What are the Applications of Embedded Systems?

Embedded systems are integral to numerous technological advancements and are found in a wide array of applications across various industries. This article explores the diverse applications of embedded systems, highlighting their significance and impact on modern technology.

Also read: What is an Embedded System? Complete Guide

Consumer Electronics

1. Smart Home 

Embedded systems power smart home devices like thermostats, lighting controls, WiFi Cameras and security systems. The Internet of Things (IoT) software stack helps us to monitor and control these devices from anywhere in the world. Today we have WiFi cameras available on e-commerce sites like Amazon that connect to your WiFi at home and can be controlled from anywhere to monitor your home. There are LED bulbs available connected to your home WiFi that can be switched on or off from anywhere in the world. Motion-sensing LED bulbs help you to keep your power consumption minimal when no one is around.

2. Home Appliances:

Home appliances like TVs, Washers, Dryers, Refrigerators, personal A/C units are running on embedded systems. They provide intuitive user interfaces through small screens or remorse control units and make the user’s lives simple. Many of them are moving towards IoT where you could get them serviced remotely. Smart TVs have revolutionized how you consume content by providing on-demand services. 

Also read: What are the Components of an Embedded System?

Automotive Industry

1. Engine Control Units (ECUs)

Embedded systems in ECUs manage engine performance, fuel efficiency, and emission control. They provide real-time processing and control, ensuring optimal engine operation.

2. Driver Safety Systems

Anti-lock braking Systems (ABS), Airbags, driver drowsiness detection systems help in driver safety in case of any accidents. These systems are specially designed unlike consumer embedded systems to ensure they respond in real time to any such incidents. The software and hardware for these kinds of applications are specially designed to provide redundancy in advanced designs. Some government-enforced regulations and standards control passenger safety. All such safety systems need to meet this.  

3. Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Embedded systems enable features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, electronic mirrors, parking assist and automatic headlight tracking that enhance driving experience. They integrate data from various sensors (sensor fusion), including cameras, radar, and lidar, to provide situational awareness and assistance.

Also read: How to Become an Embedded Systems Engineer?

Healthcare

1. Medical Devices

Embedded systems are used in personal medical devices such as pacemakers, infusion pumps, diagnostic equipment like glucometers, and pulse oximeters to help monitor critical parameters like blood glucose and oxygen saturation. They provide you with low-cost monitoring at lower precision levels. If you go to a diagnostic lab you can find many embedded equipment like MRI scanners and ultrasound scanners that provide higher level precision. Whereas personal devices are used for indicative measures the diagnostic devices in labs are used for prescribing medication. Lab devices ensure high reliability and precision, essential for patient safety and effective treatment.

2. Wearable Health Tech

Embedded systems in fitness trackers like Fitbit and smartwatches like Apple Watch monitor health metrics like heart rate, sleep patterns, and physical activity. You can monitor the activity through your dashboards so that you can track your progress over time. Due to the increase in spend by insurers, it is expected that they want you to enable remote health monitoring and data collection. This will help them administer appropriate health insurance premiums depending on one’s physical activity and status. 

Industrial Automation

1. Robotic automation of manufacturing

Embedded systems control industrial robots like robotic arms and mobile robots, ensuring precise movements and operations. Robots are extensively used in automobile manufacturing from welding the parts to fixing parts inside by bolts/ screws to final inspection of the automobile. Integration of camera systems into robots provides a higher level of autonomy to the robots. Robots are helping to improve the efficiency and productivity of automobile manufacturing.

2. Process Control

Embedded systems monitor and control industrial processes to provide end-to-end automation through multiple sensors that are placed throughout the raw material process flow, maintaining optimal conditions and ensuring quality. They provide real-time data processing and feedback, enabling immediate adjustments and control. Today industrial laser cameras provide a high level of precision in the inspection. 

Also read: Characteristics of an Embedded System

Telecommunications

1. Networking Equipment

Embedded systems in networking equipment like routers and switches manage data traffic, ensuring efficient and reliable communication. Most of these operate on optical fibre medium these days for higher bandwidth. They range from simple routers for personal use at homes to complex routers for businesses. They perform complex signal processing tasks, enabling high-speed data transmission.

2. Mobile Communication

Embedded systems in mobile base stations handle communication protocols and manage network connectivity. With the advent of 5G and 6G, the base stations have become more complex and power-hungry so that low power implementations are quite essential for sustainability. 

Aerospace and Defense

1. Avionics

Embedded systems in avionics manage flight control systems, navigation, take-off, landing and communications with airport control towers. Each of these systems is very complex which are governed by standards and regulations for passenger safety. They are designed for high safety and reliability standards critical for aerospace applications.

2. Defense Systems

Embedded systems control weapon systems ensuring reliability, precision and effectiveness. They enable advanced surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities that use advanced imaging techniques using cameras, Lidars and radars. Drones are extensively used today for surveillance reconnaissance and weapon delivery as well. Drones could be in small form factors that carry cameras for surveillance to large ones that carry the bombs. Military standards are published by respective countries and the embedded systems are expected to comply with those standards. 

Also read: What are the Skills Required for an Embedded Software Engineer?

Conclusion

Embedded systems are the cornerstone of numerous technological advancements, driving innovation and functionality across a wide range of transformational applications. From consumer electronics and automotive to healthcare, industrial automation, telecommunications, and aerospace, embedded systems enhance performance, efficiency, and reliability, making them indispensable in our day today lives.