What are the key trends for emerging technologies? 21st November 2018

At electronica STMicroelectronics presented many solutions in a variety of applications, such as IoT and automotive. STMicroelectronics showcased a range of connectivity solutions for smart cars, such as in-vehicle infotainment systems, telematics processors and sensors, radio tuners and amplifiers, positioning technologies, secure car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure connectivity solutions. 

Specialist marine electronics company, Actisense, based in Poole, have announced its sponsorship of young Olympic sailing hopeful, Sam Whaley. Whaley, aged 21, approached Actisense to support him in his bid for Olympic sailing gold in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Whaley is from Swanage but does much of his training in Weymouth, Poole and Bournemouth. A three-time national sailing champion, a few weeks ago he won his first world championship. 

Type ‘women in technology’ in the Google search bar and you’ll see phrases like ‘we have a long way to go’, ‘gender pay gap’ and ‘#MeToo’. This is perhaps unsurprising. Earlier this month 20,000 Google employees protested over how Google handles cases of sexual misconduct, gender inequality and systemic racism. Leaving many women to voice: “We’re done with not being taken seriously.”

A recent survey by mobile game developers, Tappable, has discovered 42% of gamers now consider smartphones to be their first choice for gaming, compared to console (32%) and PC (26%). The survey, conducted in October this year, polled male and female gamers on their gaming habits. Based on the data, it seems that mobile is fast becoming the most popular platform. 

  A new application, I-REACT, will enable people all over the world to warn each other about natural hazards by sharing geolocalized photos and information on floods, fires and extreme weather events, also receiving and sending alerts of extreme weather pertinent to their location.

Arrow Electronics has extended its agreement with Cree’s Wolfspeed division. The new agreement positions Arrow Electronics as Cree’s largest global distributor for Wolfspeed’s silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) on SiC product portfolio.

HARTING Technology Group and specialist distributor Heilind Electronics have agreed a global partnership. The agreement was sealed at electronica 2018 in Munich. It is an extension of an initial agreement between the two companies in North America.

A trio of global franchises which expand the depth and breadth of Premier Farnell’s linecard was revealed at electronica. The agreements with Osram Opto Semiconductors, Nodec Copal and Taoglas provide designers and engineers with access to several new product lines in key market sectors, covering the Interconnect, Passives & Electromechanical (IP&E) and Semiconductor product categories.