Written by Victoria Chen-Martinez
As technology becomes more complex, so do its challenges. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is one of the biggest issues engineers face today. This problem occurs when electronic devices disrupt each other’s signals, causing failures or malfunctions. It’s a serious concern in places like retail stores or data centers, where many devices operate together.
Amazon faced this issue when developing its Just Walk Out (JWO) technology, which allows shoppers to pick up items and leave the store without going through a checkout line. The hardware behind JWO relies on advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems, including sensors and edge computing devices. To work well, these systems needed to operate without interference, even in busy environments full of electronic noise.
That is where Naga Suryadevara stepped in. An expert in electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), he created innovative solutions that solved these problems, helping JWO expand to over 100 stores.
Improving Shopping Technology with Reliable Systems
Suryadevara’s approach to the JWO challenge exemplifies his practical problem-solving methodology. His work involved creating comprehensive design guidelines that addressed every aspect of electromagnetic compatibility, from component selection to system architecture. These guidelines became the foundation for hardware that could maintain optimal performance even in challenging retail environments.
The project’s complexity was unprecedented. The AI-powered hardware included sophisticated inference engines and sensor arrays that needed to process vast amounts of data in real time while maintaining electromagnetic harmony with hundreds of consumer devices. Suryadevara developed innovative shielding techniques and ground plane designs that set new standards for EMI mitigation in retail environments.
“The difficulty wasn’t just about achieving compliance; it was about creating hardware that could thrive in the chaos of a real-world environment. Every detail mattered, from board design to material selection,” Suryadevara explained.
Thanks to his efforts, JWO became more than just an idea. It transformed how people shop, allowing Amazon to roll out this cashier-less technology to stores worldwide.
Contributing to Green Computing Through Open Source
Suryadevara’s impact extends well beyond retail innovation. His contributions to the Open Compute Project (OCP) have helped reshape the landscape of data center technology. By developing open-source hardware designs for immersion cooling systems, he’s addressing one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: the massive energy consumption of modern computing facilities.
His immersion cooling designs have achieved remarkable results, reducing data center cooling costs by up to 45 percent while improving computing density by 25 percent. These innovations are particularly significant given that data centers currently consume approximately one percent of global electricity, projected to reach three to eight percent by 2030.
“My contributions to OCP are not just about technical advances; they’re about making these solutions accessible to everyone,” Suryadevara said. By developing open-source designs for cooling systems and power distribution, he’s helping companies adopt eco-friendly practices without high costs.
Setting Standards for Global Technology
In addition to creating new designs, Suryadevara also shapes the rules governing technology. He is a member of the ANSI SC4 Working Group, which develops international standards for EMC compliance. These rules ensure that devices like smartphones, computers, and AI systems work properly without interfering with each other.
The standards he helps write, such as the C63.10 guidelines, are used by engineers and companies worldwide. This work is becoming even more important as the global EMC market grows. Experts estimate that the market, worth nearly $7 billion in 2021, will reach almost $10 billion by 2028.
“Standards like C63.10 are not just checklists—they’re the backbone of trust in modern technology,” Suryadevara explained. His work helps balance innovation and reliability, ensuring new technologies can thrive without causing chaos.
From Education to Real-World Solutions
Suryadevara’s journey to becoming a leading figure in EMC began with his master’s degree in computer engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology. His academic background and hands-on experience in solving complex engineering challenges have given him a unique perspective on bridging theoretical knowledge with practical applications.
Since completing his education, he has built an impressive portfolio of successful projects demonstrating his commitment to practical problem-solving. His work spans multiple industries and applications, from developing EMC-compliant AI systems to creating energy-efficient cooling solutions for high-performance computing environments.
Building a Foundation for Tomorrow’s Technology
Suryadevara’s work is paving the way for the next generation of electronic systems. His contributions to EMC, sustainable data centers, and international standards are shaping how industries approach some of their toughest challenges.
With AI systems becoming more common and interconnected, the need for reliable and interference-free hardware will only grow. Suryadevara’s focus on sustainability and accessibility ensures that these systems can be high-performing and environmentally friendly.
His work shows how a practical and well-thought-out approach to engineering can create solutions that are not only innovative but also reliable, scalable, and sustainable. It’s a vision of technology that works for everyone, not just for today but also for the future.
