The two discussed the trends in embedded computing in robotics, including workload consolidation, which is helping people cut down the amount of design time, power, hardware cost, and space needed for engineers. They also discussed how embedded computing modules are aiding this - with very small form factors. The Congatec boards are as small as business cards in comparison to a laptop or PC.
When discussing functional safety in robotics and why it is important, Jerry stated that consolidation comes into play with safety since one can set up “safety islands” for “real time robotics” that are securely maintained. “Intel is coming up with many CPU SKU’s that will handle FUSA, so you can design your board and your system to have that certification where in the past it was quite an effort to go through a certification,” Jerry continued. He is in the process of developing these SKU’s, and the first product he thinks should be released within the next six months.
When asked “What’s the future of embedded computing?” Jerry replied, “Following a road map of CPU manufacturing, less power, more cores.”