Whether you’re managing stadiums, cities or global corporations, edge AI is critical to improve operational efficiency. That’s the message from people drawn from each of these fields who will share their experiences and aspirations in a panel at GTC. They’re using a type of AI called intelligent video analytics (IVA), powered by edge computing. IVA combines computer vision and deep learning to turn mountains of data into actionable insights.
Taking Edge AI on the Road
“Transportation is so ripe for this — the possibilities are endless,” said James Alberque, a tech
manager for the City of Raleigh, North Carolina, and one of the panelists.
For example, Raleigh, like many cities, hires consultants to stand at a few intersections every
so often and note the amount and direction of traffic. With IVA, it can gather traffic data on
dozens of intersections 24/7.
AI models can use that data to improve everything from plans for new roads to timing for traffic
lights during bad weather or a special event. Citizens could potentially get real-time feeds so
they can plan trips, know when the next bus is due or find out if there’s a free bike or scooter
at a nearby public corral.
Smarts Where You Need Them
Edge AI makes such insights possible because it collects and processes events where they happen.
This approach also minimizes the cost and delay of sending data to the cloud.
Royal Dutch Shell has been applying edge AI to autonomously inspect integrity issues in Shell
assets, detect and prevent safety incidents and check with robots the operational status of
equipment.
“We start with a proof of concept to assess technical feasibility. Once it’s successful, we
create a minimal viable product in operations, using historical and real-life data. We then hand
it over to the IT department to scale it up,” said Xin Wang, a GTC panelist and machine vision
manager.

AI Assists on Game Day
Gillette Stadium, the home of the New England Patriots, plans to use edge AI to manage thousands
of video streams for as many as 10 use cases.
For example, the system will send staff alerts when it detects security concerns, said panelist
Michael Israel, chief information officer for the Kraft Group, a conglomerate that operates the
65,000-seat stadium.
The group also runs a recycling business where edge AI analyzes bundles of cardboard the size of
small cars. Smart cameras identify seven different grades of cardboard so forklift operators can
load the proper mix of bales to the conveyor.
“The more we follow these methods the better we perform as a manufacturer,” said Israel.
The wide variety of use cases for edge AI is one reason we created NVIDIA Metropolis. It’s an
applications framework that acts as software scaffolding for IVA in industries including
healthcare, retail, manufacturing and more.
Placeholder text by NVIDIA · Content and Images by NVIDIA Blogs