STMicroelectronics expanded its NanoEdge AI Studio machine-learning design software with support for smart sensors that contain ST’s embedded Intelligent Sensor Processing Unit (ISPU). The new release extends the market-unique tool’s capability to enable on-device learning of AI models for anomaly detection inside intelligent sensors. Designers can now use NanoEdge AI Studio to distribute inference workloads across […]
What makes a cobot unique from a robot?
Unlike robots whose roots trace back to 1962 or even sooner, collaborative robots or cobots trace their roots to 1996 – over 34 years later. While the robot is an autonomous machine that functions without human control, a cobot employs artificial intelligent (AI) to perform tasks in collaboration with human workers. Major sensor technologies used […]
Ultra-wideband proximity sensors enable power-saving interactivity in smart appliances, chargers, smart locks
An upgraded ultra-wideband (UWB) proximity sensor enhances LCD screen lifetime, increases interactivity and gives devices an automated, power-saving mechanism. Its approach detection feature lights the display immediately upon approach and turns it off automatically once a person leaves the detection zone. Through contextual awareness, the device knows your intentions and is ready when you are. […]
Inductive position sensors optimized for EV motor control
The LX34070 IC has been purpose-built for EV motor control applications. It includes differential outputs, fast sample rates and features that make it functional-safety-ready for ISO 26262 compliance in the Automotive Safety Integrity Level–C (ASIL–C) classification. “The LX34070 inductive position sensor enables lighter, smaller, more reliable motor control solutions that meet stringent safety requirements, reduce […]
What software-definable sensors are available now?
Sensor designers are pursuing software-defined (or programmable) sensors for their increased relevance and applications in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Automobiles are one market segment that can benefit from over-the-air (OTA) update capabilities and automakers have the resources to make significant changes to implement them. OTA updates are one way to future proof vehicles, […]
Smart service web application from SICK
SICK is launching Monitoring Box, the latest offering to curate, visualize, and analyze status data from SICK sensors. Effective and timely condition monitoring is essential to the success of any factory or logistics center. But how do you accurately monitor machinery to know when maintenance is required before a fault occurs? To solve this challenge,…
Incremental encoders offer 16 quadrature resolutions from 96 to 4096 PPR
CUI Devices’ Motion Group announced the introduction of a new series to its AMT incremental encoder family. Based on the existing AMT11 series package, the new AMT11A series is not subject to silicon-related lead time constraints and can serve as a drop-in replacement for AMT11 encoder models. AMT11A encoders offer 16 quadrature resolutions from 96 to 4096 PPR, selectable via […]
LPPS-22 series linear potentiometer travel sensor with rod end joints
Harold G. Schaevitz Industries (HGSI) has expanded its sensor product offering by adding resistive technology to its portfolio of linear position sensors. The LPPS-22 series of linear potentiometers offer a cost-effective solution to sensing requirements in the factory automation marketplace. LPPS-22 series potentiometers are expertly constructed to satisfy applications like automotive, robotic control, X-Y table […]
Human presence detection and you
By Charles Pao, Senior Marketing Specialist at CEVA Mobile phones and tablets are getting more powerful, but if you’re serious about doing work (remotely), the dedicated work laptop still reigns supreme. Privacy and productivity have become increasingly important in this new paradigm of working anywhere. To help with both in the age of mobile computing, […]
How can mature sensors create new sensing opportunities?
Pulse oximetry (blood oxygen saturation level in %SpO2) and pulse rate (in beats per minute) have been performed with clamp on the finger measurements for many years. With their built-in display, they are intended for either a health care professional or even the user reading of the measurements. In some instances, these devices even provide […]
Block-based Editor: create vision apps without programming knowledge
The current software release 2.6 for the AI vision system IDS NXT focuses primarily on simplifying app creation. The initial phase in the development is often one of the greatest challenges in the realization of a project. With the help of the new Application Assistant in IDS NXT lighthouse, users configure a complete vision app […]
Linear position sensor supply shortage?
A wide range of industries is showing significant supply chain issues. However, the Michigan-based manufacturer of Gemco linear position sensors, AMETEK Factory Automation, has proven they can still deliver in a timely manner. In the past couple of years, an increasing supply shortage due to various factors has caused manufacturing and on-time delivery issues. On […]
Teledyne announces AI enhancements to its Sapera Vision Software
Teledyne is pleased to announce its Sapera Vision Software Edition 2022-05 is now available. Sapera Vision Software from Teledyne DALSA offers field-proven image acquisition, control, image processing, and artificial intelligence functions to design, develop and deploy high-performance machine vision applications. The new upgrades include enhancements to its AI training graphical tool Astrocyte and its image […]
What sensors are used in AR/VR systems?
A wide range of sensor technologies is required to support augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) systems. Today’s AR/VR implementations are mostly focused on visual and audio interfaces and rely on motion tracking and listening/voice recognition sensors. That’s beginning to change with new types of sensors and various types of haptics being introduced. This FAQ […]
What’s an acoustic leak detector?
Acoustic leak detection sensor technologies rely on the fact that liquid and gas leaks are noisy. However, it’s not necessarily a noise that the human ear can detect, it can be in the ultrasonic region. Leaky water pipes are a significant environmental challenge – UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 6 states that clean (drinking) water […]
Touchless angle sensorssport IO-Link output interface
Novotechnik U.S. introduces the RFC4800 Series of touchless angle sensors measuring angular position up to 360°, revolution counter, and speed—without wear. The RFC 4800 is now available with an IO-Link output interface. Its serial communication protocol needs only three wires to transmit measured values and status information simultaneously. The status bit can signal a controller […]
How can sensors help cleanup waterways?
Twenty years after its first-generation design was introduced (2002), iRobot’s Roomba has spawned many competitors for indoor cleanup and made several advancements to its initial capabilities. Interactive Autonomous Dynamic Systems (IADYS) has applied the autonomous robot concept to address cleaner and safer water in rivers, canals, lakes, ponds, shipyards and more. IADYS’ Jellyfishbot autonomously collects […]
How do sensors improve wind turbine performance?
Wind turbines are very complex machines. It takes a lot of sensors to ensure their continuous operation generating green energy. This FAQ reviews some of the sensors used to monitor wind turbine operations, such as: Eddy current sensors monitor the lubricating gap of the shaft, how the turbine shaft rotates both axially and radially inside […]
Human-like skin sensor detects objects for robotics apps
BeBop Sensors, Inc. announced the BeBop Sensors RoboSkin line of skin-like coverings for tactile awareness for humanoid robots and prosthetics. A true nervous system for robots at less than 1mm thick, RoboSkin is the only technology that fits all robotic body parts: limbs, fingers, feet, head, and torso, to make robots “feel” better. RoboSkin’s advanced fabric-based sensor skin […]
How are sensors involved in the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge?
Released earlier this year, the National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan addresses several areas to safely get Americans back to their more normal routines. One of the key points of the Preparedness Plan is the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge (CAiBC). The CAiBC calls on all building owners and operators, schools, colleges and universities, and organizations of […]
How can a machine recognize hand gestures?
Gesture recognition is a user interface that allows computers to capture and interpret non-verbal communication, including facial expressions, head movements, body positioning, and hand motions as commands. Hand gestures are an increasingly common mode of computer control, and the types of sensors used to recognize hand gestures is growing. This FAQ briefly reviews how hand […]
Want to feel better?
With its 1-mm thick RoboSkin smart fabric sensor technology, BeBop Sensors, Inc. can provide tactile awareness for humanoid robots and prosthetics so they can feel interactions similar to humans. The skin-like coverings enable a true nervous system and human-like touch sensing of objects for any part of a robot including limbs, fingers, feet, head and […]
How many types of radar are there?
Radio detection and ranging (radar) uses reflected radio waves to detect and determine the distance, angle, and velocity of objects relative to the radar system. A basic radar system consists of a transmitter producing electromagnetic waves in the radio or microwave spectrum (these can be pulsed or continuous), a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna (often […]
New Alliance linear position transducers from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added new stainless steel linear variable inductance transducers (LVITs) from Alliance Sensors Group to their growing lineup of linear position sensors. These sensors convert the linear displacement of an object into a proportional analog output of 0 to 10 VDC or 4 to 20mA (depending on model). The compact LZ13 series has a […]
Case Study: Vision-based sports analytics for Europe’s top football clubs
Football is not only the world’s favorite pastime but also a multi-billion-dollar industry. Individual players can command millions of dollars in salaries and transfer fees. With so much at stake, coaches and scouts need to make the most informed personnel choices, then, keep their players on top condition. For the most advanced real-time empirical data, […]