By Adam Armstrong | TechTarget

Unigen’s Cupcake

Unigen’s newly released turnkey server is also a contender for computer vision use cases, according to the vendor. Cupcake is designed to be low power, low latency and high performance, using an Intel Elkhart Lake 4-core Atom processor that is matched to AI modules from partners including Blaize, Hailo, Degirum and MemryX. The modules connect to the server through an E1.S interface.Cupcake can help conduct near real-time inferencing that can be used in security and safety use cases, such as shutting down manufacturing equipment that malfunctions, according to the vendor. While improving safety is important, specific uses have a limited return, according to Baron Fung, an analyst at Dell’Oro Group, an IT market research firm headquartered in Silicon Valley. A limited return wouldn’t prompt investment as much as broader use cases. “Users will need the same platform that can be utilized across different applications [of the technology] that are similar,” Fung said. Companies are looking for application options from vendors rather than developing their own, he said. But as the market matures, there will be more demand for edge AI devices such as Unigen’s.