Sensor Tips

Robot Provides Virtual Presence at 2012 CES (Pt 2)

Randy Frank — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:39:09 +0000

At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Alexandra Dopplinger, a marketing manager at Freescale Semiconductor explains the capability of a remote robot that she controls from her location in Ottawa, Canada. Freescale’s pressure sensors and accelerometers are used in the design of the robot as well as proximity sensors to detect stairs or potential collisions and a camera to view the surroundings in the remote location.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about VGo products and services, click here.

For more information about Freescale Semiconductor’s acceleration sensors, click here

and pressure sensors, click here.

To link to part 1, click here.

Robot Provides Virtual Presence at 2012 CES (Pt 1)

Randy Frank — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:41:36 +0000

Ned Semonite, vice president of products at VGo Communications explains the company’s robotic telepresence product at the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. Freescale’s pressure sensors and accelerometers are used in the design of the robot as well as proximity sensors to detect stairs or potential collisions and a camera to view the surroundings in the remote location.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about VGo products and services, click here.

For more information about Freescale Semiconductor’s acceleration sensors, click here

and pressure sensors, click here.

Nine-Axis Sensing Enables Games and Augmented Reality

Randy Frank — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:22:12 +0000

At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Frank Melzer, CEO of Bosch Sensortec demonstrates 9-axis sensing using a combined accelerometer and eCompass magnetometer with the company’s newest 3×3-mm triaxial gyroscope, the BMG160. The 9-degree of freedom sensing combined with an imaging system and additional software enables augmented reality. In addition, Melzer explains the use of a MEMS pressure sensor in a smart phone.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about Bosch Sensortec MEMS sensors here or

Gyroscope, click here.

To Your Health: 3-Axis Accelerometers and Gyroscopes Provide Feedback

Randy Frank — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:57:57 +0000

At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Eric Zorich, CEO of Diesel Dogs describes how a three-axis accelerometer and three-axis gyroscope are used to provide a set of Smart Weights. The software in the design allows users to properly exercise and obtain the maximum benefit from a workout. The concept placed as a top 3 finalist in “The 2011 Innovation World Cup” sponsored by the Bluetooth SIG. The MEMS sensors in the company’s demonstration prototype were supplied by Freescale Semiconductor.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about Diesel Dogs’ Smart Weights, click here.

For more information about Freescale Semiconductor’s three axis accelerometers and three axis gyroscopes, click here.

Sensing in Home Monitoring and Control

Randy Frank — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:32:34 +0000

Joyce Warrington of Ingersoll Rand Residential Solutions explains the sensing that can be incorporated in a home monitoring system at the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. The control and monitoring is made possible by Nexia Home Intelligence (formerly Schlage LiNK) based on Z-Wave technology.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about:

Nexia Home Intelligence, click here, and

Z-Wave, wireless remote control technology, click here.

Nine-Axis MEMS Motion Sensing

Randy Frank — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:39:31 +0000

At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, David Borison of InvenSense demonstrates the capabilities of nine-axis motion sensing using the company’s newly introduced MPU-9150 nine-axis (gyro + accelerometer + compass) MEMS MotionTracking device. The multi-axis sensor incorporates MotionFusion and run-time firmware that simplifies motion sensing in end products. To further simply the design-in process, a development dongle is available.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about InvenSense MPU-9150, click here.

Three-axis Gyroscope Offers Small Size and Low Power

Randy Frank — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:35:14 +0000

At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Juha Lahtinen of VTI Technologies demonstrates the capabilities of the company’s newest three-axis, low power (2.5 mA) gyroscope, the CMR3100, as well as sensor fusion capabilities. VTI’s Sensor Fusion is a 9-axis 6 DOF solution for Android devices.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about VTI Technologies’ CMR3100, click here.

Sensing in an Armband Health Monitor

Randy Frank — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:22:34 +0000

Nick Wilson of BodyMedia discusses the sensing and capabilities of the company’s two health monitoring devices at the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about BodyMedia FIT Armbands, click here.

Sensing in the 2012 Fisker Karma

Randy Frank — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:02:48 +0000

At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Russell Datz from Fisker Automotive explains how sensing improves the driving experience in the Fisker Karma extended-range electric vehicle to Sensor Tips’ Randy Frank. In addition to the temperature and current sensing in the 20.1 kWh Lithium-Ion battery pack, sensors are found in many other places inside and outside of the vehicle.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about all the other attributes of the Fisker Karma, click here.

Smoke Detector IC Boasts Programmability

Randy Frank — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:58:37 +0000

Ionization smoke detectors have been around for more than 25 years. Microchip Technology’s RE46C180 ionization smoke-detector IC shows that there is always room for improvement. In addition to being the first with horn synchronization and auto alarm locate, the IC has programmable calibration and programmable feature selection.

Programmable calibration reduces component counts and simplifies setting up smoke detectors during manufacturing. The programmable features allow one IC to be used for multiple smoke-detector models, including models with different battery types, horn patterns and other features. With these integrated features, companies can develop and manufacture a broad range of residential and commercial smoke detectors using a single IC and printed circuit board.

For more information about Microchip’s RE46C180 ionization smoke-detector IC, click here.