NXP here is displaying their development system for Apple HomeKit. It consists of an RGB LED lightbulb being controlled through the setup using Bluetooth LE, with Siri integration. It uses an ARM Cortex-M4 CPU. Also on display is a Point-of-Sale kit (SLN POS RDR). Lastly we see NXP’s modular IoT gateway that supports Zigbee, WiFi, Ethernet, and NFC.
Category: Tradeshows
Technologic Systems at ARM Techcon 2016
Arizona-based Technologic Systems makes boards for embedded applications using ARM CPUs and Linux support packages. Their field applications engineer displays a range of boards with Marvell, NXP, FreeScale Semiconductor, and Cavium processors. Their BAT12 system on display is meant to provide power backup for a few hours in case of loss. They also display their range of LCD monitors with full computers built onto the back of them.
Minix TV Boxes at ARM Techcon 2016
Minix is a Hong Kong-based set top box manufacturer that has on display their entire range here. The bestselling model uses an RK3188 CPU (quad-core Cortex-A9) with an Ethernet port, 1GB RAM and 16GB of NAND flash. The X7 and X7 mini, their most mature platform, is used by companies to use their own software which is then sold to end consumers utilising digital signage. The S905 uses a 64-bit CPU, and supports 30fps 4K video. There is also a model with a 3G/4G SIM card and a PCI-E port for adding faster wireless cards or SSDs.
ComTech IoT location providing hardware and software
ComTech, a company that makes location offerings, is displaying here their solutions for obtaining location on ARM mbed. On display are three mbed setups that use cellular networks, GPS, and WiFi. The company provides the APIs and the SDKs to ARM mbed, and offer a cloud service for assistance in finding locations.
DevicePilot IoT operational management
Keith Reed, CEO of DevicePilot, explains about operational management in IoT. The company helps companies that deploy smart solutions, to ensure that their smart devices are kept up-to-date with the latest firmware and that they are functional. An example for the company is one of their clients that supply fire alarms – DevicePilot assists in ensuring that the alarms are functional.
SpinDance IoT development service for ARM mbed Ecosystem
Tom Miller, VP of Marketing for SpinDance, discusses the functions of the company. SpinDance provides turnkey solutions for companies that want to make smart products. Their demo product is one that is intended to be used for disasters/emergencies; it consists of a split ball that can be thrown into a collapsed building, for example, to detect sound and measure temperature, humidity and air pressure.
ATGames Zuma Gamers Portal, gameplay streaming, chat, interactive
ATgames shows their ARM Powered video game streaming platform, streaming retro games and any game, their game broadcasting platform runs on the ARM Cortex-A15 server chip previously developed by Calxeda. The Zuma service client captures screenshots from a user which is then uploaded to their server. They also have on display the consoles, one being a handheld Sega/Atari console running on ARM Cortex-A7, and a Sega Genesis console running on ARM Cortex-A9. The company has apps for both Windows and Android.
Flexible Haptic feedback by Novasentis for AR/VR controllers, smartwatches, e-textiles and more
Novasentis CEO introduces their flexible, thin, light, multi output haptic technology, here demonstrating how it may be used to enhanse sensing for AR/VR applications where you already have video and audio, and the haptic feedback that can be customized for each finger and programmed so that you can get a variety of “sensations”, smart variable haptic frequencies can emulate the feeling of touching different materials in the AR/VR world. Francois did not name his customers but they are working with companies that are making AR/VR devices, gaming controllers and wearable devices. I have previously video blogged about the flexible wearable devices and they are making further progress with that application also where the haptic actuators are embedded into the smart watch strap. I can think of many more applications for this technology including smart clothing. Watch my channel to hear latest updates about Novasentis that is the only company that has this type of technology.
Color Boogie Boards and Toys from Kent Displays
Kent Display is a great display for hand writing, this is a technology that feels like paper. Dr Asad Khan the CTO for Kent Displays who is also the winner of the 2016 APS prize spoke to me about their newest products. They now have color Boogie Board, he also showed their transparent CH-LCD screen in a toy, called Play n Trace where children can learn to trace and draw in a fun way. Kent Displays has been supplying cholesteric LCD to the mobile phone and tablet accessories market, they are now shipping millions of devices and this business is growing. The display and the devices are rugged with sunlight readability outside. Also check out their new product sold thru TV, its called MagicSketch
Allwinner Double OS for 2-in-1 Laptop/Tablet market
Allwinner has developed Double OS together with the Phoenix OS team, to provide one UI optimized for keyboard/mouse in productivity mode and another stock Android UI for touch-screen use. You can watch my video showcasing the rest of the latest Allwinner powered devices on the market here
Instrumental helps find and fix issues on manufacturing lines
Instrumental is modernizing manufacturing, enabling customers to continuously improve their parts, processes, and products. Founded by two ex-Apple engineers, Anna Shedletsky and Samuel Weiss, Instrumental cuts inefficiencies in the hardware development and production process by capturing data that is normally lost and using computer vision and machine learning algorithms to extract useful information that can be used to improve parts, products, and processes. In this video, they demonstrate an Instrumental inspection system. It takes high resolution images at key states of product assembly, and enables engineers to inspect and take geometric measurements on those units minutes or weeks later. Instrumental customers have used the system to discover issues they didn’t know they had, and to quickly get to root cause, saving significant time and money during development and production. Customers have also tracked product quality, driven yield improvements, and set specifications remotely using Instrumental’s software. Their current customer base spans hardware, apparel, and top-tier manufacturers. Check out a customer case study to learn more about how Instrumental can support your development efforts, or visit them at http://www.instrumental.ai
This video was filmed at IDTechEx USA 2016
Movidius, computer vision for IoT, drones, smartphones, IP cameras and more to come
Movidius provides machine vision technology, they released Myriad 2, they claim to be the industry’s first always-on vision processor. It delivers high-performance computational imaging and visual awareness in devices where every last drop of battery power counts, performing at under 1.2W of power means Myriad 2 can be deployed into tiny IoT devices such as smart cameras, drones and wearables, featuring a balance between programmable and hard wired elements, giving developers immediate access to its advanced vision processing core, while also allowing them to develop proprietary capabilities through the Myriad development platform. Movidius is being acquired by Intel, you can read more here. Movidius won the Best IoT Technology development award at IDTechEx USA 2016, you can read more here.
Geniatech ATV1960 AmLogic S912 Octa-core with Dual TV Tuner
Geniatech ATV1960 Octa Core TV Box based on AmLogic S912, runs Android 5.1, supports 4K 10bit HEVC Hardware decode, Dual Digital TV Tuner built-in (ATSC/T2), one for live watching, another for recording. Support DLNA streaming. Geniatech Netstream Air for broadcasting from Tuner to the home or office.
Zoomtak V Plus on AmLogic S912
The Zoomtak V Plus Android TV box is based Amlogic-S912, Octa core A53 at 2.0GHz, in Alumium Housing, LED display, runs Andriod 6.0, with 2GB RAM, 16GB EMMC, Supports 4K2K H.265 hardware decode, HDR 10bit, Kodi 16.1, 1000M Ethernet. HDMI 2.0, Dual band ac wifi 2.4G/5.8G with Removable antenna.
Distributors can contact Zoomtak here:
Shenzhen Zoomtak Electronics Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86 755 29033689
Mob: +86 13538098986 (whatsapp)
Web: http://www.zoomtak.net
Email: joanna@zoomtak.net
Skype: joanna_zhouyu
Wechat: zoomtakjoanna
Zoomtak H8 Plus on AmLogic S905X
The Zoomtak H8 Plus Android TV box is based AmLogic S905x Quad core ARM Cortex-A53 at 2.0GHz, in Alumium Housing, running Andriod 6.0, with 2GB RAM, 8GB EMMC, Supports 4K2K H.265 hardware decode, HDR 10bit, Kodi 16.1, 100M Ethernet. HDMI 2.0, 2.4G WIFI, available in Silver and Black.
Distributors can contact Zoomtak here:
Shenzhen Zoomtak Electronics Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86 755 29033689
Mob: +86 13538098986 (whatsapp)
Web: http://www.zoomtak.net
Email: joanna@zoomtak.net
Skype: joanna_zhouyu
Wechat: zoomtakjoanna
CDT printed flexible OLED (low-cost)
Cambridge Display Technology Limited is developing printed low-cost flexible OLEDs that can offer low power, bespoke colours and long lifetime in everyday applications (read more: https://www.cdtltd.co.uk/technology-scope/flexoled/). The resulting OLEDs are thin and lightweight, with distributed icons over large areas achieving performances suitable for a wide range of consumer products, with demonstrated compatibility with touch sensor and NFC technologies. CDT is able to make RGBW OLEDs at less than 5V operating voltage. Low power requirements has enabled remote powering of OLEDs by NFC, and they are currently exploring ways to integrate into products with partner companies. The OLEDs are thin (less than0.3mm), lightweight and flexible, with long lifetimes. CDT is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical and our 100-strong interdisciplinary team has world-class expertise in physics, chemistry, engineering, microelectronics, materials and life sciences. CDT scientists work on a range of topics from fundamental understanding to optimising materials and devices for market applications. Current research themes include Organic Electronics, Energy Harvesting & Storage, Opto-Electronic Detection, Biosensors and OLED Displays and Lighting.
TwinTorq Electric-Hydraulic Engine extends range by 45% for EV Buses
KersTech develops and manufactures their TwinTorq motor providing they claim a major leap in energy efficiency over conventional electric motors, significantly increasing driving range and runtime. The TwinTorq motor combines an electric motor with a hydraulic motor in a single compact unit, with the hydraulic motor providing high efficiency starting torque at slower speeds and the electric motor high efficiency running torque at higher speeds. Both the electric and hydraulic systems regenerate energy during deceleration to replenish the battery and hydraulic accumulator in their respective speed ranges. The hydraulic motor can be disengaged during electric mode. Controller software manages the electric and hydraulic systems to optimize energy usage. The net effect is that the hydraulic power at low speed/high torque reduces battery demand to preserve electric energy and increase battery range by up to 45%, or enables the use of smaller batteries. And because they use hydraulics for launch acceleration and energy regeneration, minimizing high battery charges and discharges, they are kinder to batteries so they last longer. The TwinTorq motor uses simple physics and proven, reliable technologies in a novel fashion. Because hydraulic motors are 3 times more efficient than electric motors for acceleration and brake energy regeneration at lower speeds, during deceleration they recover energy hydraulically, as pressure in an accumulator. Then they release the pressure to accelerate the vehicle without using the electric motor and battery. There’s the big energy saving, because high-torque acceleration chews up battery energy. By replacing low efficiency electric energy with high efficiency hydraulic energy during launch and low speed acceleration the TwinTorq motor preserves battery energy to increase driving range and runtime by up to 45%. TwinTorq’s unique design integrates shared electric and hydraulic components, reducing component and production costs. The motor’s coaxial and coplanar architecture in combination with their patented 90° gear drive enables axial compactness or “flatness”, allowing low-in- the-chassis mounting to improve space utilization and lower center of gravity. TwinTorq is an ideal solution for commercial electric vehicles with frequent-start- stop drive cycles where range and battery life directly impacts productivity and operating cost. Their first application is electric forklifts, because 65% of new forklifts are already electric, and then we’ll address city and shuttle buses; garbage, freight and parcel trucks; and other heavy electric vehicles. This video was filmed at the IDTechEx USA 2016 in Santa Clara, California.
Cavium Octeon TX, 64bit ARMv8 for networking, security and storage
Cavium, a fabless semiconductor company based in California, has on display here their Octeon TX 81XX board. It has a quad-core ARMv8 processor for embedded applications, going up to 24 cores. The demo setup consists of an IoT gateway, using temperature and humidity sensors. It can use Bluetooth, WiFi, or cellular data.
Silicon Labs Flex Gecko 32bit wireless SoC
Silicon Labs, a US-based silicon, software and IoT developer, has demoed here their Flex Gecko 32-bit wireless multi-protocol SoC that runs on ARM’s mbed platform. It has support for 2.4GHz frequency band and 6LoWPAN, allowing for transmission over IEEE 802.15.4. It can also support Bluetooth Low Energy specification. The MCU can use ARM Cortex-M3 or M4 for processing. If you have a license for white band or sub Ghz band then it can also be configured to send and receive the data at 600Mhz and 700Mhz. It can work with a power as high as 20 dBm.
Keynote: Nuon Solar Team Solar Car: Together We Power The Future
The Nuon Solar Team has been building and racing solar cars since 2001. They have participated in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge eight times and placed first six times. The race is 3000+ kilometres through the desert of Australia from Darwin to Adelaide or in South Africa from Pretoria to Cape Town, were this team of students from the Technical University Delft have done their utmost best to win the race. The Keynote speaker here is Winnifred Noorlander, she has been studying Civil Engineering at the Technical University since 2013. Since the beginning of this year she has been responsible for the Public Relations of the Nuon Solar Team. She takes care of organizing events for the team and also helps with manufacturing the solar car whenever possible. With a passion for high-end technologies and sustainability she will do everything she can to keep the world title solar racing in Holland.