The Jetson line from NVIDIA has quickly become a vital tool in the field of AI advancement. With its ability merge powerful computing with accessibility and cost-efficiency, it has become a go-to for developers and enthusiasts alike. Designed for AI applications, especially edge computing and robotics, it offers a flexible toolkit to bring their concepts to reality.
The most recent member of the family, the Jetson Orin Nano Super Development Kit, illustrates this advancement through its powerful combination of cost-effectiveness, performance, and user-friendliness.

Source: Nvidia YouTube Channel)
A remarkable shift in the development of cost-effective AI technology.
Jetson Orin Nano Super Development Kit offers powerful AI priced at $249, compared to $550 for its predecessor. This marks a huge and historic shift in AI development and its democratization. AI development is now accessible to startups, educators, and enthusiasts without hefty costs.
NVIDIA Jetson specs:
- NVIDIA Ampere architecture based GPU with 1024 CUDA cores and 32 tensor cores
- A six-core ARM Cortex A78 CPU
- 8 GB of low-power 128 bits DDR5 RAM with a memory bandwidth of 102 GB/s
Together, they pump a maximum of 67 TOPS (trillions of operations per second) in AI performance while ensuring smooth operations. This makes it an ideal choice for running large language models (LLMs) and other heavy AI workloads.
NVIDIA Jetson Applications and Versatility
The Jetson Orin Nano Super is designed to be exceptional in various applications:
- A comprehensive I/O configuration: This includes several USB ports, Ethernet connectivity, and dual camera connectors. Makes it suitable for robotics and multimedia processing initiatives.
- Availability of two M.2 slots: Enhanced storage offers developers freedom to customize the device to their needs.
- Ability to natively run LLMs: Successfully runs local models such as Llama 3.2, eliminating the necessity for constant internet connection. This native processing advantage is particularly beneficial for edge computing applications, where low latency and data privacy are crucial factors.
- Impressive gaming capabilities: The GPU allows for the running of PlayStation 3 titles through emulators, showcasing its strong performance.
NVIDIA Jetson: Legacy and Future Innovations
The Jetson family of NVIDIA has always kept progressing in artificial intelligence, starting with its TK and TX1 models. The forthcoming Orin line promises to provide up to 5-8 times more power than its predecessors. Thanks to NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture and deep learning accelerators, the Orin is already a top contender in edge AI technology.
NVIDIA introduced their latest addition to the field of generative AI hardware at GTC 2024 – the Jetson Thor. Boasting advanced transformer inference capabilities and impressive floating-point performance, the Thor series is specifically tailored for upcoming AI applications. This announcement demonstrates NVIDIA’s dedication to remaining at the forefront of a constantly evolving and competitive market.
Also see: How other industry leaders, OpenAI and Google, are driving AI innovation with their latest advancements in AI technology.
Practical Considerations for Developers
When choosing a Jetson board, it is crucial to carefully consider the project’s needs, budget limitations, and desired results.
For hobbyists and educational purposes: The entry-level Jetson Nano is a practical option. It is affordable and has sufficient processing power for most basic tasks. However, for projects involving multiple models or large datasets, Orin NX or AGX would be a better choice.
With older models like Xavier NX and AGX approaching the end-of-life phase, developers should switch to the latest versions to future-proof software upgrades. This proactive strategy will be beneficial for developers seeking to secure long-term protection for their projects.
Implications for AI and Robotics
The accessibility and performance of the Jetson series have profound implications for AI and robotics. NVIDIA has created an environment that fosters innovation across industries by opening up the gates to innovation. Powering autonomous drones, intelligent surveillance, and real-time natural language processing are just some of the examples.
Educational institutions, in particular, have much to gain from this advanced technology. With the Orin Nano Super, very high-end AI becomes accessible to academic programs, encouraging future developers and researchers.
Moreover, Jetson’s capabilities can also be utilized by startups and small businesses. They can now create and implement AI applications without the expense of infrastructure.
Driving Innovation Forward
The NVIDIA Jetson series remains at the forefront of artificial intelligence development platforms. NVIDIA has combined robustness, adaptability and user-friendliness into a compact design as exemplified by the Jetson Orin Nano Super Development Kit.
This platform will help in pushing innovations in AI and robotics to facilitates revolutionary applications previously considered sci-fi.