Advancements in Edge and Cloud Computing for Industrial IoT

Dear Colleagues,

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) refers to the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies within industrial environments, where the real-time monitoring, control, and optimization of systems and machinery are essential to ensure operational efficiency and safety. These systems are characterized by limited computing power, intermittent network connectivity, dynamic and highly uncertain contexts, and high-stressed conditions. They often operate in harsh, challenging environments, dealing with resource constraints and various types of cyberthreats.

IIoT involves real-time data collection, analysis, and decision-making to optimize operational efficiency, increase automation, and enhance field personnel capabilities. It is especially relevant in fields like critical infrastructure, smart transportation, or emergency response, where timely and accurate decision-making is crucial.

The integration of edge and cloud computing solutions, specifically tailored for IIoT, is essential for addressing these challenges. While cloud computing provides scalability, real-time application support, and mobility, it also introduces challenges, particularly in terms of cybersecurity.

This Special Issue focuses on innovative technologies and methodologies that advance IIoT through the combination of edge and cloud computing or novel alternatives. We are especially interested in exploring how resource-limited devices in these environments (e.g., confined spaces) can leverage opportunistically external, resource-rich resources (e.g., vehicles or other platforms) to provide enhanced computational power and reduced latency.

The research papers submitted to this Special Issue will address advancements in IIoT, edge computing, and in the edge–cloud continuum in mission-critical scenarios. They can also address how the application of these technologies enhance decision-making, situational awareness, and operational efficiency in dynamic, real-time, and disconnected conditions.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Deployment and optimization of edge solutions in mission-critical environments.
• Tactical cloudlets hosted on vehicles or platforms, enabling computational offloading, data filtering, and mission support at the edge.
• Frameworks, architectures, and systems enabling the cloud–edge continuum in IIoT.
• Techniques and solutions for reducing latency and improving energy efficiency in IIoT.
• Opportunistic edge computing and strategies to offload resource-intensive computations to external resources to enhance device capabilities in industrial and mission-critical environments.
• Security and privacy concerns, with a focus on safeguarding sensitive data and mission-critical information.
• Use of UAVs or UGVs for IIoT.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Paula Fraga-Lamas
Dr. Tiago M. Fernández-Caramés
Dr. Sérgio Ivan Lopes
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• Industrial Internet of Things
• edge computing
• cloud–edge continuum
• opportunistic edge computing