Can industrial machines run more AI without sending data to the cloud? A compact computing platform combines three processing engines for local inference.
IBASE Technology has introduced the IB966, a 3.5-inch single board computer that combines CPU, GPU, and NPU acceleration to deliver up to 180 TOPS of AI performance for real-time processing at the edge.
Processing AI workloads close to where data is generated can reduce latency and the need to transfer large volumes of information to cloud systems. This can be particularly useful for machine vision, industrial automation, and other applications where decisions need to be made quickly.
The IB966 uses a heterogeneous computing architecture to distribute workloads across its CPU, GPU, and NPU. General-purpose processing can run on the CPU, graphics-intensive workloads can use the GPU, while AI inference can be accelerated through the NPU. This allows the platform to handle different workloads without relying on a single processing engine.
The board is powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, with options including the Core Ultra X7 358H, Core Ultra 7 356H, and Core Ultra 7 355. Two DDR5-7200 SO-DIMM slots support up to 128GB of memory, providing capacity for data-intensive applications and multitasking at the edge.
Its compact form factor does not limit system connectivity. The IB966 provides dual 2.5GbE ports, USB 3.2 and USB 2.0, along with two RS232/422/485 interfaces for connecting industrial equipment. HDMI, DisplayPort, USB Type-C with DisplayPort, LVDS, and eDP support different display configurations.
Three M.2 slots provide expansion for NVMe storage and wireless connectivity. The board also supports 12V–24V DC input, digital I/O, Intel AMT, a discrete TPM, and a programmable Watchdog Timer for industrial deployments requiring remote management, security, and reliable operation.
The combination of local AI acceleration, memory capacity, connectivity, and expansion is intended for machine vision, smart manufacturing, intelligent transportation, medical imaging, and smart retail applications.
By bringing up to 180 TOPS of combined AI processing into a 3.5-inch industrial computing platform, the IB966 gives system developers a compact option for deploying AI closer to the equipment generating the data.
Click here for the official announcement.
