News / Press
Edge AI in Real-Time Applications:
Why the Decision is Made Directly in the Camera Today
Friedberg, 25th June 2025
Ditch the crowded cabinets and complex setups. Edge AI empowers your embedded vision devices to make smart, fast decisions right where they’re needed.
“Can this camera do that without the cloud?” – We at IMAGO Technologies are hearing this question more and more often. A production manager in the packaging industry faced precisely this problem: a new line for labeled containers was planned in record time, including complex inline quality control. But instead of a central industrial PC or even a cloud solution, he wanted a camera that could decide for itself. Directly. On-site. In milliseconds.
The requirements: detect broken seals, inspect labels, and automatically eject sorting errors. Without data congestion, without network problems, without IT overhead.
Our answer: Edge AI – intelligence at the sensor.
THE CHALLENGE: GROWING COMPLEXITY – SHRINKING DECISION TIMES:
Traditional machine vision systems are mostly based on rule-based algorithms that capture images, transfer them to a central industrial PC or even to the cloud, and evaluate them there. This model works but has clear limitations:
- Latency in data transmission
- High bandwidth requirements for high-resolution image data
- Dependency on external IT infrastructure
- Increasing costs with multi-camera systems
- Data privacy concerns when sensitive data is processed in the cloud
Especially in applications like inline sorting, label inspection, or seal breakage detection, milliseconds matter – any unnecessary delay compromises cycle time and quality.
EDGE AI AS THE SOLUTION: INTELLIGENCE AT THE POINT OF ACTION:
Edge AI brings image processing intelligence where it’s most needed: directly into the camera or into the edge device in the machine. Thanks to embedded computing units, deep learning models are executed locally.
The advantages:
- Data centers become obsolete – the camera decides itself
- Minimal latency – crucial for real-time response
- High scalability – as no central system gets overloaded
- Data efficiency – only relevant data and signals are forwarded
- Data sovereignty – critical images remain within the system
Edge AI is not just a trend – it’s an answer to real production requirements.
PRACTICAL EXAMPLE: ERROR DETECTION WITHOUT DETOURS:
In a current project from the packaging industry, the strength of Edge AI becomes clear:
- Goal: Detection of broken seals, incorrect labels, and sorting errors
- Technology: The smart Vision Cam AI.go camera inspects directly in the process – without an additional industrial PC
- Process: Image capture → Inference via Deep Learning model → I/O signal upon error → Ejection
- Special feature: The complete inspection process runs in a few milliseconds and without cloud connection
The result: Zero latency, no overhead, and maximum reliability in an easily integrable solution.
IMAGO PRODUCTS FOR EDGE AI IN PRACTICE:
🟧 Vision Cam AI.go
The easy entry into AI-based image processing – without extensive programming knowledge:
- Compact industrial camera with integrated Deep Learning functionality
- Ideal for, e.g., classification and anomaly detection directly at the sensor
- Intuitive operation thanks to the integrated AI.go Wizard
- Creation of own models – by capturing, labeling, and training
- Fast results – without an external PC or cloud
The Vision Cam AI.go makes Artificial Intelligence accessible to everyone in real-time applications – directly in the machine, without expert knowledge.
🟦 Vision Box AI
The powerful embedded vision system for AI-based image processing:
- Compact, fanless box with integrated NVIDIA Jetson Orin
- Developed for Machine Learning on the Edge
- Ideal for demanding inspection processes with multiple cameras
- Supports Linux
- Real-time communication via integrated RTCC (Real Time Communication Controller)
- Robust design for 24/7 industrial use
With the Vision Box AI, even complex Deep Learning models can be executed directly in the machine – without external computing systems or cloud connectivity.
EDGE AI CHANGES THE RULES – AND MAKES AI TANGIBLE:
Edge AI brings what industrial image processing has long needed: speed, proximity to the process, and independence. Instead of waiting for central infrastructure, systems decide for themselves – directly where the image is created.
This saves time, reduces complexity, and lowers costs. With IMAGO technologies like the Vision Cam AI.go or the Vision Box AI, OEMs and machine builders can realize AI applications without building up specialized knowledge or creating new infrastructure.
READY FOR EDGE AI IN YOUR FACILITY?
Our experts will be happy to advise you on the right solution for your application.
Press Contact
Anne Krug
Marketing / Communication
Telephone: +49 6031-684 26 11
marketing@imago-technologies.com