What is AWS IoT Greengrass?
AWS IoT Greengrass extends AWS to edge devices. The runtime enables local data processing, ML inference, and messaging, even when cloud connectivity is interrupted. Greengrass automatically synchronizes data once the connection is restored.
Greengrass uses a component model: you deploy pre-built AWS components or custom components from the cloud to edge devices. Updates are centrally managed and automatically rolled out.
Core Features
- Run Lambda functions locally on edge devices
- ML inference with SageMaker Neo and TensorFlow Lite
- Local MQTT messaging between devices
- Stream Manager for reliable data transfer to the cloud
- OTA updates for components and operating system
Common Use Cases
Industrial Automation: Production machines are monitored and controlled locally. Greengrass responds to sensor events in milliseconds, even during cloud outages. Data is buffered locally and synchronized later.
Computer Vision at the Edge: Cameras analyze images locally with ML models. Only relevant results are sent to the cloud, saving bandwidth and reducing latency.
Remote Locations: Offshore platforms, wind farms, or mines with intermittent connectivity use Greengrass for autonomous operation.
Benefits
- Low latency through local processing
- Works offline with automatic synchronization
- Central management of thousands of edge devices
- Secure OTA updates without physical access
Integration with innFactory
As an AWS reseller, innFactory supports you with AWS IoT Greengrass: edge architecture, component development, ML deployment, and fleet management.
Typical Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AWS IoT Greengrass?
AWS IoT Greengrass is an edge runtime that brings AWS capabilities to local devices. You can run Lambda functions, ML models, and AWS IoT features directly on edge devices, even without internet connectivity.
What hardware does Greengrass support?
Greengrass runs on Linux-based devices with ARM or x86 processors. Supported devices include Raspberry Pi, NVIDIA Jetson, Intel NUC, industrial gateways, and many more. Minimum requirements: 1 GHz CPU, 128 MB RAM.
What does AWS IoT Greengrass cost?
The Greengrass Core software is free. Costs arise for: IoT Core messages for cloud communication, S3 for deployment packages, optional Stream Manager usage. Typical: 5 to 20 USD/month per device for cloud connectivity.
Can I run ML models on edge devices?
Yes, Greengrass supports ML inference with SageMaker Neo, TensorFlow Lite, and other frameworks. Models are deployed from the cloud and run locally with low latency. Ideal for computer vision, anomaly detection, and predictive maintenance.