Revolutionizing Domestic Life: The Role of Home Robots in Electronics
Integrating robotics in electronics is transforming how we live, work, and manage our homes. Home robots, powered by advanced electronic systems, are no longer a futuristic dream but a reality reshaping domestic life. From automated vacuum cleaners to intelligent personal assistants, these innovations bring convenience, efficiency, and an enhanced quality of life to households. With rapid advancements in AI and sensor technology, home robots are becoming smarter and more adaptable, meeting the diverse needs of modern homes.
ams OSRAM has revealed the TMF8806 next-generation single-zone direct Time-of-Flight (dToF) sensor module for obstacle detection and collision avoidance in home and industrial robotics applications.
The new sensor extends ams OSRAM’s dToF family, already adopted in over 50 flagship smartphone models as well as in autonomous appliances and smart-home devices, bringing enhanced performance and increased versatility. With new ultra-low-power operation, the TMF8806 can be switched off completely between measurements, and the very fast startup time thanks to the pre-installed firmware provides instant response to events. Also featuring enhanced 1 cm to 5 m ranging capability, and with 1.2 V- and 1.8 / 3.3V compatible I/Os, the TMF8806 brings the speed and precision of dToF sensing to home appliances, mobile robots, autofocus for cameras, building automation, inventory management systems, security systems, virtual barriers and more.
“This compact yet powerful sensor redefines precision and performance, offering unmatched accuracy for diverse applications,” says David Smith, Product Manager Time-of-Flight at ams OSRAM . “With its ultra-short light pulse technology, extended detection range, and energy-efficient design, the TMF8806 ensures rapid, low-power measurements in any environment,” he added.
Leveraging proven dToF technology, the TMF8806 captures precise distance measurements by measuring the time to send and receive ultra-short light pulses. The technology ensures accurate, low-power measurements with rapid response times for superior resolution and precision. Statistical processing in the sensor eliminates interference effects from reflections to ensure consistently high accuracy. Additionally, the sensor offers a 24° Field of View (FoV) and operates from -40°C to 85°C. Its compact dimensions, at just 3.6 x 2.2 x 1.0 mm, ease integration into applications with limited space.
The TMF8806 offers enhanced single-zone detection with an extended range of 1cm to 2.5 m in standard mode and up to 5 m in long-range mode. It supports a wide range of cover glass thicknesses and allows easy adjustments to the distance from the sensor to the cover glass, for customizing the optical stack. Designed for energy efficiency, the TMF8806 reduces current to as low as 0.26 µA in ultra-low-power shutdown mode.
Easy-to-use tools simplify the developer’s workload, with hardware including the TMF8806-Shield Board, an Arduino ® Uno R3 platform for quick evaluation, and a small sensor breakaway board that allows easy integration into custom hardware. The plug-and-play modules are ready to use without downloading firmware, allowing developers to start working on their next projects instantly. A Universal GUI provides a comprehensive graphical user interface for visualization and control of the TMF8806, and sample Python scripts for logging and calibration are provided. The AMS OSRAM GitHub repository has more drivers and software examples.
Here you can find more information on the TMF8806 Single-Zone Time-of-Flight Sensor and its capabilities.
Decarbonization and digitalization are the two central challenges of our time, but they rely on new and advanced technologies.
Infineon Technologies AG will demonstrate how its innovative semiconductor solutions support and drive these advancements. Microcontrollers in particular play an important role as they are at the heart of a wide range of applications, from electric vehicles and renewable energy systems to smart homes and industrial automation. For this reason, Infineon showcases high-quality microcontrollers designed with the latest technologies and innovative features such as enhanced security and high accuracy, offering excellent performance with low power consumption.
Under the motto "Driving decarbonization and digitalization. Together." Infineon invites its customers to Embedded World 2024 to demonstrate innovative semiconductor solutions contributing to a more sustainable future. In addition, customers can register for Infineon's digital platform – the perfect place to dive deeper into the various technologies presented at EW during and after the event. The Infineon booth in Hall 4A (booth #138) will present highlights from the consumer and IoT, automotive, and industrial sectors.
Consumer and IoT: With its broad portfolio of IoT solutions, Infineon supports manufacturers in providing consumers with more comfortable, secure, and energy-efficient homes and buildings by utilizing the company's latest microcontroller, sensor, security, and connectivity solutions. In this area, visitors will discover:
Automotive: As a leading supplier of automotive solutions, Infineon focuses on making smart cars a reality with proven microcontroller, connectivity, security, and sensor technologies for the industry. The company's microelectronics play a critical role in delivering zero-emission vehicles that are smart, connected, safe and reliable.
Industrial: Infineon supports smart factories and provides manufacturers with a broad sensor portfolio and an extensive partner network. In this way, the company enables reliable data acquisition and processing that enables condition monitoring and predictive maintenance in various Industry 4.0 use cases:
At the Infineon booth, the company has set up a comprehensive series of TechTalks. The seven presentations will cover a wide range of different topics, from software to products, and from consumers to industry. Full details of all Infineon conference presentations, technical workshops and TechTalks can be found here. Daily program of the Tech Talks
New reference design supports up to 48V@5A Power Delivery Object sink mode, which is the highest level achievable with the latest USB Power Delivery standards.
Arrow Electronics and Infineon Technologies AG have introduced the 240W USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.1 reference design board to support customer projects requiring high power capabilities. The new design demonstrates the USB PD 3.1 Extended Power Range (EPR) software and schematics implementation example allowing to achieve up to 240W power sink from a single USB source.
The reference design further extends the existing power sink capabilities of Infineon’s EZ-PDTM PMG1 family of high-voltage microcontrollers from 140W up to 240W, which is important in such power-demanding and fast-charging applications as light electric vehicles (eBikes, eScooters and personal mobility devices), drones and mobile robots, professional AV equipment, power tools, medical equipment, home appliances, home entertainment devices, etc.
This 240W Sink reference design board REF_ARIF240WS3 complements the recently released Infineon USB PD3.1 Source evaluation board REF_XDPS2222_240W1. This allows design engineers to be among the first on the market with the complete 240W USB PD3.1 Source-Sink solution.
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Both reference designs are available on request. In addition to technical support, Arrow offers a range of technical support services, including schematic customization and PCB modifications, helping to maximize the potential of customers' designs and reduce time-to-market.
Arrow Electronics and its engineering services company eInfochips assist customers in the development of high-power solutions both with Arrow’s engineering solutions centre and the recently established High-Power Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Swindon, United Kingdom.
The first two STSPIN9 devices of the high-current motor-drive series target high-end industrial and home and professional appliances.
The 4.5A STSPIN948 and 5.0A STSPIN958 integrate PWM control logic and a 58V power stage with system protection and two operational amplifiers for current sensing. Suitable for driving brushed DC motors and bipolar stepper motors, both ICs allow flexibility and scalability while streamlining the bill of materials.
The STSPIN948 contains two full bridges that can be configured to work in different modalities giving developers flexibility to drive multiple and differently-rated motors in several configurations. With a choice of current control based on PWM with fixed off-time or a programmable threshold, the STSPIN948 can be used in five different modes. This 4.5A IC is packaged as a 7mm x 7mm VQFPN48.
The STSPIN958 contains a single full bridge that can be configured to drive two unidirectional motors, one bidirectional brushed DC motor, or one higher-current unidirectional motor by parallelizing the outputs. With the same choices of fixed off-time and programmable current control, as well as dual half-bridge, single full-bridge, and half-bridge parallel connections, this IC supports seven different driving methods. The 5.0A STSPIN958 is housed in a 5mm x 5mm VFQFPN32 package.
With their wide operating voltage range and flexibility, the STSPIN948 and STSPIN958 motor drivers can be used in a variety of industrial applications. These include factory automation systems, textile machines, industrial and home robots, stage lighting, ATM and money handling machines, antenna controllers, vending machines, and most common home and industrial appliances.
Both drivers let the designer program the output transistors’ slew rate to 0.3V/ns, 0.6V/ns, 1.2V/ns, or 2V/ns using an external resistor, to guarantee the best trade-off between power consumption and electromagnetic compatibility targets. Dead time is built in to prevent shoot through and each MOSFET’s on-resistance of only 200mΩ helps maximize operating efficiency. The very short propagation delay, at 280ns, ensures a fast dynamic response to system commands.
Each IC benefits from a complete set of protection features including overcurrent, overtemperature and short-circuit protection, and low bus-voltage detection with under-voltage lockout (UVLO).
Affordable and easy-to-use evaluation boards are available to accelerate development using these devices. The EVSPIN948 drives up to two motors using the STSPIN948, while the EVSPIN958 drives a single motor with the STSPIN958. Each is designed for use as an expansion card and is compatible with most STM32 Nucleo boards as well as the Arduino® UNO R3 connector.
Eggtronic introduces a 30W wireless charger evaluation board for rapid prototyping and development of high-efficiency, low-component-count wireless power transfer applications in electric bikes, scooters, home appliances, industrial tools, drones, and domestic robots.
Based on a reference design that combines Eggtronic’s EPIC (Eggtronic Power Integrated Controller) IC with a proprietary conversion architecture, the new evaluation board allows engineers to create applications that provide efficiency levels comparable to conventional wired AC/DC power supplies. Advanced safety features include FOD (Foreign Object Detection) and safeguards against OPP (Over Power Protection), OVP (Over Voltage Protection), OCP (Overcurrent Protection), OTP (Over Temperature Protection), SCP (Short Circuit Protection), and BOP (Brown Out Protection) ensure reliable and safe operation in a diverse range of environments.
The high-performance wireless charger board features a continuous 30W output power with direct AC input, eliminating the need for external adapters. It supports CC/CV battery charging and achieves overall efficiency exceeding 82% (from the AC input on the transmitter side to the DC output on the receiver side) and above 91% DC-to-DC / coil-to-coil efficiency at 30W.
This performance surpasses existing wireless power solutions and is in line with that of traditional corded AC/DC adapters yet the Bill of Materials is significantly lower, ensuring optimum cost efficiency. Performance can be further improved - exceeding not only other wireless power solutions but even the majority of existing corded AC/DC adapters - by choosing Eggtronic’s options for maximum performance, such as GaN FETs and semi-active input bridge rectifier architectures.
“As manufacturers seek sustainable and efficient power solutions, Eggtronic's high-performance wireless charger architectures offer a cost-effective transformative alternative to conventional wired adapters,” says Eggtronic founder and CEO Igor Spinella. “The new evaluation board based on our innovative reference design showcases our commitment to pushing the boundaries of wireless power technology, setting new standards for efficiency and performance at the same time as reducing component count and cost.”
At the heart of the new board is Eggtronic's EPIC IC technology. Incorporated into both the transmitter and receiver sides of the design, the mixed-signal, low-power controller with a 32-bit RISC-V core and a rich set of analog and digital peripherals enables multi-mode operation and facilitates the integration of multiple functions. This integration significantly reduces the Bill of Materials (BOM) by minimising the number of ICs needed, thereby enhancing cost-effectiveness and simplifying product development.
Unique to Eggtronic's approach is the EPIC IC's ability, within a single device, to manage AC/DC conversion on the transmitter side and oversee receiver-side functions such as battery charging. This streamlined architecture not only enhances efficiency but also improves reliability by minimising energy losses through ZVS-ZCS (zero voltage switching, zero current switching) under various load conditions thanks to proprietary firmware control algorithms.
The new board is based on a series-resonance wireless power transfer, which can be compatible with the Qi standard. When Qi compatibility is not required and higher power transfer is required, designers can choose to deploy Eggtronic’s E2WATT proprietary architecture, which integrates AC/DC and DC/AC stages into a single, highly efficient solution. Operating with up to 92% efficiency and delivering up to 300W, E2WATT delivers all the benefits of wireless power transmission with performance comparable to top-tier wired AC adapters, while reducing both active and passive component counts by 50%.
Offering several advantages over Hall-Effect technology, the Bourns SSD digital smart shunt sensors feature a 16-bit automotive-grade microcontroller, a 24-bit ADC with buffered analogue inputs, plus flash memory with error correction code (ECC) capabilities.
With ±0.1% full-scale accuracy, they can determine current values from 100A (2kA peak) to 1kA (20kA peak) in ambient operating temperatures from -40°C to +115°C. Applications include batteries, renewable energy, motor drives, and EV charging systems. For greater system design versatility, engineers can choose either RS485 or CANbus interfacing.
Tried and tested in tough automotive exhaust systems at temperatures up to 1200°C, the KYOCERA AVX high-temperature sensors (HTS) have been made adaptable for various industrial, test lab and smart home applications. The thermocouple sensors feature a USB connector, making communication and power supply very easy, even for a standard laptop.
Suitable for wide application temperatures from -200°C to 1000°C, the YAGEO Nexensos sensors are based on the company’s platinum thin film technology. These sensors are used in many of @TTI’s key markets, including e-mobility, industrial processing, energy management, home appliances, electronics, health and life science, and automotive exhaust gas treatment.
TTI, Inc. will also show a wide range of accelerometers, inclinometers, and gyro sensors from Murata. The new SCH16T-K01 six-degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) inertial sensor combines an XYZ-axis gyroscope and XYZ-axis accelerometer to deliver high-precision measurements in machine control and positioning applications without needing field calibrations.
The LMI series from TE Connectivity can detect small changes in pressure. The extremely low gas flow through the sensor ensures high immunity to dust contamination and long tubing compared to other flow-based pressure sensors. These highly accurate low-pressure components are suited for medical applications like ventilators and nebulisers, as well as industrial applications, including HVAC and gas leak detection systems.
Battery safety sensors, such as the battery aerosol sensor (BAS) and battery pressure sensor (BPS) from Honeywell, provide early detection of thermal runaway in Li-ion battery packs of electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESS). The BAS series detects the presence and concentration of aerosols such as smoke, liquid, and debris from 200μg/m³ to 10000μg/m³n and has a factory-programmed thermal runaway warning threshold of 5000μg/m³.
The BPS series measures pressure changes from 50kPa to 300kPa absolute and has settable warning thresholds for both absolute pressure and rate of change of pressure. The high-accuracy and low-temperature drift measurements are transmitted to the battery management system (BMS) using CAN communication.TTI will also introduce to visitors on the stand a range of reed sensors from Littelfuse. The newly launched 59177 series ultra-miniature over-moulded reed switch can handle up to 170Vdc or 0.23A at up to 10W. The component operates without consuming any power, making it ideal for high-speed switching security, metering, and portable battery-powered IoT applications. On request, a sample kit with a demo board is available for these reed sensors.
The Amphenol Advanced Sensors display includes pressure, temperature and air quality sensors and assemblies designed for use in transportation, industrial and healthcare applications. TTI will showcase the Piher brand HRPM Hall-effect rotary position sensors with programmable angular ranges from 50° to 360° for harsh environments industrial, transportation, marine, and home and building automation applications. These sensors are based on a touchless operation concept with the magnet mounted on the actuated axis, increasing reliability and lifetime.
Also on the TTI stand will be gas sensor technologies from SGX Sensortech. The range includes catalytic sensors, MEMS pellistors, infrared sensors, thermal conductivity sensors, electrochemical sensors, PID VOC sensors, solid polymer sensors, and metal oxide sensors. The MICS-VZ-89TE module makes the process of detecting indoor air quality simple, providing a swift response to changes in the levels of a wide range of VOCs and, hence, air quality.
Omron Electronics B5L 3D time-of-flight (ToF) sensor module, offers accurate distance measurement of near and far objects, regardless of colour, reflectivity, ambient light, or other conditions. Target applications include autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), service robots, logistics and warehousing, and building management applications.
Conclusion
Home robots are set to redefine the future of domestic living by providing smarter solutions for everyday tasks. As electronics and robotics continue to evolve, we can expect more intelligent, efficient, and reliable robots to enter our homes, improving comfort and freeing up time for more meaningful activities. The era of home automation is here, and its impact on our daily lives is only just beginning.