Microsoft unveils platform for running AI models on edge devices

Microsoft, at the Ignite 2021 conference, unveiled a range of new tools and services from the Azure cloud platform for developers, as well as products for business development.

The company представила a new software-hardware platform Azure Percept, through which developers can run AI models on [simple_tooltip content=’Одноплатные компьютеры, интеллектуальные видеокамеры и другие девайсы, которые могут обрабатывать данные непосредственно в местах их сбора. В облако или центр обработки данных предаются уже результаты анализа’]edge devices[/simple_tooltip].

This will enable low-powered devices to deploy machine-learning algorithms directly at the point of use, without connection to the cloud, for example — monitoring equipment health on a production line, analysing shelves in a supermarket, or object recognition.

The developer kit for Azure Percept Vision includes a small computer, an RGB camera with the Movidius Myrad X machine-learning accelerator from Intel. There is also a separate Azure Percept Audio audio system for voice applications. The company plans to expand the list of devices supported by Azure Percept in the near future.

Azure Percept Audio on the left, the Trusted Platform Module in the centre, and Azure Percept Vision. Source: Microsoft.

Also Microsoft opened access to semantic search in Azure Cognitive Search. The company said its service for building mobile and web applications allows developers to use the same capabilities as search engines, such as Bing, to provide contextual search within applications.

Semantic search in Azure Cognitive Search uses natural-language techniques, notably concept matching and synonym search, to improve relevance and ranking of results, and to deliver a more personalised search experience for users.

Microsoft updated Azure Arc services, enabling companies to deploy machine-learning algorithms on any Kubernetes cluster, whether in the cloud or on premises, and to manage applications and models from a single pane. According to the company, this will save time, enhance security, and satisfy regulatory requirements.

For organisations using Microsoft Teams, the company announced an AI-powered smart speaker for calls, which will go on sale later this year. It will be equipped with a set of seven microphones capable of identifying up to ten speakers in a Microsoft Teams room. The speaker will use AI to transcribe meetings, including voice-based speaker identification and attribution by name, in real time, and to save them in text form.

Microsoft emphasised that users will be able to disable attribution for privacy reasons at any time.

Microsoft Teams Intelligence Speaker. Source: Microsoft.

In July 2020, Microsoft and the blockchain platform Waves Enterprise signed a memorandum of cooperation to develop blockchain solutions and cloud technologies in the corporate segment of Russia.

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