Mouser shares design solutions for advanced robotics development

Mouser Electronics has announced a new interactive eBook in collaboration with electronics manufacturer and connectivity innovator Molex.

This new interactive eBook examines how advances in connectivity, power management, and user interfaces are propelling robotics from the factory floor to household and commercial use. Reliable connectors, sensors, and real-time processing enable these robots to navigate, interact, and perform tasks efficiently in everyday environments. The eBook includes articles, videos, and an interactive infographic detailing the ways in which robotics will become ubiquitous in our everyday lives.

The eBook details the challenges designers face in building personal and home robots. These robots will need to interact with humans using voice commands, touchscreen controls, and apps. They will also need to be capable of autonomous mapping and developing efficient, safe routes to complete their tasks while optimising battery life. The underlying technologies, such as chargers, sensors, processors, and actuators, require effective, reliable interconnect components and assemblies to carry power and signal throughout each robot. Molex offers a comprehensive line of interconnect products, available from Mouser, to facilitate manufacturing and ensure reliability throughout the robots’ life cycle.

The Molex Premo-Flex flat flexible cable (FFC) Jumpers enable designers to maximise PCB space, reduce component costs, and provide devices with reliable board-to-board connections, making them well-suited for robotic applications. The series is offered in lengths, pitches and circuit sizes designed to solve complex board-to-board interconnection challenges in compact or hard-to-reach applications.

The MX150 mid-voltage connectors are designed to meet the growing demand for 48V electrical systems. Part of the extended Molex MX150 connector family, this sealed connector system is field-proven and offers highly reliable performance under extreme temperatures, varying degrees of vibration, and exposure to moisture and chemicals for a variety of applications.

The Squba 1.8mm/3.6mm sealed wire-to-wire connectors feature a protected, low-profile positive latch to reduce the overall component size, while the 1.8 mm pitch further alleviates space constraints. Molex Squba connectors have a contact resistance of 10 milliohms and are ideal for a wide range of space-constrained applications such as robotics and industrial controls.

https://eu.mouser.com

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OKW offers enclosures and knobs for HVAC, climate control and environmental technology

OKW has extended its range of electronic enclosures and tuning knobs for HVAC, climate control and environmental technology.

The specialist enclosure manufacturer offers IP-rated housings for applications including wind turbine control, air quality metering, Geiger counters, agricultural climate control, inspection cameras and leak detection.

HVAC, climate control and environmental electronics must withstand a range of hazards including temperature fluctuations, particles (dust/fibres/spores), low-level vibration, and cleaning with aggressive chemicals. Devices need robust enclosures with good ingress protection.

OKW’s outdoor wall-mount enclosures include SOLID-BOX (IP 66, IP 67, IK 08) – which can be installed ‘lid closed’ to protect the electronics and seal – and ROBUST-BOX (IP 66), which offers a wide range of sizes by combining flat and high tops and bases.

Indoor wall-mount enclosures include stylish NET-BOX (IP 65) – which has a curved top and a front lid that conceals connectors – and low-profile DIATEC which has a central control panel for mounting a touch screen, display or keypad.

Other models include MINI-DATA-BOX (IP 65) and EASYTEC (IP 65) fast-fit sensor enclosures. Both feature flanges for quick and easy mounting with screws or cable ties. MINI-DATA-BOX can also be specified without flanges.

OKW’s CONTROL-KNOBS and ergonomic STAR-KNOBS are ideal for menu-driven interfaces. CONTROL-KNOBS have a soft-touch surface for comfort and anti-slip operation. STAR-KNOBS can be either surface mounted or flush fitting. Both ranges feature energy-saving SMD LED illumination (optional).

OKW also has an extensive range of accessories, and can supply its products fully customised. Services include machining, lacquering, printing, laser marking, decor foils, special materials, EMC shielding, and installation/assembly of accessories.

https://www.okw.co.uk

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Ibase announce new ultra-compact rugged embedded edge computer

IBASE Technology has released the CP100 ultra-compact rugged embedded edge computer, purpose-built for high-reliability and long-term operation in space-limited environments. Powered by the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2000 Series processor, the CP100 offers three chipset configurations, allowing users to tailor computing performance to specific application needs.

Engineered for minimal footprint, the CP100 adopts a 2.5-inch SBC design with a compact system size of just 94(W) x 133(D) x 51(H)mm, making it ideal for industrial and embedded edge applications requiring efficient, multi-threaded performance in tight spaces. It also supports DIN-rail mounting, enabling easy deployment in various automation systems and equipment architectures.

The CP100 features dual HDMI 2.0 ports, supporting simultaneous dual 4K display output for consistent, high-quality video performance. It supports PDPC (Peripheral Device Power Control) function, optimising power efficiency for connected peripherals. With four configurable RS-232/422/485 serial ports, the system enables seamless connectivity with a wide range of industrial sensors and devices, making it well-suited for smart manufacturing, industrial automation, smart retail, and intelligent logistics applications.

To meet the demands of high-speed networking and flexible storage expansion, the CP100 includes multiple M.2 slots (E-Key and M-Key), supporting WiFi, Bluetooth, LTE/5G wireless modules, and high-performance NVMe storage devices, delivering scalability and future-proofing for evolving system requirements.

Key Features of CP100:

• Powered by AMD Ryzen Embedded R2000 processors with scalable performance options
• Ultra-compact design with DIN-rail support for easy deployment in tight spaces
• Dual HDMI 2.0 outputs for simultaneous 4K video display
• Four configurable COM ports for versatile industrial device integration
• Multiple M.2 expansion slots for wireless connectivity and high-speed storage

http://www.ibase.com.tw

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Battery management technology from TI delivers up to 30% longer run time

Texas Instruments has introduced new single-chip battery fuel gauges with first-of-its-kind adaptive Dynamic Z-Track technology for more efficient, reliable operation in battery-powered devices. Compared to traditional gauging methods, the predictive modelling algorithm in TI’s BQ41Z90 and BQ41Z50 gauges achieve industry-leading state-of-charge and state-of-health accuracy within 1% error, helping extend battery run time by up to 30%.

As users demand more power from electronics, such as laptops, e-bikes and portable medical devices, battery management systems (BMSs) must provide precise, accurate, real-time monitoring. The BQ41Z90 and BQ41Z50 fuel gauges with Dynamic Z-Track technology help engineers design electronic devices with accurate battery capacity readings, even under unpredictable loads. With this increased accuracy, engineers can select a battery size with confidence, eliminating the need for oversized batteries.

Battery-powered electronics are becoming more complex, making it even more important to use board space efficiently. The BQ41Z90 is the industry’s first highly integrated fuel gauge, monitor and protector for 3-to-16 lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery cells in series. This single-chip solution enables engineers to reduce complexity and save as much as 25% of board space compared to traditional discrete solutions. The BQ41Z50 supports 2-to-4 cells in series.

https://www.TI.com.

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