# #004: The Future of Edge AI and What it Means for Device Makers

- Show: [Coredump Sessions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions)
- Published: 2025-02-25
- Length: 58m
- Episode: 5
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2025-02-25-004-the-future-of-edge-ai-and-what-it-means-for-device-makers
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/memfault/episodes/004-The-Future-of-Edge-AI-and-What-it-Means-for-Device-Makers-e3196qs

## Summary

Alex Samuelson, CTO and co-founder of Imagimob, joins Memfault founders Francois Baldassari and Chris Coleman to discuss the practical implementation of Edge AI on embedded devices. They highlight how hardware accelerators like the Cortex-M55 and U55 have enabled GPU-like performance on microcontrollers, allowing for real-time inference in applications such as welding quality monitoring and fall detection. The conversation emphasizes that data collection, labeling, and memory constraints are the primary bottlenecks, requiring device makers to build data acquisition firmware early in the development process. Finally, they discuss the shift toward 'AI as a Service' business models, where hardware companies generate recurring revenue by updating models over the device's lifecycle.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2025-02-25-004-the-future-of-edge-ai-and-what-it-means-for-device-makers#t=1) Introduction: Edge AI Definition and Value Proposition
- [6:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2025-02-25-004-the-future-of-edge-ai-and-what-it-means-for-device-makers#t=402) Hardware Leap: Cortex-M55, U55, and Performance Gains
- [14:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2025-02-25-004-the-future-of-edge-ai-and-what-it-means-for-device-makers#t=889) Real-World Use Cases: Welding, Fall Detection, and Wearables
- [17:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2025-02-25-004-the-future-of-edge-ai-and-what-it-means-for-device-makers#t=1065) Spec’ing Hardware: Memory, Flash, and Sensor Selection
- [24:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2025-02-25-004-the-future-of-edge-ai-and-what-it-means-for-device-makers#t=1450) Firmware and Inference Frameworks: TinyML and Runtime
- [26:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2025-02-25-004-the-future-of-edge-ai-and-what-it-means-for-device-makers#t=1567) The Data Bottleneck: Collection, Labeling, and Ground Truth
- [34:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2025-02-25-004-the-future-of-edge-ai-and-what-it-means-for-device-makers#t=2060) Future Adoption: Consumer vs. Regulated Industries
- [40:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2025-02-25-004-the-future-of-edge-ai-and-what-it-means-for-device-makers#t=2438) Business Model Shifts: AI as a Service and Subscriptions

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Memfault (company)
- Imagimob (company)
- Infineon (company)
- Cortex-M55 (chip)
- Cortex-M4 (chip)
- Cortex-M33 (chip)
- Pebble (company)
- Apple Watch (product)
- TensorFlow Lite Micro (tool)
- Deep Craft Studio (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [AI at the Edge – Myth or Reality](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2022-11-11-ai-at-the-edge-myth-or-reality) (EE Times Current)
- [Embedded World 2023 Recap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-03-18-embedded-world-2023-recap) (EE Times Current)
- [AI inferencing, Software Ecosystems and Trends in Industrial Automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2024-05-09-ai-inferencing-software-ecosystems-and-trends-in-industrial-automation) (EE Times Current)
- [AI and Connectivity at the Edge and Endpoint](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-10-19-ai-and-connectivity-at-the-edge-and-endpoint) (EE Times Current)
- [AI at the Edge: Justin Schneck on the Future of Embedded Devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-05-29-ai-at-the-edge-justin-schneck-on-the-future-of-embedded-devices) (Over the Air)

## Citing this page

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