Inspired by self-driving vehicles and robotics, the Augmented Cane developed by Stanford University researchers uses a LiDAR sensor to measure distance to nearby obstacles and then provide directions so blind or visually impaired users can navigate around those areas. Additional sensors in the research prototype include GPS, accelerometers, magnetometers and gyroscopes to monitor the user’s […]
Gyroscope
Six-axis MEMS motion sensors features supreme vibration rejection, temperature stability
TDK Corporation announced the availability of the InvenSense ICM-45xxx SmartMotion ultra-high-performance (UHP) family of 6-axis MEMS motion sensors. This family introduces the on-chip self-calibration, industry’s lowest power consumption, and world’s first BalancedGyro™ (BG) technology. BalancedGyro technology by TDK is the first-of-its-kind gyroscope MEMS architecture that enables supreme vibration rejection and temperature stability performance, an enhancement […]
Three-axis gyroscope/accelerometer combo is automotive qualified
TDK Corporation announces the availability of InvenSense IAM-20680HT high temperature automotive monolithic 6-Axis MotionTracking sensor platform solution for non-safety automotive applications, which includes the IAM-20680HT IMU MEMS sensor and the DK-20680HT developer kit. The IAM-20680HT embeds a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer in a thin 3 x 3 x 0.75mm (16-pin LGA) package and […]
How can you improve the next-generation IMU?
At Sensors Expo 2019, Lou Thaddeo, the Director of Business Development for Thales Visionix Inc. discusses how Visionix’s newest NavChip Series 3 inertial measurement unit (IMU) plays a critical role in helmet mounted displays for pilot head tracking and other applications. The 6-axis (3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope) IMU implements enhanced performance over NavChip Series […]
How can an RTC feature stabilize an image sensor’s output?
At Sensors Expo 2019 in San Jose, CA, Sahil Choudhary, a product marketing manager at InvenSense, demonstrates how the real-time clock (RTC) feature in his company’s 6-axis (accelerometer and gyroscope) sensors provides accuracy and stabilization for critical imaging applications. For a specific device frequency, say 10 Hz, the RTC input ensures that the 10 Hz […]
How can sensors make a smart ball?
At Sensor Expo 2018 in San Jose, CA, an expert from NXP Semiconductors describes the Internet of Things (IoT) smart ball demo that NXP had in its booth. Sensors in the ball provide real-time data and the system can publish the data to the cloud using IBM Bluemix Services. The data includes 3-axis measurements from […]
What’s new in IMUs?
At Sensors Expo 2018, Faheem Faheem, the Director of R&D for Visionix Engineering for Thales Visionix, discusses NavChip 2, a next-generation inertial measurement unit (IMU) with high sensitivity and high performance. Architected around proprietary technologies and advanced signal processing techniques, the IMU contains a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope for 6-axis motion sensing. […]
How do sensors make a smart crane safer?
Watching a crane operator elevate and transport a heavy load over a significant distance to a precise location with an articulated crane is always a fascinating and thought-provoking activity. With today’s concerns about job safety, how is safety handled in this process? Safety begins with the skill of the crane operator but today’s sensors and […]
What functions do sensors provide to drones?
Depending on the type of drone and its function, there can be a few essential sensors or an extensive number of sensors on board. Whether the drones are civilian or military craft, the sensors fall roughly into three categories: Make Them Fly, Make Them Work and Diagnose & Prevent Problems. Make Them Fly An inertial […]
What types of sensors are used in robots? Part 2 of 2
In addition to the sensors identified in Part 1 of this blog, there are several others required for different types of robots. Chemical, light and color sensors enable the robot to evaluate, adjust and detect problems with its environment. For humanoid robots that can walk, run or even dance (like Dobi, made by Chinese company […]
