SciTransfer
EXTRA-BRAIN · Project

Energy-Efficient Brain-Like AI for Low-Power Industrial Edge Computing

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Imagine if computers could learn and think more like a human brain instead of needing massive, power-hungry data centers. This project builds AI that uses very little electricity and can adapt to new situations on the fly. It's like moving from a giant industrial furnace to a smart, efficient home heater that only uses energy when and where it's needed.

By the numbers
12
partners
9
industrial partners
14
total deliverables
The business problem

What needed solving

Current AI requires massive amounts of energy and expensive annotated data, making it too costly and carbon-heavy for real-time use in resource-limited edge environments.

The solution

What was built

A system of brain-like neural networks and data optimisation pipelines. It includes an explainability framework to make AI decisions understandable to humans.

Audience

Who needs this

Edge computing hardware providersIndustrial IoT sensor manufacturersAutonomous system developersGreen AI software consultants
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Industrial Automation
enterprise
Target: Robotics manufacturer

If you are a robotics manufacturer dealing with high energy costs and slow response times in remote factories — this project developed brain-like neural networks that provide low-power consumption and real-time constraints. This allows robots to adapt to changing conditions without needing a constant cloud connection.

IoT & Sensors
SME
Target: Smart sensor developer

If you are a smart sensor developer dealing with limited battery life in the field — this project developed neuromorphic implementations that are resource efficient. This enables complex AI processing directly on the device, reducing the need to send data to the cloud.

Logistics
mid-size
Target: Autonomous fleet operator

If you are an autonomous fleet operator dealing with unpredictable environments and unreliable connectivity — this project developed AI with better cross-task generalisation. This ensures vehicles remain operationally robust and flexible when facing novel domains.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

How much does this technology cost to implement?

Based on available project data, specific pricing or implementation costs are not provided; however, the project aims to reduce costs associated with assembling training data and energy consumption.

Can this be scaled to a full industrial plant?

The project is designed for the edge-cloud continuum, meaning it is built to scale across different hardware platforms and computing infrastructures depending on the task scenario.

Who owns the IP and how is licensing handled?

Based on available project data, the specific IP and licensing agreements are not listed, but the consortium includes 9 industrial partners and 7 SMEs.

Does this comply with AI regulations regarding transparency?

Yes, the project integrates an explainability framework specifically to promote trust and empower the human user, aligning with trustworthy AI ambitions.

How long does it take to integrate into existing systems?

Based on available project data, the project runs from 2024-01-01 to 2027-02-28, with 14 total deliverables guiding the development and evaluation process.

Consortium

Who built it

The project is heavily industry-driven, with a 75% industry ratio consisting of 9 companies, 7 of which are SMEs. This strong commercial presence, coordinated by KTH Royal Institute of Technology and spanning 8 countries, suggests the results are being developed with immediate market application and industrial constraints in mind rather than just academic curiosity.

How to reach the team

Contact KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HOEGSKOLAN in Sweden

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Contact us to connect with the 7 SMEs developing this neuromorphic AI.