What type of functionality do IoT devices offer in edge computing?

IoT devices in edge computing are designed to perform local data processing and provide real-time responses. This functionality is crucial because it allows the devices to process information near the source of data generation rather than sending all data to a centralized location, such as a cloud server. By handling data locally, IoT devices can significantly reduce latency, enabling immediate decision-making and actions based on the collected data.

This is particularly important for applications where quick response times are critical, such as in industrial automation, smart cities, and health monitoring systems. Moreover, local processing can enhance privacy and security by minimizing the amount of sensitive data transmitted over networks.

In contrast, centralized data processing involves sending all data to a single location for processing, which is less efficient for real-time applications. Autonomous decision-making without user intervention is a feature in some IoT applications, but it does not always require edge processing. Connection solely to cloud-based systems suggests a lack of local processing capabilities, which undermines the primary advantages of edge computing.