses on a stock exchange. As one can see, most outages are caused by manual human intervention, opaque processes and often the big elephant in the room—faulty change management practices. With eighty per cent of network downtime resulting from aforementioned issues, the need of the hour is to reshape how network change is managed through the use of stronger processes and automated tools.

Automate configuration and change management process

Every organisation dealing with multiple networks on their backend needs an automated tool or numerous software products for efficient management of their network configuration. This is where network configuration and change management (NCCM) software plays an important role. An NCCM tool is the best option for any organisation to tackle change while maintaining its networks and also updating the configuration of all components in that particular network— both hardware and software.

Latest NCCM products are helping reshape network change management as a more process-aligned discipline with a widening range of values. These include supporting service integrity and service performance, minimising downtime, optimising security and compliance, managing network assets more holistically and accomplishing what in the past were unachievable new levels of operational efficiency.

Monitor and manage change in all forms

If change is the only constant, then it’s a fact the network will go down, someday in the future for sure. When that happens, the only thing that will get it up and running without business casualty is complete visibility and robust change management processes backed by the right tools.

Usually, configuration information of a network is collected and kept in a database so that changes can be easily tracked. This allows identification and traceability of device configurations. NCCM tools allow changes made in the network to be documented and to be easily rolled back in times of crisis or network outage due to operational changes.

When a fault occurs, an audit trail is conducted, helping IT managers to easily identify the source of the problem and take necessary steps to solve it. Hence, NCCM can be defined as an assessment and remediation tool for automated network, security, compliance, auditing and configuration management.

NCCM: integrate now and reap the rewards in the long term

Organisations have indicated a dramatic ROI with the deployment of an NCCM tool in their processes. They have witnessed a remarkable improvement in network uptime, resulting in better service to the organisations and their customers. Also, more common outages due to performance and security issues, which results in misapplied configurations, have reduced significantly.

With strong adherence to change management processes and inclusion of automated tools, organisations can reduce change and configuration errors significantly. Similarly, time to assess the impact of change on the network can be reduced from hours to a few minutes.

From a specific industry vertical perspective, NCCM helps banks adhere to norms set out in the Reserve Bank of India circular on guidelines addressing the cyber security framework in banks. NCCM specifically fulfils points pertaining to network management and security spanning inventory of authorised devices, appropriate configuration and maintenance of network activity logs.

As we forge ahead in a world with exploding growth in devices, NCCM becomes crucial for ensuring uptime and integrity of networks. Decisionmaking becomes easier, policy compliance becomes a continuous process and auditing gets empowered. Change no longer has to be a fearful and disaster-prone exercise!