The Smart Machine Era: The Rise of the Robot Overlords

The smart machine era will be the most disruptive in history. Medical treatment systems, the power grid, manufacturing lines, process control and transportation systems work today almost the same way they did 20 years ago. But in the next few years, engineers in every industry will find a way to leverage the amazing change in computing and networking power. And these new system designs must last decades. That feat will threaten everyone and everything that does not respond.

As a system designer, the challenge is to look beyond today’s experience and into a future dominated by intelligent distributed computing . . . the Robot Overlords.

In his latest eBook, Dr. Stan Schneider, CEO of Real-Time Innovations (RTI), one of Karbo Communications’ clients, discusses the stunning rise of fast computing and networking and the economic impact it will have on almost every industry. The smart machine era is here, and the implications could not be more profound.

Moore’s Law and the Smart Machine Era

Moore’s Law says that computers double in capability every 1.5 years. This rate shows few signs of flattening. Assuming it continues at a similar pace, computers in 2060 will be a mind-boggling 100 million times more powerful than the ones we use today.

At the same time, the last decade has seen a steady rise in pervasive device networking and artificial intelligence, two key technologies that make up the Internet of Things (IoT). There are already more devices online than there are people. Soon, there will be hundreds of devices used per person.

This transformation – the Industrial IoT – is a potential threat to any industry or company that fails to adapt. Already, engineers and product designers are finding ways to utilize smart, connected devices. Success will come down to a company’s ability to compete in this new reality.

The Rise of the Robot Overlords

Dr. Schneider’s eBook opens with a story that will resonate with parents everywhere.

A teenager brings home a less-than-stellar report card. His father, eager to motivate, asks him what he wants to do with his life. After glancing down at the family dog, sleeping contentedly on the floor, the teenager looks up and replies, “Dad, I want to be a pet of the robot overlords.”

The father is floored. Is this quick wit? A sudden lack of ambition? Or simply the recognition that people who use the current technology best enjoy the most success?

Dr. Schneider goes on to discuss some of the ways connected devices can already improve industries, from smart medical systems that reduce hospital error (the third-leading cause of death in the United States) to autonomous vehicles that will potentially eliminate the source of 94% of accidents.

The eBook includes a deep dive into:

  • Key architectures and applications of the Industrial IoT
  • Economic implications of the smart machine era
  • The theoretical basis for data-centric and device-centric system integration, scalable cloud-to-edge system design and security
  • Connectivity technology required for autonomous vehicles

It also includes a selection guide on what the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) defines as the most popular Industrial IoT connectivity technologies, helping companies identify the best technology for their application(s).

Download the eBook: The Rise of the Robot Overlords: Clarifying the Industrial IoT

About the Author

Dr. Stan Schneider is CEO at Real-Time Innovations (RTI). He was named a Top 10 Industrial IoT Influencer in 2017 by IoTOne, along with Jeff Immelt of GE, Elon Musk of Tesla and Bill McDermott of SAP.

Dr. Schneider serves as vice chair of the IIC Steering Consortium. He also chairs OpenFog’s “Fog World” keynote committee and serves on the advisory board for IoT Solutions World Congress.

Dr. Schneider has published more than 50 papers in both academic and industry press. He speaks widely at events and conferences on connected medical systems, intelligent transportation, smartgrid and the role of the DDS and other connectivity standards in the IIoT.

He holds a BS and MS from the University of Michigan and a PhD in Electric Engineering and Computer Science from Stanford University.

About Real-Time Innovations

Real-Time Innovations (RTI) is the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) connectivity company. The RTI Connext® databus is a software framework that shares information in real time, making applications work together as one, integrated system. It connects across field, fog and cloud. Its reliability, security, performance and scalability are proven in the most demanding industrial systems. Deployed systems include medical devices and imaging; wind, hydro and solar power; autonomous planes, trains and cars; traffic control; oil and gas; robotics, ships and defense.

RTI lives at the intersection of functional artificial intelligence and pervasive networkingSM.

RTI is the largest vendor of products based on the Object Management Group (OMG) Data Distribution Service™ (DDS) standard.

RTI is privately held and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.

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