Could Edge AI Keep America’s 2 Billion Frontline Workers Safe?
Edge AI technology is transforming workplace safety by offering predictive analytics, real-time hazard detection and sustainable solutions across industries.
- By Chris McReynolds
- Dec 05, 2024
In an era where convenience and immediate service have become the norm, the demand for rapid delivery and seamless transactions is higher than ever. To make that happen requires a complex network of warehouse and logistics workers, stretching from the factory floor to the final mile of delivery. But the relentless pace of consumer demands can be punishing for these warehouse and logistics workers, leading to fatigue and heightening the chances of accidents and injuries.
According to the National Security Council, U.S. employees had nearly 4,700 preventable work-related deaths and 4.53 million work-related injuries in 2022. And in 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a total of 2.6 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses.
Nobody should have to risk their life or health to earn a living. So when traditional safety rules and procedures fall short, artificial intelligence integrated with edge computing and networking (edge AI) has the potential to help close the gap. With data from increasingly sophisticated sensors and devices, industries can proactively solve problems, improve worker safety and maximize efficiency.
Edge AI in Worker Safety Is No Accident
As more companies advance into the Industry 5.0 era of the “connected worker,” the same data analytics that help companies manage production workflow and maintenance also will help companies improve worker safety. Edge AI will be able to provide workers with predictive analytics and real-time insights to proactively prevent hazards. By collecting and analyzing vast amounts of data from active sensors and past incidents, edge AI will help enable systems to predict and counteract potential hazards before accidents occur.
Edge AI can help improve worker safety across many industries. In manufacturing, for example, real-time monitoring and predictive analytics help companies manage people and inventories to minimize injuries from repetitive tasks. Edge AI—combined with cameras and computer vision—can track exposure to hazardous materials, identify unsafe worker movements and system malfunctions. Smart clothing and sensor-equipped protective gear, such as helmets and smart belts, monitor workers' physical conditions, detecting signs of fatigue, excessive strain or exposure to hazardous environments. This enables timely breaks and interventions to enhance safety. Together, these technologies enhance workplace safety, especially in high-stress environments like logistics warehouses during the holiday season, when the risk of accidents increases with the heightened demand.
Similarly, edge AI can support healthier work environments in airports by tracking air quality, temperature and noise levels in real time. Fire departments and other first responder organizations can take advantage of edge AI to monitor firefighters’ and first responders’ exposure to toxic gases, hazardous materials and dangerous heat.
Advancements in technologies such as digital twins and edge-enabled drones are also paving the way for improved worker safety across industries. Digital twins, when combined with industrial internet of things (IIoT), help manufacturers simulate their unique factories as part of facility planning, process planning and manufacturing execution phases. This allows them to confidently use the results to implement safety measures in the real world, without compromising on resources or performance. Edge-enabled drones capture data from various sensors and process it in real-time near or at the place of origin, offering a slew of benefits that optimize operational efficiencies and can quickly deploy help in agriculture, logistics, construction, public safety, and energy and utilities.
There’s More: Edge AI Can Support Sustainable Manufacturing Efforts
Edge AI has extended benefits to manufacturers seeking to maximize their investments given the intensity of their operations and the environmental pressure to manage power consumption and emissions. It is a valuable tool to enable real-time processing that optimizes resource consumption, reduces defects and improves logistics.
Enterprises can reduce industrial waste and maximize the longevity of assets and equipment by employing predictive maintenance to strategically service and replace components. Edge computing can also support applications of AI-powered computer vision to spot costly defects in the production line. This curbs the fabrication of defective components that end up in landfills and combustion facilities, which produce greenhouse gas emissions.
Additionally, it can enable data analysis from IoT devices in manufacturing plants. And by using dashboard visualization, companies can better understand their energy use and even adjust their facilities’ power draw in real time. Edge computing also supports industrial sustainability efforts through smart grid applications that optimize efficiency and enable rapid responses to shifting energy demands.
Creating Conditions for Success
Despite the rapid rise of AI, it is not likely to replace human judgment anytime soon. Rather it is freeing people up to do more strategic and less menial tasks. As we get more accustomed to AI and leverage the information that is now within our reach, it has the potential to make jobs more productive and enjoyable. For employees to embrace, rather than be averse, to new technologies and improve productivity, it is essential to invest in them by fostering a culture of empathy and innovation. Providing continuous learning to upskill, training and opportunities for involvement in AI projects allows workers to experience how AI can enhance their careers. Additionally, addressing employee concerns—particularly around job transitions related to AI—is crucial for building trust and ensuring the long-term adoption of this transformative technology.
When it comes to AI, the quality and security of data is as important as their quantity. Companies with technology deficits will need to modernize their IT estates to help ensure operational resiliency and scalability. Reliable connectivity is essential; advanced technology cannot perform effectively without a strong network. For large, remote work sites, private networks are often the best choice, offering wider coverage and enhanced security. Integration with existing logistics systems, such as inventory management and warehouse operations, is critical to avoid disruptions and risks and to maximize efficiency during busy periods like the holiday season. Smart integration with AI enhances processes rather than create new challenges. Work with a trusted, informed technology provider to navigate the IT modernization journey.
Today’s emerging technologies can deliver efficiency, predictive analytics and safety benefits. But they will depend on secure modern networks and investment in the workers to realize the full potential of these life-saving innovations.