AI has found its way into embedded control systems and as it seems, it comes with lots of benefits and simplifications for engineers work. And for sure: having a trained net that implements an end to end functionality, let's say from data acquisition via cognition, detection, planning down to control revolutionizes engineering and algorithmic efficiency. If there weren't just one little thing that needs to be resolved: evidence on dependability for AI based algorithms and the specific HW accelerators and SW-stack in used. 

This talk refines the problem statement and therefore defines four architectural patterns:
■  safe AI,
■  supervised AI,
■  safe AI companion and
■  blended safe AI.

While each of those architectural patterns come with its own benefits, the discussion does focus on the specific approaches for giving evidence on dependability. It is examined,how all four flavours of AI and safety do fit to different use-cases and domains. Given this foundation, the talk dives into the technical solution space by example. and therefore selects a not too complex one: a cognitive robotic control functionality in the sense of an emergency stop function. Once a user raises a hand with a specific gesture, the robot shall immediatetly stop. And with this system function in mind, an experiment is explained step by step.

■  Co-author: Wolfgang Gehrhardt, emlix GmbH
■  Co-author: Niclas Peter, emlix GmbH

Short Bio:

Michael Armbruster is Solution architect at emlix GmbH for safe and secure systems based on embedded Linux. He has worked in various roles and domains such as avionics, automotive and industrial automation for more than 20 years. Much of his experience is in engineering functionally safe systems (of systems) in context of video-based advanced driver-assistance, autonomous driving and autonomous automation and control. Before his time at emlix GmbH, he worked at Elektrobit Automotive GmbH on technical solutions that allow the utilization of Linux for safety-related applications leading to EB corbos Linux for Safety Applications as announced early 2024.

Wolfgang Gehrhardt is a Senior Systems Engineer at emlix GmbH. He is an architect for secured embedded Linux systems in the automotive, industrial and consumer device fields, performing requirements engineering and design throughout the entire product life cycle.