Search Results (30)

Inference of large machine learning models can quickly exceed the capabilities of edge devices in terms of performance, memory or energy consumption. When offloading computations to a cloud server is not possible or feasible, for instance, due to data sovereignty concerns or latency constraints, a solution can be to distribute the inference load across multiple devices in a local edge network. We propose an approach which is capable of orchestrating multi-stage inference tasks in a mobile ad-hoc network consisting of heterogeneous devices in a self-organized and fully distributed manner. As individual edge devices may be battery-powered and volatile, the framework ensures a high degree of reliability even in dynamic environments. In particular, new nodes are automatically and seamlessly integrated into the ensemble, rendering the approach highly scalable. Moreover, resilience against spontaneous node dropouts or connection failures is implemented through adaptive task rerouting. Finally, by enabling complex inference tasks to be processed in small segments on the most suitable hardware available in the network, the ensemble is able to attain considerable pipelining performance and energy efficiency. Full article

This paper investigates the application of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) in Joint Communication, Sensing, and Multi-tier Computing (JCSMC). An RIS-assisted JCSMC framework is proposed, wherein a full-duplex multi-antenna Base Station (BS) is employed to sense targets and provide edge computation services to User Equipment (UE). To enhance computational efficiency, a Multi-Tier Computing (MTC) architecture is adopted, enabling joint processing of computing tasks through the deployment of both the BS and the Cloud Servers (CS). Meanwhile, this paper studies the potential advantages of RIS in the proposed framework. It can assist in enhancing the efficiency of resource sharing between sensing and computing functions and then maximize the ability of computing the offload. This study aims to maximize the computation rate by jointly optimizing the BS transmission beamformer, RIS reflection coefficients, and computational resource allocation. The ensuing non-convex optimization problems are addressed using an alternating optimization algorithm based on Block Coordinate Ascent (BCA) for partial offloading mode, which ensures convergence to a local optimum, then extending the proposed joint design algorithms to the scenario with imperfect Self-Interference Cancellation. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm was confirmed by analyzing and contrasting the simulation results with the benchmark scheme. The simulation results show that, when the BS resources are limited, utilizing MTC architecture can significantly improve the computation rate. In addition, the proposed RIS-assisted JSCMC framework is superior to other benchmark schemes in dealing with resource utilization between different functions, achieving superior computing power while maintaining sensing quality. Full article

Intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) face challenges in handling intensive onboard computational tasks due to limited computing capacity. Vehicular edge computing networks (VECNs) offer a promising solution by enabling ICVs to offload tasks to mobile edge computing (MEC), alleviating computational load. As transportation systems are dynamic, vehicular tasks and MEC capacities vary over time, making efficient task offloading and resource allocation crucial. We explored a vehicle–road collaborative edge computing network and formulated the task offloading scheduling and resource allocation problem to minimize the sum of time and energy costs. To address the mixed nature of discrete and continuous decision variables and reduce computational complexity, we propose a hybrid hierarchical deep reinforcement learning (HHDRL) algorithm, structured in two layers. The upper layer of HHDRL enhances the double deep Q-network (DDQN) with a self-attention mechanism to improve feature correlation learning and generates discrete actions (communication decisions), while the lower layer employs deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) to produce continuous actions (power control, task offloading, and resource allocation decision). This hybrid design enables efficient decomposition of complex action spaces and improves adaptability in dynamic environments. Results from numerical simulations reveal that HHDRL achieves a significant reduction in total computational cost relative to current benchmark algorithms. Furthermore, the robustness of HHDRL to varying environmental conditions was confirmed by uniformly designing random numbers within a specified range for certain simulation parameters. Full article

The rapid adoption of generative AI raises questions not only about its transformative potential but also about its cognitive and societal risks. This study contributes to the debate by presenting cross-country experimental data (n = 150; Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom) on how individuals engage with generative AI under different conditions: human-only, human + AI (unguided), human + AI (guided with structured prompting), and AI-only benchmarks. Across 450 evaluated responses, critical reasoning was assessed via expert rubric ratings, while perceived reflective engagement was captured through self-report indices. Results show that unguided AI use fosters cognitive offloading without improving reasoning quality, whereas structured prompting significantly reduces offloading and enhances both critical reasoning and reflective engagement. Mediation and latent class analyses reveal that guided AI use supports deeper human involvement and mitigates demographic disparities in performance. Beyond theoretical contributions, this study offers practical implications for business and society. As organisations integrate AI into workflows, unstructured use risks undermining workforce decision making and critical engagement. Structured prompting, by contrast, provides a scalable and low-cost governance tool that fosters responsible adoption, supports equitable access to technological benefits, and aligns with societal calls for human-centric AI. These findings highlight the dual nature of AI as both a productivity enabler and a cognitive risk, and position structured prompting as a promising intervention to navigate the emerging challenges of AI adoption in business and society. Full article

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-assisted Edge Computing (UAV-EC) leverages UAVs as aerial edge servers to provide computation resources to user equipment (UE) in dynamically changing environments. A critical challenge in UAV-EC lies in making real-time adaptive offloading decisions that determine whether and how UE should offload tasks to UAVs. This problem is typically formulated as Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP). However, most existing offloading methods sacrifice strategy timeliness, leading to significant performance degradation in UAV-EC systems, especially under varying wireless channel quality and unpredictable UAV mobility. In this paper, we propose a novel framework that enhances offloading strategy timeliness in such dynamic settings. Specifically, we jointly optimize offloading decisions, transmit power of UEs, and computation resource allocation, to maximize system utility encompassing both latency reduction and energy conservation. To tackle this combinational optimization problem and obtain real-time strategy, we design a Quality of Experience (QoE)-aware Online Offloading (QO2) algorithm which could optimally adapt offloading decisions and resources allocations to time-varying wireless channel conditions. Instead of directly solving MIP via traditional methods, QO2 algorithm utilizes a deep neural network to learn binary offloading decisions from experience, greatly improving strategy timeliness. This learning-based operation inherently enhances the robustness of QO2 algorithm. To further strengthen robustness, we design a Priority-Based Proportional Sampling (PPS) strategy that leverages historical optimization patterns. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that QO2 outperforms state-of-the-art baselines in solution quality, consistently achieving near-optimal solutions. More importantly, it exhibits strong adaptability to dynamic network conditions. These characteristics make QO2 a promising solution for dynamic UAV-EC systems. Full article

This paper presents a secure 5G offloading mechanism leveraging Blockchain technology and Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI). The advent of 5G has significantly enhanced the capabilities of all sectors, enabling innovative applications and improving security and efficiency. However, challenges such as limited infrastructure, signal interference, and high upgrade costs persist. Offloading processes already address these issues but they require more transparency and security. This paper proposes a Blockchain-based marketplace using Hyperledger Fabric to optimize resource allocation and enhance security. This marketplace facilitates the exchange of services and resources among operators, promoting competition and flexibility. Additionally, the paper introduces an SSI-based authentication system to ensure privacy and security during the offloading process. The architecture and components of the marketplace and authentication system are detailed, along with their data models and operations. Performance evaluations indicate that the proposed solutions do not significantly degrade offloading times, making them suitable for everyday applications. As a result, the integration of Blockchain and SSI technologies enhances the security and efficiency of 5G offloading. Full article

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) furnished with computational servers enable user equipment (UE) to offload complex computational tasks, thereby addressing the limitations of edge computing in remote or resource-constrained environments. The application of value decomposition algorithms for UAV trajectory planning has drawn considerable research attention. However, existing value decomposition algorithms commonly encounter obstacles in effectively associating local observations with the global state of UAV clusters, which hinders their task-solving capabilities and gives rise to reduced task completion rates and prolonged convergence times. To address these challenges, this paper introduces an innovative multi-agent deep learning framework that conceptualizes multi-UAV trajectory optimization as a decentralized partially observable Markov decision process (Dec-POMDP). This framework integrates the QTRAN algorithm with a large language model (LLM) for efficient region decomposition and employs graph convolutional networks (GCNs) combined with self-attention mechanisms to adeptly manage inter-subregion relationships. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method significantly outperforms existing deep reinforcement learning methods, with improvements in convergence speed and task completion rate exceeding 10%. Overall, this framework significantly advances UAV trajectory optimization and enhances the performance of multi-agent systems within UAV-assisted edge computing environments. Full article

The advancement of the Internet of Autonomous Vehicles has facilitated the development and deployment of numerous onboard applications. However, the delay-sensitive tasks generated by these applications present enormous challenges for vehicles with limited computing resources. Moreover, these tasks are often interdependent, preventing parallel computation and severely prolonging completion times, which results in substantial energy consumption. Task-offloading technology offers an effective solution to mitigate these challenges. Traditional offloading strategies, however, fall short in the highly dynamic environment of the Internet of Vehicles. This paper proposes a task-offloading scheme based on deep reinforcement learning to optimize the strategy between vehicles and edge computing resources. The task-offloading problem is modeled as a Markov Decision Process, and an improved twin-delayed deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm, LT-TD3, is introduced to enhance the decision-making process. The integration of LSTM and a self-attention mechanism into the LT-TD3 network boosts its capability for feature extraction and representation. Additionally, considering task dependency, a topological sorting algorithm is employed to assign priorities to subtasks, thereby improving the efficiency of task offloading. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed strategy significantly reduces task delays and energy consumption, offering an effective solution for efficient task processing and energy saving in autonomous vehicles. Full article

The fifth-generation (5G) cellular infrastructure is expected to bring about the widespread use of connected vehicles. This technological progress marks the beginning of a new era in vehicular networks, which includes a range of different types and services of self-driving cars and the smooth sharing of information between vehicles. Connected vehicles have also been announced as a main use case of the sixth-generation (6G) cellular, with ultimate requirements beyond the 5G (B5G) and 6G eras. These networks require full coverage, extremely high reliability and availability, very low latency, and significant system adaptability. The significant specifications set for vehicular networks pose considerable design and development challenges. The goals of establishing a latency of 1 millisecond, effectively handling large amounts of data traffic, and facilitating high-speed mobility are of utmost importance. To address these difficulties and meet the demands of upcoming networks, e.g., 6G, it is necessary to improve the performance of vehicle networks by incorporating innovative technology into existing network structures. This work presents significant enhancements to vehicular networks to fulfill the demanding specifications by utilizing state-of-the-art technologies, including distributed edge computing, e.g., mobile edge computing (MEC) and fog computing, software-defined networking (SDN), and microservice. The work provides a novel vehicular network structure based on micro-services architecture that meets the requirements of 6G networks. The required offloading scheme is introduced, and a handover algorithm is presented to provide seamless communication over the network. Moreover, a migration scheme for migrating data between edge servers was developed. The work was evaluated in terms of latency, availability, and reliability. The results outperformed existing traditional approaches, demonstrating the potential of our approach to meet the demanding requirements of next-generation vehicular networks. Full article

Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a devastating complication of diabetes. There are numerous challenges with preventing diabetic foot complications and barriers to achieving the care processes suggested in established foot care guidelines. Multi-faceted digital health solutions, which combine multimodal sensing, patient-facing biofeedback, and remote patient monitoring (RPM), show promise in improving our ability to understand, prevent, and manage DFUs. Methods: Patients with a history of diabetic plantar foot ulcers were enrolled in a prospective cohort study and equipped with custom sensory insoles to track plantar pressure, plantar temperature, step count, and adherence data. Sensory insole data enabled patient-facing biofeedback to cue active plantar offloading in response to sustained high plantar pressures, and RPM assessments in response to data trends of concern in plantar pressure, plantar temperature, or sensory insole adherence. Three non-consecutive case participants that ultimately presented with pre-ulcerative lesions (a callus and/or erythematous area on the plantar surface of the foot) during the study were selected for this case series. Results: Across three illustrative patients, continuous plantar pressure monitoring demonstrated promise for empowering both the patient and provider with information for data-driven management of pressure offloading treatments. Conclusion: Multi-faceted digital health solutions can naturally enable and reinforce the integrative foot care guidelines. Multi-modal sensing across multiple physiologic domains supports the monitoring of foot health at various stages along the DFU pathogenesis pathway. Furthermore, digital health solutions equipped with remote patient monitoring unlock new opportunities for personalizing treatments, providing periodic self-care reinforcement, and encouraging patient engagement—key tools for improving patient adherence to their diabetic foot care plan. Full article

Plantar pressure plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of foot ulcers among patients with diabetes and peripheral polyneuropathy. Pressure relief is a key requirement for both the prevention and treatment of plantar ulcers. Conventional medical practice to enable such an action is usually realized by means of dedicated insoles and special footwear. Another technique for foot pressure offloading (not in medical practice) can be achieved by sensing/estimating the current state (pressure) and, accordingly, enabling a pressure release mechanism once a defined threshold is reached. Though these mechanisms can make plantar pressure monitoring and release possible, overall, they make shoes bulkier, power-dependent, and expensive. In this work, we present a passive and self-offloading alternative to keep plantar pressure within a defined safe limit. Our approach is based on the use of a permanent magnet, taking advantage of its non-linear field reduction with distance. The proposed solution is free from electronics and is a low-cost alternative for smart shoe development. The overall size of the device is 13 mm in diameter and 30 mm in height. The device allows more than 20-times the tunability of the threshold pressure limit, which makes it possible to pre-set the limit as low as 38 kPa and as high as 778 kPa, leading to tunability within a wide range. Being a passive, reliable, and low-cost alternative, the proposed solution could be useful in smart shoe development to prevent foot ulcer development. The proposed device provides an alternative for offloading plantar pressure that is free from the power feeding requirement. The presented study provides preliminary results for the development of a complete offloading shoe that could be useful for the prevention/care of foot ulcers among diabetic patients. Full article

Privacy-preserving computation (PPC) enables encrypted computation of private data. While advantageous in theory, the complex technology has steep barriers to entry in practice. Here, we derive design goals and principles for a middleware that encapsulates the demanding cryptography server side and provides a simple-to-use interface to client-side application developers. The resulting architecture, “Federated Secure Computing”, offloads computing-intensive tasks to the server and separates concerns of cryptography and business logic. It provides microservices through an Open API 3.0 definition and hosts multiple protocols through self-discovered plugins. It requires only minimal DevSecOps capabilities and is straightforward and secure. Finally, it is small enough to work in the internet of things (IoT) and in propaedeutic settings on consumer hardware. We provide benchmarks for calculations with a secure multiparty computation (SMPC) protocol, both for vertically and horizontally partitioned data. Runtimes are in the range of seconds on both dedicated workstations and IoT devices such as Raspberry Pi or smartphones. A reference implementation is available as free and open source software under the MIT license. Full article

With the vigorous development of industries such as self-driving, edge intelligence, and the industrial Internet of Things (IoT), the amount and type of data generated are unprecedentedly large, and users’ demand for high-quality services continues to increase. Edge computing has emerged as a new paradigm, providing storage, computing, and networking resources between traditional cloud data centers and end devices with solid timeliness. Therefore, the resource allocation problem in the online task offloading process is the main area of research. It is aimed at the task offloading problem of delay-sensitive customers under capacity constraints in the online task scenario. In this paper, a new edge collaborative online task offloading management algorithm based on the deep reinforcement learning method OTO-DRL is designed. Based on that, a large number of simulations are carried out on synthetic and real data sets, taking obstacle recognition and detection in unmanned driving as a specific task and experiment. Compared with other advanced methods, OTO-DRL can well realize the increase in the number of tasks requested by mobile terminal users in the field of edge collaboration while guaranteeing the service quality of task requests with higher priority. Full article

With the Internet of Vehicles (IOV), a lot of self-driving vehicles (SDVs) need to handle a variety of tasks but have very seriously limited computing and storage resources, meaning they cannot complete intensive tasks timely. In this paper, a joint edge computing and caching based on a Dueling Double Deep Q Network (D3QN) is proposed to solve the problem of the multi-task joint edge calculation and caching process. Firstly, the processes of offloading tasks and caching them to the base station are modeled as optimization problems to maximize system revenues, which are limited by system latency and energy consumption as well as cache space for computing task constraints. Moreover, we also take into account the negative impact of the number of unfinished tasks in relation to the optimization problem—the higher the number of unfinished tasks, the lower the system revenue. Secondly, we use the D3QN algorithm together with the cache models to solve the formulated NP-hard problem and select the optimal caching and offloading action by adopting an e-greedy strategy. Moreover, two cache models are proposed in this paper to cache tasks, namely the active cache, based on the popularity of the task, and passive cache, based on the D3QN algorithm. Additionally, tasks which deal with cache space are updated by computing the expulsion value based on type of popularity. Finally, simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has good performance in terms of the latency and energy consumption of the system and that it improves utilization of cache space and reduces the probability of unfinished tasks. Compared to the Deep Q Network with caching policy, with the Double Deep Q Network with caching policy and Dueling Deep Q Network with caching policy, the system revenue of the proposed algorithm is improved by 65%, 35% and 66%, respectively. The scenario of the IOV proposed in this article can be expanded to larger-scale IOV systems by increasing the number of SDVs and base stations, and the content caching and download functions of the Internet of Things can also be achieved through collaboration between multiple base stations. However, only the cache model is focused on in this article, and the design of the replacement model is not good enough, resulting in a low utilization of cache resources. In future work, we will analyze how to make joint decisions based on multi-agent collaboration for caching, offloading and replacement in IOV scenarios with multiple heterogeneous services to support different Vehicle-to-Everything services. Full article

With the improvements in the intelligent level of connected vehicles (CVs), travelers can enjoy services such as self-driving, self-parking and audiovisual entertainment inside the vehicle, which place extremely high demands on the computing power of onboard systems (OBSs). However, the arithmetic power of a single CV often cannot meet the diverse service demands of the in-vehicle system. As a new computing paradigm, task offloading based on vehicular edge computing has significant advantages in remedying the shortcomings of single-CV computing power and balancing the allocation of computing resources. This paper studied the computational task offloading of high-speed connected vehicles without the help of roadside edge servers in certain geographic areas. User vehicles (UVs) with insufficient computing power offload some of their computational tasks to nearby CVs with abundant resources. We explored the high-speed driving model and task classification model of CVs to refine the task offloading process. Additionally, inspired by game theory, we designed a divergent selection task offloading strategy based on an incentive mechanism (DSIM), in which we balanced the interests of both the user vehicle and service vehicles. CVs that contribute resources are rewarded to motivate more CVs to join. A DSIM algorithm based on a divergent greedy algorithm was introduced to maximize the total rewards of all volunteer vehicles while respecting the will of both the user vehicle and service vehicles. The experimental simulation results showed that, compared with several existing studies, our approach can always obtain the highest reward for service vehicles and lowest latency for user vehicles. Full article