Embedded computing kit for AI uses Sparse Modeling

With Sparse Modeling it is possible to create a new inspection model starting with 50 or even fewer images. This is significantly less than the 1,000 or more images required for traditional AI. The Sparse Modeling Kit, available from Hacarus, can be used stand-alone or as an add-on to existing inspection systems.

Primary customers are vision system providers and system integrators. Another group of users includes machine and system builders who want to use vision-based AI in their devices but have been reluctant to do so up to now, because the wide variety of individual customer installations requires algorithms to be adapted, which was previously too costly.

"With Sparse Modeling, developers are able to build next-generation inspection systems that can be trained for individual requirements and can therefore function anywhere. There is no longer a need for optimal conditions, such as constant lighting. OEMs also gain greater flexibility to adapt to changing production processes, which is essential for the move to industrial IoT/Industry 4.0 controlled batch size production," explained Christian Eder, Director of Marketing at congatec.

Essentially, Sparse Modeling is a data modelling approach that focuses on identifying unique characteristics. Simply put, Sparse Modeling interprets data similar to the human brain, instead of analysing every single hair and every millimetre of a person.

"Humans can recognise friends and family on the basis of key characteristics - such as eyes or ears. Sparse Modeling integrates a comparable logic into intelligent image processing systems. It is therefore not necessary to process the entire volume of big data - as is the case with conventional AI - but only a few select data. Algorithms based on Sparse Modeling reduce the data to these unique characteristics," said Hacarus CTO Takashi Someda, summarising the benefits of Sparse Modeling. This also makes for a much smaller AI footprint, which is ideal for fanless low-power systems that are in continuous 24/7 use and have only a limited power consumption margin to integrate AI.

The new starter kit based on congatec hardware and Hacarus software can instantly be deployed and tested in any GigE and USB 3.x environment. Designed on the basis of palm sized Computer-on-Modules, the system measures only 173x88x21.7mm. It is not only slim but also offers extraordinary performance thanks to the latest Intel Atom and Celeron processors (Codename Apollo Lake) that are all available for series production today.

Despite its small size, the system has a rich set of I/Os, enabling many different end user setups. Standard interfaces are two GbE application ready for GigE Vison, one USB3.0/2.0, four USB2.0 and one UART (RS-232). Extensions are possible with two Mini-PCIe with USIM socket, one mSATA socket and 16-bit programmable GPIO. The wide range DC voltage input is nine to 32V.