Last week, NVIDIA announced the world’s smallest supercomputer, designed for artificial intelligence “at the edge.” This technology – the continued miniaturization of incredibly powerful computing systems – could transform the drone industry.

AI is a buzz word in the drone industry today. Software, hardware and sensor producers all claim to provide “AI-driven insights” or “AI-driven safety.” One of the examples where AI really has the potential to make an impact is in processing large data sets. Software can already make the first pass through hundreds or thousands of images and point out those that are of specific interest: when they can make not only the first pass but be so accurate that they don’t require a person to review and annotate, all of that aerial data could become even more useful.

Developing accurate AI models require a lot of data, time, and compute power: they’re generally developed far from the field using generic data sets (thousands of images of cell towers, for example). But not every cell tower (or bridge, or solar panel) looks the same – ideally, a drone could “learn” on the job, while flying over the site it needs to inspect, a process known as computing “on the edge.” That requires small, lightweight, powerful computers that can be placed on the drone or other device without shortening flight time or otherwise interfering with function: NVIDIA’s new offering makes this more possible.

The following is an NVIDIA press release.

NVIDIA Announces Jetson Xavier NX, World’s Smallest Supercomputer for AI at the Edge

Latest Addition to Jetson Product Family Brings Xavier Performance to Nano Form Factor for $399

SANTA CLARA, Calif.—Nov. 6, 2019—NVIDIA today introduced Jetson XavierTM NX, the world’s smallest, most powerful AI supercomputer for robotic and embedded computing devices at the edge.

With a compact form factor smaller than the size of a credit card, the energy-efficient Jetson Xavier NX module delivers server-class performance up to 21 TOPS for running modern AI workloads, and consumes as little as 10 watts of power.

Jetson Xavier NX opens the door for embedded edge computing devices that demand increased performance but are constrained by size, weight, power budgets or cost. These include small commercial robots, drones, intelligent high-resolution sensors for factory logistics and production lines, optical inspection, network video recorders, portable medical devices and other industrial IoT systems.

“AI has become the enabling technology for modern robotics and embedded devices that will transform industries,” said Deepu Talla, vice president and general manager of Edge Computing at NVIDIA. “Many of these devices, based on small form factors and lower power, were constrained from adding more AI features. Jetson Xavier NX lets our customers and partners dramatically increase AI capabilities without increasing the size or power consumption of the device.”