In a world where a single second can decide between safety and disaster—from production lines to city-wide security—waiting to upload video to the cloud for AI analysis before issuing an alert can be one step too late.
That’s why Edge AI has become the answer:
putting the “intelligent brain” on-site, right at the edge, so it can decide instantly, reduce delay, save bandwidth, protect sensitive data, and most importantly, keep working even when the internet goes down.
What is Edge AI, and how is it different from Cloud AI?
- Cloud AI
Processes data in centralized data centers.
Information must be sent over the network first before it can be analyzed. - Edge AI
Processes data at the edge of the network (e.g. on cameras, gateways, on-premise servers), enabling immediate response, reducing cloud load, and lowering privacy risk.
Canal One’s solution uses an IoT & Smart Integration architecture that is designed to support Edge AI Processing, reducing direct dependence on cloud computing. Detection and decision-making happen close to where events occur, and can then be extended into a Unified Security System that combines cyber and physical security on a single screen.
5 Reasons Thai factories and smart cities should start with Edge before Cloud
- Faster where it matters
Decisions are made on-site, reducing delay from sending all data to the cloud. - Keeps working even if the link is down
The system can still detect and alert from edge devices when the network is unstable or offline. - Better data protection
Sensitive data doesn’t need to leave the site unnecessarily. - Control bandwidth and cloud costs
Send only event summaries / metadata, instead of raw streams. - Scale in phases
Add “edge boxes” point by point, without having to redesign the entire infrastructure at once.
How to use Edge AI together with the ASAP Platform
ASAP (All Smart AI Platform) is a safety, environment, and operations management platform that works with your existing devices to enhance:
- Analytics
- Event discrimination
- Abnormal pattern detection
…and automatically contact the relevant teams.
- Multi-Platform & IoT Integration
Supports CCTV, PA systems, cloud, bodycams, and connects edge devices into existing systems immediately—no need to discard your current investments. - On-the-Go Monitoring
View incidents and issue commands from phones, tablets, or existing screens, so frontline teams can act right away. - ASAP+ Automation
Upgrade responses, for example, to automatically dispatch drones to incident locations when defined events occur. - Green Tech by design
Architected to reduce energy usage in camera and network systems—safer and more sustainable at the same time.
Edge AI use cases that work today
- Industrial plants
Detect PPE violations, fires, intrusions, and risky behavior, with automatic alerts and SOP recommendations—reducing human error and decision time. - Smart cities / public areas
Monitor intrusions, verify identity, analyze movement patterns, and integrate environmental sensors (air quality/PM, water levels, temperature) to send early warnings and manage traffic/pollution in a structured way. - Critical infrastructure
Upgrade to a Smart Integrated Operation Center (IOC) where monitoring and response are centralized in one hub—already in use with agencies in Thailand—making operations smoother and more accurate.
Edge or Cloud: how to choose what’s “efficient and flexible”?
- Use Edge-first for workloads that:
- Require strict real-time response
- Operate with unstable connectivity
- Face tight personal data/privacy constraints
- Use Cloud for workloads that:
- Need to aggregate large volumes of data
- Train heavy models
- Produce centralized reports and analytics
The ideal workflow is a hybrid Edge + Cloud model:
- Let Edge filter and decide on-site
- Send only meaningful events to the cloud for long-term storage and deep analytics
This hybrid approach is the core of ASAP:
“Put AI where incidents actually happen”, while still staying seamlessly connected to the bigger picture.
How to get started with Edge AI on your existing system
- Identify critical events
e.g. fire, PPE, intrusion, PM2.5—then define response KPIs. - Deploy Edge Gateways / AI Cameras
Start at high-risk points, then expand in phases. - Connect to ASAP via Universal Connector/API
Centralize alerts and command with your existing devices. - Add ASAP+ if you need advanced automation
e.g. drone dispatch, on-site equipment control.
Edge AI doesn’t replace the cloud—
it adds a “local intelligent layer” that helps Thailand become safer, smarter, and more sustainable:
- Faster when every second matters
- More economical by not sending all data upstream
- Fully compatible with existing systems
—all powered by Canal One’s ASAP Platform, designed for real-world deployments in both factories and smart cities across Thailand.
