Robotics

TDK Corporation announces the addition of adjustable current limit models to the TDK-Lambda brand 300W rated i7C non-isolated DC-DC converter series. These buck-boost board mount power modules have input ranges of 9 up to 53Vdc with output voltage adjustment from 5 to 28V, 8 to 24V, or 9.6 to 48V depending upon the output current…

Several types of motors are used in building robots. These include brushed dc motors, brushless dc motors, stepper motors, servo motors, geared dc motors, ac motors, pneumatic motors, hydraulic motors, and linear motors. Each type of motor serves a specific purpose in a robotic application and has advantages and disadvantages.  Brushed dc motors are the most affordable…

COSEL Co., Ltd. announced the launch of the HFA3500TF, a low-profile 3-phase, 3-wire 3500W AC/DC enclosed power supply designed for industrial equipment such as semiconductor manufacturing, laser processing machines, and robotics. The HFA3500TF addresses worldwide applications and 3-Phase Delta or 3-Phase Star networks, with an input voltage range of 180VAC to 528VAC. Utilizing an energy-optimized,…

OMNIVISION announced two new CMOS global shutter (GS) image sensors for machine vision applications. OMNIVISION has created a new Machine Vision Unit, which will focus on creating innovative solutions for industrial automation, robotics, logistics barcode scanners, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). OMNIVISION’s new GS sensors feature the industry’s smallest 2.2-micron (µm) backside-illuminated (BSI) pixel for…

TDK Corporation announces the introduction of the ZWS-C series of 10, 15, 30, and 50W-rated industrial AC-DC power supplies. The products meet EN55011/EN55032-B conducted and radiated EMI in either a Class I or Class II (double insulated) construction, without the need for external filtering or shielding. With electrolytic capacitor lifetimes of up to 15 years,…

Visual Communications Company (VCC) announced its new LFBR Series 3mm Reverse Mount Press-Fit Rigid Light Pipes. These innovative reverse panel mount light pipes provide optimized light transmittance in regular and harsh environments. Built with a special long-life resin system, they are also UV-ready, making them ideal for a wide range of applications, including industrial, maritime, automation,…

Renesas Electronics Corporation has expanded its popular RZ Family of microprocessors (MPUs) with a new device targeting high-performance robotics applications. Offering the highest levels of performance within the family, the RZ/V2H enables both vision AI and real-time control capabilities. The device comes with a new generation of Renesas proprietary AI accelerator, DRP (Dynamically Reconfigurable Processor)-AI3,…

An electronic speed controller (ESC) is a device that controls the speed of an electric motor. ESCs are typically used in remote-controlled vehicles or aircraft, electric scooters, robotics, and drones.  In a drone, the flight controller sends signals to the ESC, telling it which direction and speed the motor must rotate. The ESC uses these signals…

The advent of robots has carried forward a legacy that originated with the Industrial Revolution. Since the introduction of the first industrial robot in the 1950s, robotics has undergone several decades of evolution. These conventional machines have since permeated nearly every industry, with the innovation of soft robots now changing the game. Soft robots are…

Mouser Electronics, a New Product Introduction (NPI) distributor with the widest selection of semiconductors and electronic components, is now stocking the ZED-F9P GNSS module from u-blox. The ZED-F9P provides engineers with precise, centimeter-level accuracy for industrial navigation, with high update rates and low power consumption, making the module ideal for dynamic applications like unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAV) and robotics. The u-blox ZED-F9P GNSS module,…

Industrial robots are designed for use in industrial automation. They’re programmable machines that are specifically used to automate production-related tasks. Typically, several robots are installed in an assembly line, each responsible for a specific objective. For example, some pick and place workpieces, some interact with different equipment (such as a lathe or milling machine), and…

Previously, we discussed open-source 3D printable humanoid robot projects. Now, we’ll cover the top 3D printable robotic arms. A robotic arm is a pick-and-place robot typically used in manufacturing assembly lines. They’re also used for CNC, laser engraving, and 3D printing.  The robots are designed to repeat specific tasks with the highest accuracy and precision. Servos electronically…

Dreame, a Chinese-based company specializing in smart home cleaning devices, has launched its new vacuum cleaning robot — the Dreame Bot W10 Pro. The smart vacuum cleaner is equipped with a camera featuring the REAL3 Time-of-Flight (ToF) image sensor from Infineon Technologies and pmdtechnologies. The ToF imager enables smart navigation, 3D mapping, and excellent obstacle…

Robots are a perfect example of how electronics can precisely and accurately perform mechanical jobs. Over the past decades, the scope and definition of robots has extended far from the realms of mechanical tasks. Now, robots are imagined to automate everything possible, including communication and intelligence. A cause behind this is an attempt to replicate…

STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor provider serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, announced that it is contributing multiple STM32 microcontrollers (MCUs) to the “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…

Renesas Electronics Corporation, a supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, and eProsima, an SME company specialized in middleware solutions, have announced that the Renesas EK-RA6M5 Evaluation Kit for RA MCUs is the official supported hardware platform of the micro-ROS development framework. micro-ROS is the industry’s robotics operating system for MCUs. Renesas teamed with eProsima, the main…

The Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) has announced nearly $50,000 in grants for 15 innovative classroom STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematic) projects in grades 6-12. Due to COVID-19 and the shift to remote learning TAF expanded the scope of its grant review process to support distance learning and teaching using novel ways to use incorporate…

TRINAMIC Motion Control GmbH & Co. KG, now part of Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., recently introduced the smallest and lowest-power, single-axis servo controller/driver module with integrated motion control. The new TMCM-1321 servo controller/driver module enables two-phase bipolar stepper motors in robotics and automation equipment to optimize speed and synchronization of axes for quicker throughput while…

Cell phone operated Robot is a Robot whose movement can be controlled by pressing the number of cell phone. The robot can move forward, backward, right or left which depends on the numbers you are pressing. The property of Robot to operate by the cell phone helps you to operate the robot from some distance.The Cell Phone controlled Robot uses DTMF (Dual tone-multi frequency) module. It is capable of receiving a set of command (instructions) in the form of DTMF (Dual tone multiple frequency) tones and performs the necessary actions. 

As we discussed earlier about the amazing world of robotics, it’s believed that fully autonomous robots weren’t developed until the second half of the 20th Century. In all these years, a lot of new inventions have taken place from drones to nanobots; not to forget the animal robots and humanoids that look just like living beings. However, this is not it! There is a lot more than what has been explored till now. The future of robotics would be re-defined by soft robotics, a concept that is still unknown to the masses.