Hardware Challenges in AI Sensors and Innovative Approaches to Overcome Them

Intelligent sensors with embedded AI are key to modern cyber-physical systems. They find applications in industrial automation, medical diagnostics and healthcare, smart cities, and autonomous systems. Despite their significant potential, they face several hardware challenges related to computing power, energy consumption, communication capabilities, and security, which limit their effectiveness. This article analyzes factors influencing the production and deployment of AI sensors. The key limitations are energy efficiency, computing power, scalability, and integration of AI sensors in real-time conditions. Among the main problems are the high requirements for data processing, the limitations of traditional microprocessors, and the balance between performance and energy consumption. To meet these challenges, the article presents several practical and innovative approaches, including the development of specialized microprocessors and optimized architectures for “edge computing,” which promise radical reductions in latency and power consumption. Through a synthesis of current research and practical examples, the article emphasizes the need for intermediate hardware–software solutions and standardization for mass deployment of AI sensors.