Designing Intelligence at the Edge: Insights from Syntronic R&D Canada

Following our recent update on Syntronic supporting a robotics innovator with next-gen AI hardware platform powered by NVIDIA Jetson technology, we sat down with Ben Morris, Senior Vice President and Head of Syntronic R&D Canada, to reflect on what makes Syntronic unique and to discuss the opportunities ahead as edge AI, advanced computing platforms, and autonomous systems continue to evolve.

Ben, congratulations on your recent one-year anniversary. Looking back, what stands out most to you about Syntronic’s expertise and service offerings?

Thank you. Time flies when you’re having fun! What stands out immediately is the depth and consistency of engineering excellence across Syntronic. We don’t just specialize in one layer of the stack. Our teams span system architecture, hardware, embedded software, validation, and lifecycle support, which allows us to take on extremely complex, high-reliability systems.

Our R&D services are structured to support customers from early concept through industrialization and long-term support. That breadth, combined with a very pragmatic, execution-focused culture, is what makes Syntronic a true engineering partner rather than just a supplier.

The team recently supported a robotics innovator with an NVIDIA Jetson–based AI platform. Why is this work particularly relevant right now?

This project is a great example of how AI at the edge is becoming foundational. By redesigning processor hardware, integrating NVIDIA Jetson modules, and delivering a complete embedded software stack, we helped create a scalable, future-ready platform for robotics applications.

Edge AI matters because many industrial and autonomous systems simply can’t rely on the cloud. They require real-time decision-making, low latency, and deterministic behavior.

Beyond Jetson, NVIDIA is advancing platforms like THOR and IGX. How does Syntronic approach engineering high-performance AI systems on these technologies?

Platforms like NVIDIA THOR and IGX represent the next generation of high-performance, mission-critical edge AI. These systems are designed for extreme compute density, functional safety, and reliability, especially in defense, industrial automation, robotics, and autonomous applications.

Syntronic engineers rugged, high-performance AI systems on NVIDIA’s THOR, IGX, and enterprise-grade platforms by taking a full system view. That includes:

• System architecture and hardware design optimized for AI workloads
• Advanced cooling and thermal engineering to sustain peak performance
• Power integrity and EMI/EMC-compliant design for harsh environments
• Integration of AI acceleration modules and high-speed interfaces
• High-bandwidth data pipelines for sensor-rich systems
• Ruggedized enclosures and mechanical design
• Comprehensive validation and testing, including HALT/HASS, environmental, and vibration testing

This level of engineering rigor is essential when you’re building platforms that must operate continuously, safely, and predictably in demanding conditions.

Why is edge AI especially critical for industrial automation and automotive platforms?

In both industrial and automotive environments, latency and reliability are non-negotiable. AI at the edge enables real-time perception, control, and autonomy – whether that’s a robot on a factory floor or an intelligent vehicle platform.

For automotive and industrial customers, edge AI also supports long product lifecycles. Syntronic designs platforms that can evolve across processor generations and software updates, protecting customer investments while enabling continuous innovation.

How does Syntronic help customers scale embedded and AI-enabled systems?

Scaling AI systems requires more than raw compute. It requires robust architecture, manufacturability, validation, and long-term support. Syntronic’s R&D model is built around exactly that.

We help customers move from prototype to production with confidence – aligning hardware, software, and verification strategies so systems perform consistently at scale. Whether it’s an industrial autonomy platform or a mission-critical edge AI system, our teams are structured to deliver repeatable, production-ready results.

Looking ahead, what opportunities excite you most?

The pace of innovation is incredible. With platforms like Jetson, THOR, and IGX, we’re seeing AI move deeper into safety-critical, high-performance edge applications. That opens enormous opportunities in autonomy, robotics, defense, and intelligent infrastructure.

For Syntronic, it’s an opportunity to do what we do best: engineer complex systems that work reliably in the real world. As compute capabilities grow, the importance of strong system engineering only increases, and that’s where Syntronic truly differentiates.

How can organizations start working with your team?

Ben: If you’re building a next-generation autonomy platform or a mission-critical edge AI system, we’d love to talk. My team is ready to support everything from early architecture exploration to full-scale deployment.

Connect with Ben on LinkedIn or contact our team at info.americas@syntronic.com to get the conversation started.