Mouser explores smart tech in farming with agriculture resource hub

Mouser offers insights into the latest innovations in farming through its agriculture resource centre. Through the integration of sensors, drones, and AI, farmers have the capability to collect and analyse vast amounts of data. Technological advancements, like satellites, have enabled farmers to track changes in land use, such as crop growth and vegetation health, which helps feed the growing global population while maintaining sustainable practices. By gaining insights into the field, like pH and CO2 levels in the moisture content, they can better understand their soil quality, leading to enhanced crop yields.

IoT devices are added to optimise agricultural practices like RFID tagging livestock to track their movements and analyse the herd’s feeding behaviours, stress levels, and potential health issues. This new level of data analytics ensures that livestock and plants are receiving proper nourishment in various climates, as well as in greenhouse and indoor agriculture. Connected devices allow engineers to take environmental control and adjust growing conditions through sensors, microcontrollers, and LEDs. Through a range of innovations, traditional farming is evolving into a data-driven and sustainable industry.

The library of resources offers engineers the tools to make informed decisions from irrigation to fertilisation. With eBooks, articles, blogs, and products from Mouser’s technical team and manufacturing partners, readers will gain valuable knowledge on the cutting-edge technology that is transforming agriculture.

https://resources.mouser.com/agriculture/

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Arrow Electronics launches robotics solutions resources

Arrow Electronics has developed and launched a set of resources to help members of the electronics community better understand the advancements in the rapidly evolving robotics landscape.

Arrow has created a robotics playbook containing insights and component recommendations to help companies get products to market faster, as well as a series of webinars that will be taking place over the coming weeks. The Robotics Solutions landing page also allows users to dive into supplier offerings and discover the solutions that best fit their needs.

Robots and autonomous machines are transforming industries by enhancing efficiency, improving safety and reducing costs across a wide range of applications. Arrow works with leading suppliers to provide innovative robotic technologies, including autonomous mobile robots with AI-driven navigation, collaborative robots (cobots) designed to safely work alongside humans and drones for tasks, such as aerial surveillance and delivery.

Two webinars are currently available on demand. The first, ‘Industrial Evolution: How to Leverage the Power of AI/ML and Robotics’ presented by Arrow and Microchip, explores how Microchip’s cutting edge technologies in secure authentication, predictive maintenance, smart embedded vision and multi-axis motor control are revolutionising design processes.

The second, ‘Advance Edge AI and Robotics Development with NVIDIA Full-Stack Accelerated Computing Platform’ presented by Arrow and NVIDIA, demonstrates how NVIDIA’s Jetson platform, foundational AI models and Isaac ROS workflows are transforming robotics with edge AI. It also shares practical frameworks for building autonomous systems and explores real-world case studies showcasing rapid development.

Arrow will also be hosting two further webinars, the first on the 19th March with Qualcomm, and the second on the 25th March with NXP .

https://www.arrow.com

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element14 Community launches ultrasonic sensor challenge with TDK

element14, an Avnet Community, in partnership with TDK, has launched a new design challenge, inviting engineers, makers, and technology enthusiasts to develop innovative projects utilising TDK’s waterproof ultrasonic range sensors in real-world applications.

Participants will integrate TDK USSM Plus-FS sensors into a functional project that demonstrates the versatility and accuracy of ultrasonic distance sensing technology. Selected applicants will receive an evaluation kit from TDK, which includes two TDK USSM Plus-FS ultrasonic range sensors, a TDK evaluation board, and a set of sensor connector cables.

Participants are encouraged to explore a range of potential applications for ultrasonic sensing technology, such as object detection, industrial control sensing, human-robot interaction, movement boundary control, conveyor belt monitoring, smart delivery robots, autonomous lawnmowers, and liquid level sensing.

Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community, stated, “This design challenge provides our community with the opportunity to explore the power of ultrasonic sensing technology with hands-on experience in real-world applications.”

Applications are open till 28 March. Once selected, participants have until 16 June to build their projects. Challengers must post their progress including the final project and at least five blog posts before the closing date. Posts that include photos, videos and code samples will be judged more favourably.

The grand prize winner will receive an Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (4th gen) 128GB and an iRobot Roomba self-emptying robot vacuum cleaner, the runner-up will receive an iPad Mini 10.9 inch 64GB and an iRobot Roomba self-emptying robot vacuum cleaner, and other finishers of the challenge (anyone who completes five blogs and a project with the featured product) will receive a MultiComp Pro Multimeter Set.

For more information on the design challenge and to register, please visit: https://community.element14.com

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Rutronik System Solutions expands functionality of RDK3 base board

The growing demand for IoT devices is accompanied by an equally growing demand for energy-efficient energy harvesting modules. In order to meet the ecological and economic challenges of this trend, Rutronik is focusing on innovative solutions for harvesting energy from the surrounding environment. To this end, Rutronik’s System Solution developers, together with Rutronik’s wireless application experts, are introducing an innovative extension for the RDK3 Base Board. The new Ambient IoT remote control uses energy harvesting technology and thus offers a sustainable solution for the growing IoT ecosystem – without the need for a battery.

Thanks to the use of efficient wireless system-on-chip and power management semiconductors, energy harvesting can now replace conventional batteries in many applications. In addition to being environmentally friendly, this technology also reduces the costs associated with battery maintenance, supply chain, logistics, and disposal.

For the new extension of the RDK3, Rutronik allows the Infineon PSOCTM 64 (Secured MCU) integrated in the development kit to communicate with an EnOcean PTM 216B module, which contains a nRF52 SoC from Nordic Semiconductor, with an integrated Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) interface. In the developed demo, the latter is located in a standard light switch and draws its electrical energy from mechanical motion – such as a keystroke. The RDK3 enables easy, cross-supplier communication between components, which means added design flexibility.

This type of technology is already established in light switches in buildings based on the Sub GHz EnOcean protocol. This protocol and ecosystem are maintained by the American EnOcean Alliance, which takes care of this 868 (EU) / 902 (USA) / 928 (JPN) MHz protocol. The German EnOcean GmbH manufactures the hardware for this. In a single module, both the components for kinematic energy harvesting and wireless connectivity are embedded. For the RDK3-based remote control, the company’s expertise and patents in the field of energy harvesting are used, but combined with Nordic Semiconductor’s Bluetooth technology, instead of the original Sub GHz-SoC.

https://www.rutronik.com/

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