Refers to a device that solves a problem itself without passing the request to another computer in the network. For example, the onboard intelligence in the Alexa virtual assistant "listens" for the wake word and then sends most queries to the Internet (the cloud) to obtain the answer. However, when the majority of Alexa models are offline, their onboard intelligence can set alarms and reminders, announce the time as well as control lights, switches and other smart home devices. See
onboard and
virtual assistant.