Qualcomm makes some of the chips in your smartphone and it’s also the power behind many pairs of true wireless earbuds. Now the technology giant is moving into the AI sector with a new wireless networking platform that the company claims will transform how people experience networks thanks to edge AI integration.
Leveraging an AI co-processor with 40 TOPS of NPU processing power, the new platform uses the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology and any connected devices are empowered with powerful and centralized generative AI processing capabilities.
Qualcomm claims that the integration of computing power into networks could unlock opportunities for deploying innovative applications and services for security and surveillance, energy management and automation.
Edge AI can also enhance privacy by processing sensitive information on the gateway while enabling personalization impacted by an understanding of the network’s environment. For example, imagine if you could add AI to make every networked device in your home even smarter – without having to buy special AI-enabled cameras, vacuums, health management devices or speakers.
All of those devices connect to a Wi-Fi router and Qualcomm’s new Networking Pro A7 platform can turn a router into an AI hub for your home. On-device AI can enhance privacy by processing sensitive information locally, improving the personalization of the device by enabling it to learn contextualized understanding of its environment and with near real-time responses. Imagine cameras that include image recognition or smart energy systems that can react quickly but keep all private data where it belongs, at home.
The A7 also has AI-enhanced Wi-Fi 7 capabilities for supporting dozens of devices around the home with consistent high-speed connectivity. For Qualcomm, this new platform represents a leap into a new market with its on-device AI vision.
Qualcomm says this new approach to networking can unlock the power of advanced AI for more devices, even legacy ones that weren’t designed with AI. It will enable a more reliable and harmonized experience across a home’s connected devices.
“With the Networking Pro A7 Elite, we proudly launch the AI networking era, a continuation of our long focus on the most valuable applications and use cases for our customers and their users,” says Ganesh Swaminathan, Vice President and General Manager, Wireless Infrastructure and Networking, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
“The Networking Pro A7 Elite integrates key elements—from broadband to antenna—including 10G Fiber, 5G, Ethernet, RF-Front End modules, and filters into one integrated platform. This class of gateways and routers brings transformative AI processing capabilities to not only manage the modern demands of the most dynamic Wi-Fi 7 networks, but also give rise to a new generation of generative AI-powered services that can be more seamless, responsive, personalized, and privacy-rich.”
The new platform has been designed with developers and ecosystem partners in mind. It aims to accelerate market entry and foster the development of AI-enhanced applications through access to the Qualcomm AI Hub where developers can create new applications and experiences.
Qualcomm says this new development is a new era of AI networking for Wi-Fi routers, mesh systems, broadband gateways and access points, all fuelled by Qualcomm Networking Pro A7 Elite.
“Wi-Fi access points are the gateways to the internet and are at the heart of connected experiences within the home,” says Phil Solis, Research Director at IDC. “It is exciting to see Wi-Fi gateways, like the Qualcomm Networking Pro A7 Elite platform, evolving into AI edge platforms. This transformation bridges the gap between cloud AI and on-device AI, paving the way for a new stage of innovation in smart home devices, their user interfaces, integration, and applications. This evolution also opens new business models for service providers, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of home networking technology.”
The Qualcomm Networking Pro A7 Series is currently sampling and will be featured by Qualcomm Technologies at Network X in Paris from October 8-10, where Qualcomm will be showcasing its latest innovations in networking and connectivity, including Edge AI applications.
