5 Upcoming Trends and Predictions of Embedded Systems in 2021

Smart trends have made us realize; life could be easier than it used to be. Machines are our friends, for they have always put our comfort first. Be it the calculator that solves complex mathematical queries in seconds, or a computer that brings the world on the tip of your finger. While the challenges of technology remain at the surface, the benefits have outdone the downside. Best embedded systems have the capability of turning our worlds around. The microcontrollers and processors in the embedded system allow specific tasks to run with convenience, due diligence, and efficacy.

The pandemic changed our world view within a few months. The dominance of machines and redundancy of physical space stood out as the consequence of this health crisis. It is then that humans realized the importance of embedded systems. Let us have a look at a few of the trends and predictions of an embedded system that are likely to transform the world for good.

Office Automation:

The most vital market of embedded systems is related to office automation. The scanners, card readers, and the electronic attendance system through the eye and facial recognition have made embedded systems a hit in automating the manual processes. Whether it is the biometric scanning or verification or speech recognition, embedded system development is evident in every major process. The complexity of the embedded system and the micro-processing capabilities have allowed working from home possible during the pandemic, a concept which most of us were naïve to.  

Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning:

Embedded systems incorporate a blend of hardware and software microcontrollers that are either built-in or programmed. The widely famous trend of the embedded system comes in the form of artificial intelligence. For the technology sector, embedded systems play an integral role in making AI products a problem solver. The programmability and functioning of the embedded system give rise to smart practices like voice recognition, virtual reality glasses, virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa. It is the smart performing microcontrollers, that manufacture the AI products and services. The advanced data management system or the online route navigation through Google requires machine learning brought forward by embedded systems. 

Robotics:

Over the coming few years, embedded system intelligence would be shown through high tech robots. The robots performing human duties like performing surgeries, assisting with the retail experience, and whatnot. For robotics to achieve that level of performance and capability, highly robust and dynamic embedded systems would be needed. The electrical vehicles or the self-driven cars are a part of robotics being highly sophisticated and complex in design. It is a virtue of an embedded system that a few months from now, machines would be automated to such an extent. 

Smart Technology:

Smartphones, Tabs, iPads, and smartwatches consisting of a highly sophisticated embedded system would gain a substantial market. The market for smart products will grow in the coming years. Wearable technology or complex devices like laptops and tabs are likely to experience a surge in demand for its many features and problem-solving capabilities.

Smart Home Appliances:

The most common usage of embedded systems is in the form of smart home appliances. The new systems are integrated with microcontrollers capable of functioning on their own, with commands given from afar. The remote controlling of air conditioners, LEDs, and security systems required robust embedded systems. Security systems are upgraded through better performing embedded systems.

Concepts and trends which were deemed impossible a score ago, are now becoming possible with the improvement of an embedded system. Time is the real judge here, and the deciding factor of what wonders may befall our way in the future.

The Basics of Embedded System Designs

Would a human body survive if the brain stopped working? Would a person be considered sane if that happened? The logical and most obvious answer is, no! a human body cannot survive on its own without a functioning brain. No thoughts, no processing of information, no reflexes, no response, in short nothing would work in absence of a sane mind or brain. Our brain is the embedded system of our bodies. It is the central place where all external information from the outside world is concentrated, then processed and responses are triggered through five senses.

Embedded systems are the controllers and processors of anything mechanical, or otherwise. It is what makes the system work, it is what processes information in any machine. The processing unit of an app or a physical object, which enables its working. They are meant to perform tasks. They help to understand the working and functionality of a machine and its various characteristics. Embedded systems are mainly comprised of two elements,

• Embedded System Software
• Embedded System Hardware

Software: The physicality of processors in embedded software systems is replaced by programming functions. The codes are written off in a specific format to give the operating ability to an app or software. Unlike hardware, its longevity is guaranteed and it is non-perishable and non-volatile. 

Programming: As mentioned earlier, software embedded systems are either written through codes or programming. C, C++, or Java are some of the programming languages which are used by engineers to write an embedded system software program/app. 

Codes: Apart from programming languages, codes are the basic building blocks of a program. It ranges from simple and basic to complex coding formats, depending upon the operations an app or software is required to perform. Machine coding is however quite rare these days after the advent of programming. Coding, however, could sometimes be faulty therefore programming is preferred over coding. 

Hardware: There is always a choice when it comes to hardware embedded systems. It is either microcontroller or microprocessor-based. These systems, as understood by the name, are mostly associated with electronics or physical machinery. There are several parts of the hardware embedded system. It is more like a process. It includes a memory, input, output units, user interface, and display of the result.

                            Data Input         ------>     Processing       ----->        Output Result

Microcontroller based: in this sort of embedded system, very few components are used. It is often called the central processing unit or the CPU, like that of the computer/desktop computer. 

Microprocessor-based: it also contains a CPU, but some chips are also used in this as well for memory purposes. A circuit board exists with a lot of external chips and transistors etc. Microprocessor-based embedded systems work best for large equipment or units. 

Embedded System Designs

From accurate coding to machine learning, embedded system designs indicate the intricacy of operations a machine or software can perform. Modern-day electronic devices like mobiles and laptops use a highly intricate and complex embedded system to perform smart functions. A small touch feature on tabs, mobiles, and laptops includes systematic programming and intelligent embedded system designs behind it. 

Designs and development of embedded systems define the intelligence of machines and the functions they can perform. Their designs are directly related to artificial intelligence these devices exhibit. Software tools go into the designing of the embedded systems. Software developers accurately design the motherboards of systems that are efficient in working. From a calculator to a light bulb, every machine has an embedded system. The process is universal where input goes in and the output is generated through the embedded system.