Robotics & Automation News

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STMicroelectronics teams up with REV Robotics’ battlebot

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Semiconductor company STMicroelectronics is contributing multiple STM32 microcontrollers (MCUs) to REV Robotics’ “Switchback” battlebot.

The 250-pound battlebot, which uses a dual-motor drum spinner mounted on a fully-ambidextrous arm, is designed for durability and serviceability – as well as to win robot battles by hitting opponent robots really, really hard, and breaking them apart with the drum spinner.

The Switchback battlebot, premiering in battle on the Discovery Channel on January 6th, 2022 and on display in ST’s private suite at CES 2022, uses five heavy-duty electronic speed controllers with open-source firmware, implemented with STM32 MCUs. [Read more…] about STMicroelectronics teams up with REV Robotics’ battlebot

NXP unveils new chips featuring enhanced Bluetooth capabilities for automotive and industrial markets

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NXP Semiconductors has launched new devices within its KW3x range of microcontrollers (MCUs). The new KW39/38/37 MCUs add Bluetooth 5.0 long-range capabilities and expanded Bluetooth advertising channels.

These enhancements are made while offering seamless migration with hardware, software and tools compatibility with the previous generation of devices, KW34/35/36.

The connectivity MCUs allow Bluetooth LE devices to communicate at distances of more than a mile and increase the amount of Bluetooth advertising channels and advertising data within the Bluetooth standard, the predominant IoT protocol. [Read more…] about NXP unveils new chips featuring enhanced Bluetooth capabilities for automotive and industrial markets

NXP expands partnership with Microsoft Azure RTOS

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NXP Semiconductors has expanded its partnership with Microsoft to bring Microsoft Azure real-time operating system (RTOS) to a broader range of processing solutions from its EdgeVerse portfolio.

The collaborative efforts will give NXP’s developer community using MCUXpresso Software and Tools seamless access to the capabilities of Azure RTOS, including fully integrated middleware and tools for file management, graphical user interface, security, networking, and wired/wireless connectivity.

Currently, Azure RTOS support is available for many of NXP’s low-power, secure 32-bit LPC and i.MX RT crossover microcontrollers (MCUs). [Read more…] about NXP expands partnership with Microsoft Azure RTOS

NXP launches new bluetooth devices for automotive and industrial markets

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NXP Semiconductors has launched new devices within its KW3x range of microcontrollers (MCUs). The new KW39/38/37 MCUs add Bluetooth 5.0 long-range capabilities and expanded Bluetooth advertising channels.

These enhancements are made while offering seamless migration with hardware, software and tools compatibility with the previous generation of devices, KW34/35/36.

The connectivity MCUs allow Bluetooth LE devices to communicate at distances of more than a mile and increase the amount of Bluetooth advertising channels and advertising data within the Bluetooth standard, the predominant IoT protocol. [Read more…] about NXP launches new bluetooth devices for automotive and industrial markets

NXP becomes lead partner for Arm Ethos U-55 machine learning accelerators

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NXP Semiconductors has agreed a lead partnership role with Arm for Ethos-U55 microNPU (Neural Processing Unit), a machine learning accelerator targeted at resource-constrained industrial and IoT edge devices.

As an industry-leading innovator of microcontrollers (MCUs), NXP intends to implement Ethos U-55 in its Cortex-M based microcontrollers, crossover MCUs and real-time sub-systems in applications processors.

The expansion builds on the company’s growing ML offerings including the recently announced i.MX 8M Plus applications processors with a dedicated NPU. [Read more…] about NXP becomes lead partner for Arm Ethos U-55 machine learning accelerators

NXP launches GHz microcontroller

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NXP Semiconductors has launched the i.MX RT1170 range of crossover MCUs that that it says will open the GHz microcontroller era.

The chipmaker says the new chip “combines unprecedented performance, reliability, and high levels of integration to propel industrial, IoT and automotive applications”.

The NXP i.MX RT1170 family reinforces NXP’s commitment to advance edge computing with its EdgeVerse portfolio of solutions and marks a technology breakthrough with MCUs that run up to 1GHz while maintaining low-power efficiency. [Read more…] about NXP launches GHz microcontroller

NXP adds Apple HomeKit support to its SDK

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apple homekit

NXP Semiconductors has upgraded its Software Development Kit (SDK) for Kinetis microcontrollers (MCUs) to offer support for home automation applications using Apple HomeKit technology.

Utilising the performance and Bluetooth Smart connectivity of NXP’s Kinetis products, the solution streamlines development for a wide range of HomeKit compatible products.

HomeKit is a framework in iOS that lets accessories connect seamlessly so people can better manage their homes. It offers a set of common protocols which enable accessories to work together easily and securely, and allows consumers to control them simply using Siri.  [Read more…] about NXP adds Apple HomeKit support to its SDK