Articles tagged with "embedded-systems"
Harmattan AI raises $200M Series B led by Dassault Aviation, becomes defense unicorn
Harmattan AI, a French defense technology startup founded in 2024, has raised $200 million in a Series B funding round led by Dassault Aviation, the maker of the Rafale fighter jet. This significant investment elevates Harmattan AI to "defense unicorn" status and marks a strategic partnership aimed at developing embedded AI capabilities for future generations of Rafales and drones. The company, which specializes in autonomy and mission-system software for defense aircraft, has already gained strong validation from the French and British ministries of defense within its first two years. The partnership with Dassault Aviation signals a shift from Harmattan AI’s initial ambition to disrupt traditional defense primes to a collaborative approach with established industry leaders. The funding and partnership come amid growing demand for advanced drone and AI technologies, spurred by recent conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, which highlighted the importance of drone warfare for NATO forces. French President Emmanuel Macron praised the deal as a boost for France’s strategic autonomy, technological superiority in AI-enabled
robotAIdefense-technologydronesautonomyembedded-systemsaerospaceNew humanoid robot head with sensory awareness, interactive ability
German semiconductor company Infineon Technologies AG and AI engineering firm HTEC have jointly unveiled a humanoid robotic head featuring 360-degree multi-sensory awareness at OktoberTech™ Silicon Valley 2025. The prototype integrates advanced sensing technologies—including Infineon’s XENSIV™ 60 GHz radar for spatial awareness, REAL3™ Time-of-Flight depth sensors, and XENSIV™ MEMS microphones for audio recognition—combined with onboard cameras and embedded AI software. This fusion enables the robot head to detect human presence, identify sound direction, orient itself accordingly, and analyze visual input, thereby creating a seamless, human-like perception of its environment. The project demonstrates how blending cutting-edge hardware with AI intelligence can push the boundaries of robotic perception and interaction. Built on standard embedded platforms, the system is designed for easy integration into various commercial and industrial robotics applications such as eldercare robots, autonomous delivery systems, smart home devices, and security robots. Although still a prototype, the humanoid head received
robotroboticsAIsensorshumanoid-robotIoTembedded-systemsACCES I/O Products releases PCI Express Mini Card multifunction analog I/O module - The Robot Report
ACCES I/O Products Inc. has launched the mPCIe-DAAI16-8F, a high-performance multifunction analog input/output module in a compact PCI Express Mini Card (mPCIe) form factor. This rugged module features 16-bit precision with simultaneous analog input and output capabilities, including eight 16-bit analog outputs supporting both voltage and current ranges (4–20 mA, 0–20 mA, 0–24 mA). It also offers eight 16-bit analog input channels configurable as single-ended or differential inputs, with an aggregate sampling rate up to 1 MSPS for dynamic measurements. The module supports hardware-paced waveform playback at up to 125 kSPS per DAC channel and includes eight digital I/O pins for triggering, status, or control functions. Designed for embedded and OEM applications, the card is built to withstand shock and vibration, with factory options such as extended temperature ranges, current inputs, voltage dividers, HART modem capability, and
IoTembedded-systemsanalog-I/O-modulePCI-Express-Mini-CardFPGA-designindustrial-automationsensor-interfaceAdvantech, Qualcomm partner on edge AI applications
Advantech has announced a collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies and its subsidiary Edge Impulse to accelerate the adoption of next-generation edge AI applications using Qualcomm’s Dragonwing IQ-9075 processor. This partnership integrates Advantech’s edge AI platforms with the Dragonwing IQ-9075 and Edge Impulse’s developer tools, creating an ecosystem that simplifies AI development and deployment at the edge. The Dragonwing IQ-9075 processor, which powers Advantech’s new AIR-055 and AFE-A503 systems, delivers up to 100 TOPS of AI performance through dual Hexagon NPUs and an 8-core Kryo Gen 6 CPU, and is designed for industrial reliability with over 10 years of product longevity. Advantech’s AIR-055 system is a compact edge AI platform supporting VLMs and LLMs, featuring multiple connectivity options and direct MIPI-CSI camera connections for 2D/3D industrial imaging, targeting applications such as smart manufacturing, intelligent transportation systems
IoTedge-AIQualcommroboticsindustrial-automationembedded-systemssmart-manufacturingRoot Access develops tool for engineers of embedded systems, raises funding - The Robot Report
Root Access Inc., a New York-based startup co-founded by Ryan Eppley and Samarpita Chowdhury, has developed an AI-native tool aimed at engineers working on firmware for embedded systems, such as heavy machinery, robotics, and mission-critical hardware. Recognizing that firmware development is often overlooked compared to hardware and software, Root Access seeks to streamline and enhance this process by enabling engineers to validate and configure components more efficiently using their Hideout integrated development environment (IDE). The company recently raised $2.1 million in pre-seed funding to advance its technology. The founders bring complementary expertise: Eppley has a diverse background spanning agriculture, competitive sports, philosophy, and technology roles at Oracle and other ventures, while Chowdhury has deep hardware and firmware experience, including military motherboard design and multiple patents. They identified a gap between PCB design tools and other parts of the tech stack, aiming to fill it with their AI-driven solution. Since its incorporation in 2024, Root Access has
robotembedded-systemsAIfirmware-developmenthardware-engineeringroboticsmission-critical-systemsEngineer turns disposable vape pen into a working web server
Romanian engineer Bogdan Ionescu, known as BogdanTheGeek, repurposed a disposable vape pen into a functioning web server. By dissecting a vape containing a PUYA C642F15 chip (actually a PY32F002B with a 24 MHz Arm Cortex M0+ processor, 24KB flash, and 3KB RAM), he leveraged its modest hardware to run a basic web server. Using the Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) and uIP 0.9 code, he enabled TCP/IP communication, initially facing slow response times and packet loss. After optimizing his code with a ring buffer and other tweaks, he reduced ping times to 20ms and page loads to about 160ms, hosting a webpage copied from his blog within the limited 20KB flash storage. Ionescu’s VapeServer project not only demonstrates technical ingenuity but also highlights the sustainability potential of reusing disposable vape electronics, which are often discarded despite containing functional microcontrollers,
IoTembedded-systemsmicrocontrollerssustainabilityelectronic-recyclingweb-serverlow-power-devicesChina tests home-grown OS in space to reduce foreign dependence
China has successfully tested its domestically developed OpenHarmony real-time operating system (RTOS) in space, marking a significant step toward reducing reliance on foreign software amid escalating Western sanctions. The Dalian-1 Lianli CubeSat, launched from China’s Tiangong space station, operated for over 1,000 hours using OpenHarmony—a lightweight, open-source version of Huawei’s HarmonyOS—demonstrating enhanced processing speed and operational stability. Key subsystems such as the magnetometer, sun sensor, and attitude unit responded to commands within two microseconds, enabling faster data updates and improved real-time responsiveness compared to previous firmware or foreign software setups. This mission represents a milestone as the first satellite to combine OpenHarmony RTOS with a domestically produced chip, offering a fully home-grown hardware-software solution for spacecraft. Following the success, Chinese researchers introduced national technical standards to promote widespread adoption of OpenHarmony in small satellites, supporting both commercial and research projects. The development addresses challenges stemming from China
IoTsatellite-technologyreal-time-operating-systemOpenHarmonyspace-technologyembedded-systemsChina-space-programIDS Imaging adds Sony Starvis 2 sensors to GigE uEye LE series
IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH is set to expand its GigE uEye LE series of project cameras by introducing models equipped with Sony Starvis 2 sensors by the end of June 2025. These new single-board cameras, compliant with GigE Vision standards, are designed for high-volume, cost-sensitive industrial applications such as quality assurance, medical technology, and automation. The Starvis 2 sensors, based on CMOS technology, offer enhanced light sensitivity, reduced noise, and extended dynamic range, enabling consistent high-quality imaging even in low-light environments. The new camera models will feature sensor options including the IMX675 (5 MP), IMX676 (12.5 MP), and IMX678 (8 MP), with the 12.5 MP IMX676 sensor particularly suited for applications like microscopy due to its square 1/1.6″ sensor format. IDS emphasizes that these cameras maintain the GigE uEye LE family’s design-to-cost philosophy, making them suitable for integration into
robotindustrial-automationmachine-visionCMOS-sensorsimage-processingembedded-systemsquality-assurance