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“You really need to develop a whole product solution—hardware, software, UI, interfaces, and process redesign—with a consideration for what problem you are really trying to solve.” —Aldo Zini
Getting large teams of robots to collaborate is the work of Dr Regis Vincent, who envisions applications that include mapping nuclear contamination.
What obstacles remain for robots to work alongside humans in industrial settings, and how far have we come in eliminating those challenges? Dr. Roland Menassa answers these and other questions in his presentation at the RoboBusiness summit November 2-3 in Boston.
John Reid, director of Product Technology and Innovation at Moline Technology Innovation Center, a part of John Deere’s Global Technology Innovation Network, discusses how his company’s technologies will help feed the world’s billions.
Mark Ingebretsen
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STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a supplier of MEMS for consumer and portable applications, has extended its motion-sensor portfolio with a 3-axis digital-output accelerometer that combines a drastically reduced power consumption – more than 90% lower than available solutions on the market - with miniature footprint and enhanced functionality.
With operating current consumption as low as 2 microamps, the 3x3x1 mm accelerometer is a perfect fit for motion-sensing features and applications in space- and power-constrained consumer devices, such as mobile phones, remotes and game controllers. The sensor provides extremely accurate output across full-scale ranges of ±2g/±4g/±8g/±16g, boasting excellent stability over time and temperature.
The LIS3DH accelerometer contains a temperature sensor and three analog-to-digital converter channels for easy integration with companion chips, such as gyroscopes. It embeds a host of enhanced features, including click and double-click recognition, 4D/6D orientation detection, and the power-saving sleep-to-wake-up mode. In this mode, the device keeps the read chain active and wakes up when an event occurs, automatically increasing the output data rate.
Other important features include a programmable FIFO (first-in first-out) memory block and two programmable interrupt signals that enable immediate notification of motion detection, click/double-click events, and other conditions.
The latest addition in ST’s MEMS portfolio, the LIS3DH has been designed and produced using the same manufacturing-process technology that ST has already successfully applied to more than 700 million motion sensors sold in the market.
The device is pin-to-pin and software-compatible with all ST accelerometers in the LIS331 family, so customers can easily ‘hot swap’ and protect their investment in application development.
Volume production is scheduled for early Q3 2010 and the unit price is $0.85 in quantities of 100,000 pieces. For further information on ST’s complete MEMS portfolio go to http://www.st.com/mems.
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions. ST aims to be the undisputed leader in multimedia convergence and power applications leveraging its vast array of technologies, design expertise and combination of intellectual property portfolio, strategic partnerships and manufacturing strength. In 2009, the Company’s net revenues were $8.51 billion. Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com.
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