Objective
The low latency requested by some industrial applications and the huge amount of data required by AI/ML collected by an increasing number of sensors are longing for solutions that elaborate the data close to where they are generated. Solutions elaborating the data in the sensors themselves are emerging for minimizing latency and decrease capacity needs (i.e., micro edge, such as intelligent sensors). These solutions request a comprehensive approach that spans from processor architectures to middleware to innovative AI applications minimizing costs and power consumption.
CLEVER proposes a series of innovations in hardware accelerators, design stack, and middleware software that revolutionize the ability of edge computing platforms to operate federatedly, leveraging sparse resources that are coordinated to create a powerful swarm of resources. CLEVER technologies will support the deep edge computing paradigm, moving computing services closer to the end user or the source of the data to reduce power consumption, reduce capacity requirements, and latency for mission critical applications. Furthermore, CLEVER will overcome traditional limitations of edge computing in terms of limited resource availability by providing an effective framework for seamless use of federated resources in the edge-cloud continuum. CLEVER will demonstrate processing solutions for AI at the edge through four use cases: (1) digital twin for in-factory optimization, (2) smart agriculture for high yield eco-farms, (3) fully automated material deployment, and (4) augmented reality for shopping sites. Through the achievement of its goals, the CLEVER project will help to position Europe at the forefront of the intelligent edge computing field, enabling growth across many sectors (manufacturing, agriculture, smart environments, augmented reality, and others). By lowering the barriers for utilising edge computing for artificial intelligence applications, CLEVER will open the door for European Industries and SMEs to leverage state of the art technologies, driving their development and growth as leaders in their sectors.
Impact
Indeed, CLEVER expected impact is multifold. From the scientific viewpoint, CLEVER will contribute to i) consolidate the knowledge in HW acceleration technologies, advancing state of art; ii) the adoption of RISC-V and power-efficient HW, iii) the development of middleware and AI-applications for new services exploiting the edge-cloud continuum iv) to sustain the presence of EU researchers in organize key events in leading conferences in the field; v) to sustain the development of young researchers’ careers with access to research infrastructures; vi) the further adoption of open access, good practices in research data management, a responsible use of AI/ML and systematic use of open and standard interfaces.
From the economic viewpoint CLEVER will contribute to i) further consolidate the European position in the industrial environment, ii) OpEx and CapEx savings; iii) the active exploitation of innovation in HW accelerated systems and services; iv) the Integration in system vendors and SMEs new products and solutions; v) tangible contributions to market growth.
From the societal viewpoint CLEVER will contribute to i) transfer skills, training, and knowledge management in HW acceleration, middleware, network softwarization, AI/ML; ii) increase support KDT KVIs; iii) contribute to fairness and digital inclusion; and UN Sustainable Development Goals (sustainable economic growth; resilient infrastructure), low carbon lifestyles; iv) to implement flexible platforms for services at competitive prices, and v) to enable new applications such as virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) or the Metaverse.