At CES, Qualcomm Technologies unveiled several advancements in artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and smart home ecosystems. These innovations enhance privacy protection, scalability, and user experience through methods such as edge computing, local AI solutions, and seamless interoperability among devices.
Qualcomm introduced its new Local AI Application Solution at CES, a hardware platform designed for enterprises to run generative AI and computer vision workloads locally. This solution enables businesses to process sensitive data on-site, offering significant advantages over cloud-based alternatives in terms of privacy, reduced latency, and cost savings.
The Local AI Application Solution is scalable, available both as a desktop unit and a wall-mounted hardware option, supporting applications like workflow automation and intelligent assistants. It allows SMBs, large enterprises, and industrial organizations to run customized and off-the-shelf AI applications locally, including generative workloads. Qualcomm claims that running AI inference locally can drastically reduce operational and total cost of ownership compared to renting third-party AI infrastructure.
This solution works in tandem with Qualcomm's AI Inference Suite, which includes tools and APIs for AI operations across industries. The suite supports natural language processing, image generation, and intelligent search, enabling enterprises to fine-tune AI applications to specific needs while maintaining control over proprietary data.
Among the first companies to support Qualcomm's Local AI Application Solution and AI Inference Suite are Aetina Corp., Honeywell International, and IBM.
Honeywell is collaborating with Qualcomm to design, evaluate, and deploy AI workflow automation use cases supported by the Local AI Application Solution and AI Inference Suite. Aetina Corp. has developed compact local AI devices equipped with scalable models, powered by wall outlets, featuring small language models, fine-tuned large language models, and multimodal models with up to 7 billion parameters, capable of real-time responses and advanced workflow automation.
IBM is working to deploy its watsonx platform and Granite series AI models on Qualcomm's local AI devices, supporting diverse enterprise and industrial applications in sectors such as automotive, retail, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
Qualcomm Aware also received significant upgrades at CES, introducing new features for IoT solutions across various industries. The platform now integrates observability, monitoring, and geolocation services, enabling businesses to track the health, status, and location of connected devices. By simplifying device management and adding cloud-based insights, Qualcomm Aware accelerates the development of intelligent IoT solutions tailored to specific industry needs.
A key feature of Qualcomm Aware is its ability to provide precise indoor positioning and real-time device monitoring, adding value to logistics, retail, energy, and robotics sectors. Pre-integrated with selected Qualcomm and third-party hardware, the platform helps businesses take preventive measures, optimize asset utilization, and ensure device longevity through automatic firmware updates and diagnostics.
In smart homes, Qualcomm's announcements at CES focused on how AI-driven edge intelligence can transform daily life. Central to this vision are innovative technologies such as AI chatbots integrated into household appliances, interactive multimedia solutions, and home service robots, all leveraging Qualcomm's advanced chipsets and edge AI capabilities to enhance convenience, security, and personalization.
According to Qualcomm's vision, AI chatbots embedded in various home appliances can engage in real-time conversations and use computer vision to perform tasks such as recipe recommendations, shopping list creation, and ingredient ordering. Unlike existing smart speakers like Amazon's Alexa, these chatbots can seamlessly interact across multiple devices, creating a coherent and intelligent home ecosystem.
Smart TVs have also been significantly upgraded with Qualcomm's interactive multimedia solution, featuring real-time language translation, personalized content recommendations, and AI controls. Televisions powered by Qualcomm's interactive multimedia become central hubs for entertainment and smart home management. Equipped with cameras and microphones, they extend their utility to remote education and telemedicine applications.
Finally, Qualcomm showcased a home service robot developed in collaboration with AI solution providers APLUX Holdings Corp. and Ti5 Technology Ltd. Combining Qualcomm's advanced AI chatbot technology with its robotics platform, the robot supports natural language processing and real-time interaction. With built-in cameras for machine vision, it can distinguish objects, recognize faces, and respond accurately to voice commands. For instance, it can differentiate between a water bottle and a soda can, showcasing flexibility in performing household chores.
Powered by Qualcomm's QCS8550 processor, the robot combines robust computing, sensing, and decision-making capabilities, enabling operation in complex environments. Whether assisting with daily chores, providing companionship, or enhancing home security, Qualcomm asserts that the home service robot represents the future of AI-driven robotics in smart homes.
