Azure Percept: Bringing AI to the Edge

Today, Microsoft unveiled Azure Percept, a novel platform integrating both hardware and software. This platform is designed to extend the reach of Microsoft’s Azure AI services to edge computing environments.

Azure Percept merges Microsoft’s established cloud tools – utilized for device management and AI model creation – with hardware solutions provided by Microsoft’s device partners.

Simplifying AI Implementation

The core objective is to significantly streamline the process for businesses of all sizes to develop and deploy AI solutions. These solutions can address needs such as object detection, anomaly detection, shelf analytics, and keyword spotting directly at the edge.

This is achieved by offering a complete, end-to-end solution that guides users from the initial stages of building AI models through to their deployment on compatible hardware.

Introducing the Hardware Development Kit

To initiate this endeavor, Microsoft is launching a hardware development kit featuring an intelligent camera specifically for vision-based applications – known as Azure Percept Vision.

This kit incorporates AI modules enabled at the hardware level for executing models locally, while also maintaining connectivity to the cloud. The kit’s design, conforming to the standard 80/20 T-slot framing architecture, allows for real-world proof-of-concept trials.

Expanding Capabilities with Azure Percept Audio

Alongside Percept Vision, Microsoft is also introducing Azure Percept Audio, catering to applications focused on audio processing.

Azure Percept devices, including Trust Platform Module, Azure Percept Vision and Azure Percept Audio. Image Credits: Microsoft

Roanne Sones, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s edge and platform group, explained, “We’ve started with the two most common AI workloads, vision and voice, sight and sound, and we’ve given out that blueprint so that manufacturers can take the basics of what we’ve started.”

She further added, “But they can envision it in any kind of responsible form factor to cover a pattern of the world.”

Integration with Azure Services

Customers utilizing Percept will benefit from access to Azure’s cognitive services and machine learning models. Furthermore, Percept devices will automatically establish a connection to Azure’s IoT hub.

Building an Ecosystem

Microsoft is collaborating with manufacturers of silicon and equipment to establish an ecosystem of “intelligent edge devices” that are certified for operation on the Azure Percept platform.

Over the coming months, Microsoft intends to certify devices from third parties for inclusion in this program. This will enable customers to seamlessly deploy their proofs-of-concept to any certified device.

Christa St. Pierre, a product manager in Microsoft’s Azure edge and platform group, stated, “Anybody who builds a prototype using one of our development kits, if they buy a certified device, they don’t have to do any additional work.”

Responsible AI and Security

St. Pierre also emphasized that all components of the platform will adhere to Microsoft’s responsible AI principles and undergo rigorous security testing.

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