The Rise of Edge Computing in Industrial IoT
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) continues to evolve, and one of the most transformative trends in this space is the rise of edge computing.
As factories and industrial environments generate increasing amounts of data, processing that information close to where it is created — rather than sending everything to the cloud — is becoming essential.
Why Edge Matters in IIoT
Traditional cloud-based models have limitations when it comes to real-time decision-making.
For mission-critical systems such as quality control, utility automation, or production line monitoring, latency and intermittent connectivity can seriously impact performance.
Edge computing addresses these challenges by enabling:
- Real-time decision-making through rule-based logic and automation running directly on edge hardware
- Reduced data bandwidth costs by transmitting only critical information to the cloud or central platforms
- Improved system resilience, allowing operations to continue even during network outages
Real Industrial Impact
In a manufacturing environment, an edge-enabled system can immediately respond to anomalies such as deviations in product weight or unexpected machine temperature changes without waiting for cloud-based validation.
This immediate response capability increases operational uptime, reduces risk, and improves overall quality assurance across production processes.
As IIoT deployments continue to expand across manufacturing, energy, utilities, and infrastructure sectors, edge computing is increasingly becoming the foundation of modern industrial automation.
Smart Home Automation & Energy Monitoring with Partnered IoT Platform
Industry
Residential Automation & Energy Monitoring
Project Type
IoT System Implementation | Custom Hardware + Platform Integration
Project Objective
The objective of this project was to design and deploy a smart home automation system capable of:
- Controlling electrical loads such as lights and fans
- Measuring real-time and cumulative power consumption
- Providing centralized dashboards for monitoring and control
- Storing historical energy data for analysis
- Integrating with an enterprise-ready IoT platform
The system needed to operate reliably within a residential electrical environment while remaining scalable for future expansion.
System Architecture
Electrical Loads (Lights, Fans)
→ Custom Switching & Energy Measurement Hardware
→ Wi-Fi Communication
→ IoT Gateway
→ Partnered IoT Platform
→ Web & Mobile Dashboards
→ Custom Switching & Energy Measurement Hardware
→ Wi-Fi Communication
→ IoT Gateway
→ Partnered IoT Platform
→ Web & Mobile Dashboards
Hardware Implementation
Load Control Hardware
Aceomation designed custom control modules to manage:
- Light circuits
- Fan circuits
Each module includes:
- Relay-based switching with electrical isolation
- Manual override capability
- Safety-grade components suitable for residential use
Energy Measurement Hardware
For power monitoring, Aceomation built sensing modules capable of measuring:
- Voltage
- Current
- Instantaneous power
- Cumulative energy consumption
These modules are calibrated to ensure accurate readings for household electrical loads.
Processing & Connectivity
Each hardware unit is powered by a microcontroller-based design that:
- Collects sensor data
- Controls relay outputs
- Manages communication with the IoT platform
Connectivity is achieved using:
- Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) for residential network compatibility
Communication Protocols Used
The system uses lightweight, reliable protocols optimized for IoT:
- MQTT for device-to-platform data publishing
- HTTPS / REST APIs for configuration and control commands
MQTT enables:
- Low-latency data transmission
- Efficient bandwidth usage
- Reliable message delivery
Data Flow & Control Logic
Data Acquisition
Each control module periodically publishes:
- Device ON/OFF status
- Real-time power consumption
- Energy usage counters
Data is securely transmitted to the IoT platform for storage and visualization.
Remote Control Flow
When a user triggers an action from the dashboard:
- Control command is sent from the IoT platform
- Command is delivered to the device via MQTT
- Hardware switches the corresponding relay
- Updated device status is reported back to the platform
This closed-loop feedback ensures command confirmation and operational reliability.
Dashboard & Visualization
Dashboards were configured within the partnered IoT platform to display:
- Live status of lights and fans
- Device-wise power consumption
- Daily, weekly, and monthly energy trends
- Historical usage comparisons
These dashboards enable users to clearly understand how and where energy is consumed.
Deployment & Network Setup
- Devices are installed within the home electrical panel and switchboards
- System operates on the local Wi-Fi network
- IoT platform dashboards are accessible via web and mobile devices
The solution does not require local servers, reducing maintenance complexity.
Reliability & Operational Stability
To ensure continuous operation:
- Devices automatically reconnect to Wi-Fi on network interruptions
- MQTT session handling ensures data continuity
- Hardware is designed for 24/7 operation
Security Considerations
- Device authentication is enforced at the IoT platform level
- Secure communication channels are used for data transfer
- Access to dashboards and controls is role-based
Project Outcome
- Centralized control of household lighting and fans
- Accurate, real-time visibility into power consumption
- Reduced manual effort and improved convenience
- Data-driven insights for energy optimization
