Socionext with Foxconn and Network Optix introduces scalable Edge-AI solutions

Socionext Inc. has introduced new, intelligent, scalable edge-AI solutions developed in partnership with Foxconn Technology Group and Network Optix Inc.

Socionext has partnered closely with Foxconn, a global leader in smart manufacturer and Network Optix, a creator of innovative video management software (VMS) on the high-performance edge system.  The newly launched solutions are powered by a scalable, 24-core Arm Cortex-A53 SoC offering exceptional CPU performance, which provides excellent processing speed and power-savings. The new system is designed to support the most demanding edge computing, smart energy, Internet of Things (IoT), and real-time data processing applications. 

Socionext and Foxconn have collaborated on the development of Foxconn’s BOXiedge, a high-density, fan-less, and highly efficient edge server that measures a compact 200mm x 200mm (1U) and typically consumes only 30W of power.

The BOXiedge is ideal for industrial internet AI applications as it provides over 20TOPS in total with AI accelerating card that offers excellent performance in object classification.

It also supports the mainstream Caffe and TensorFlow AI development frameworks, so no additional learning time is required. In order to support additional computational off-loading of real-time applications, Foxconn will be pre-installing the Network Optix’s Witness VMS to the BOXiedge server for better optimization. Additionally, it provides immediate support for a broad range of IP cameras on the market.

Gene Liu, VP of Foxconn Technology Group, says, “Socionext has been a reliable and trusted technology partner in ASSP for many years and share the same vision with us at Foxconn of innovating the next-generation AI solutions. We are pleased to partner with Socionext again to integrate the “Nx Witness VMS” into Foxconn’s BOXiedge in order to deliver even greater value to HW-SW integrated ARM solutions, bringing a more powerful and cost-effective solution to the retail and manufacturing industry.”

The new edge computing system developed with Network Optix combines the ultra-fast processing capabilities of Arm-based CPU with Network Optix’s Nx Witness VMS that integrates seamlessly with other products ‘Powered-by-Nx’ built on the Nx Meta Video Development Platform for analyzing and enriching video data. It enables multiple video input processing in real-time and provides a powerful and intuitive user interface to view and manage multiple incoming IP video streams. The lightweight VMS can run on most hardware and leading server platforms.

This compact and efficient Edge AI server is ideal for real-time edge inference applications such as being able to recognize and filter video input using metadata to identify objects, people, commodities, human faces and even pathways. Potential applications include smart retail, smart manufacturing, surveillance, medical AI, and more.

Socionext is championing the use its leading-edge, scalable and power-efficient SoC solutions for meeting customers specific requirements and distinctive use cases with high-performance and AI computing systems and hardware devices to better differentiate their own unique products and services.

Socionext aims to continually expand its current ecosystem of partners and introduce solutions to help in the growing mobile, edge and cloud computing markets.