What Role Do Sensors Play in the Age of the IoT and AI?

Perhaps no electronics component is more linked with the IoT (Internet of Things) than sensors, which play a key role in monitoring events and providing key data for real-time decisions and analytics for future decisions. At next week’s Sensors Converge, taking place at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA from June 24 through 26, the latest in sensor technology and applications will be on display.

Sensors play an equally important role in fetching data for the growing number of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications, enabling more informed and reliable decision making. Sensors are becoming more accurate, reliable, and robust under a wider range of environmental extremes and shock, vibration, and other adverse conditions.

Here’s a random sampling of some interesting keynote and technical sessions at this year’s Sensors Converge.

Smart Buildings

In the kickoff session Tuesday, June 25^th at 9 am, several industry leaders will talk about the overall landscape in sensors in a roundtable session titled, “Exploring the Evolving Landscape of Sensors, Semiconductors, and the Electronics Industry.” The discussion will cover pivotal technologies shaping the semiconductor landscape, including the integration of AI and the rise of edge computing and quantum technologies, as well as explore market growth trajectories amidst evolving supply chain dynamics and diversification into new market sectors.

Related:Innovative Products Take the Honors at Sensors Converge

Later Tuesday morning at 11:30 am, a keynote session titled, “The AI Revolution in Smart Buildings,” will discuss how AI in real-time is used to fine-tune a building and thus multiply savings in energy, emissions, cost, water, and waste.

The important role of sensor technology in agriculture will be discussed in a Tuesday afternoon keynote, “One Chance Per Year: Why AgTech Innovation Matters to Every Person on the Planet.” This presentation will explore the use of sensor technology to address challenges farmers face in feeding a growing population and look ahead to future technologies that make the connected, autonomous farm a reality.

The evolution of gas sensors will be covered in a Tuesday afternoon conference session titled, “Edge-based Multi-gas Sensors.” Radislav Potyrailo, Principal Scientist at GE Vernova Advanced Research, will talk about a new generation of gas sensors capable of detecting multiple gases, rejecting interferents, and self-correcting for sensor drift.  

AI and Sensors

On Wednesday, June 26^th at 11 am, there will be a keynote session, “Industrial Generative AI for Sensor Intelligence.” Christopher Savole, CEO of Zapata AI, will take a deep dive into applications of generative AI involving real-time sensor data on the edge, using Zapata AI’s race strategy analytics work with Andretti Global as a case study.

Related:Hot Sensor Trends You Should Know

Sensor interoperability continues to challenge design engineers. On Wednesday afternoon, in a session titled, “Interoperability Testing Methods of Smart Sensors in IoT/IIoT/Smart City Applications,” Eugene Song, an engineer with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, will examine the issues of smart sensors communicating in smart city applications, looking at interoperability testing issues.

Another highlight of Sensors Converge is the Best of Sensors Award ceremony that honors the sensors industry's most significant products, individuals, and companies. This year’s event takes place Tuesday, June 25^th at 4 pm Tuesday.

 For more information on Sensors Converge, go here. Some highlights from last year’s Sensors Converge can be seen in the video below.