The Challenge: Bringing AI Vision to the Industrial Edge
AI-powered vision is transforming industrial automation, smart cities, transportation, agriculture, and retail. These applications require intelligent image analysis to detect, classify, and respond to events as they happen.
However, processing high-resolution video streams at the edge requires significant computing resources. General-purpose processors often struggle to execute modern deep learning models efficiently, resulting in increased power consumption and limited AI performance. In addition, transmitting sensitive visual data to external systems for processing may introduce latency, increase bandwidth usage, and raise data privacy concerns.
To overcome these challenges, developers require a dedicated Edge AI platform that delivers high-performance vision processing, simplified hardware integration, and an efficient software ecosystem for AI deployment.
Why Hailo-8™ for Edge AI Vision?
Purpose-built for computer vision, the Hailo-8™ AI accelerator features a proprietary structure-defined dataflow architecture optimised for deep neural network inference. Combined with fully integrated on-chip memory and a comprehensive AI software ecosystem, it provides an efficient platform for deploying advanced AI vision applications across industrial and embedded systems.
Key Features
• Up to 26 TOPS AI Performance – Executes advanced deep learning models efficiently for real-time object detection, classification, segmentation, pose estimation and other vision AI workloads
• M.2 Key E 2230 Form Factor – Enables integration into compact embedded systems
• Fully Integrated On-Chip Memory – Without the need for external DRAM, reducing hardware complexity and minimising the impact of DRAM supply shortages
• Optimised for Edge AI – Delivers high AI performance with low power consumption, making it well suited for embedded vision systems
• AI Framework Support – Compatible with TensorFlow, ONNX, Keras, and PyTorch for AI model deployment
• Software Ecosystem – Supports HailoRT™, Hailo Dataflow Compiler, and Yocto Linux to simplify AI optimisation, deployment and runtime management
Hardware Advantages
The VEST SMTX i.MX95-H Edge AI Vision Kit combines the NXP i.MX95 processor with a dual-NPU architecture, delivering high-performance AI vision with versatile connectivity and flexible expansion.
Key Highlights
• Dual-NPU Architecture – Combines the NXP eIQ® Neutron NPU and Hailo-8™ AI accelerator for efficient AI processing
• High-Performance Processing – Six-core Arm® Cortex®-A55 processor with dedicated real-time subsystems for responsive edge computing
• Rich Multimedia – Arm® Mali™ GPU with simultaneous H.264/H.265 4K video encoding/decoding, integrated ISP, and dual-display support
• Connectivity – Dual GbE with TSN (25 W PoE) and 10 GbE networking
• Expansion Slot – M.2 Key M and Key B for NVMe storage, LTE/5G, and custom I/O
Image: Platform Highlights, Build for Edge AI Vision
Real-World Applications
The platform supports a wide range of AI vision applications across industrial and commercial environments.
Smart Surveillance and Video Analytics
AI vision analyses live video streams for object detection, people counting, intrusion detection, and activity monitoring. On-device AI inferencing enables faster response, reduced network bandwidth, and improved data privacy.
Industrial Automation (Industry 4.0)
High-speed vision systems inspect products on production lines, detecting defects, missing components, or assembly errors to improve quality control and manufacturing efficiency. Voice commands enable operators to control inspection workflows, while audio alerts provide immediate notification when defects are detected or system attention is required.
Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and service robots use onboard vision for navigation, obstacle detection, object recognition, and autonomous task execution. Voice commands simplify robot interaction, while audio feedback and notifications keep operators informed throughout autonomous operations.
Smart Agriculture
AI vision analyses images captured by drones, tractors, or field monitoring cameras to detect crop diseases, pest damage, and nutrient deficiencies. Real-time insights enable timely intervention, helping improve crop yield while reducing water, chemical, and labour costs.
Image: Applications
As AI vision continues to move closer to where data is generated, developers need platforms that balance performance, efficiency, and deployment flexibility. The VEST SMTX i.MX95-H Edge AI Vision Kit combines the processing capabilities of the NXP i.MX95 with the dedicated vision acceleration of the Hailo-8™ AI accelerator to deliver responsive, low-latency AI inferencing directly at the edge.
Whether deployed in manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, robotics, or smart city infrastructure, the platform provides a scalable foundation for next-generation AI vision applications, simplifying deployment across diverse environments.
Learn more about the VEST SMTX i.MX95-H Edge AI Vision Kit with Hailo-8™, visit our products or contact our sales team at sales@apc-vest.com.