Smart robot detects changes in atmospheric pressure

Industrial and domestic robots are highly integrated embedded systems that incorporate many kinds of semiconductors for their computing power, real time response, and sensing precision.

The robot was able to measure distance from obstacles and detect gestures for stopping, changing directions, and extending or retracting its arm; detect changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure; transmit data and be operated by external devices through a wireless connection; and project images on a screen.

ST has developed the Robot in cooperation with Asratec, using the ROBOTIS OP2 open platform from ROBOTIS.

The Robot integrates 29 ST products. These include an STM32 microcontroller (MCU), motion sensors and e-compass for posture detection, Time-of-Flight ranging sensors for distance and gesture detection, environmental sensors including pressure and temperature sensors, a MEMS micro-mirror, MEMS microphones, and a Bluetooth Low Energy network processor to communicate with external devices.

The Robot’s complex motions are controlled by Asratec's robot controller board 'V-Sido CONNECT' with an STM32 inside. Through this demo, ST highlighted its comprehensive solutions, featuring high performance and easy-to-use products, to diverse types of robotic applications in industry, healthcare, and education.

Along with 'the Cloud', which consolidates and processes information, IoT employs 'edge computing' to distribute processing functions to locations close to the data-collection points and reduce network loads while making efficient use of communication bandwidth.

At ET2017, ST showcased a demo that 'sees' a four digit number with high precision and in real time. The demo comprised an STM32 with Artificial Intelligence and a camera module.The technology made inferences based on inputs including images, sound, or signals from sensors, and was expected to be applied in edge devices that perform autonomous assessment and condition prediction.

In addition, ST showcased its STM32H7 series, which claims to be the highest ever performance for an Arm Cortex-M based MCU, along with new MCUs for wearable devices.

Diverse and advanced sensing technologies are needed in the IoT devices to collect and process information.

ST also showcased a smart-industry demo, developed in cooperation with Nidec, that used high precision accelerometers to monitor motor vibrations. This technology will help create new industrial applications and services such as proactive maintenance for plant facilities and infrastructure.

Connectivity technologies
ST offers devices for different communication distances and data transmission rates, as these are key to the growing proliferation of the IoT, and LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) technologies such as Sigfox and LoRa.

ST demonstrated data transmissions using a Sub-GHz RF IC for Sigfox, and also demonstrated a development board for LoRa, incorporating a Murata RF module that aggregates an STM32 and an RF IC from Semtech Corporation.

This development board has completed verification of connection to the services of SORACOM. For short-distance communications, ST showcased a smart-lock demo for Automotive and Home that combines a Bluetooth Low Energy IC with NFC (Near Field Communication) reader/writers.

Motor-driver ICs characterised by high precision and outstanding real time capabilities are vital for controlling motors of varied sizes inside IoT devices.

At the show ST used a System-in-Package (SiP) device to demonstrate the operation of a drone through high precision vector control of its propeller motors. This all-in-one SiP from ST integrates an Arm Cortex-M0 MCU, a DC/DC converter, an op amp, a comparator, a gate driver, and other components in a 7x7mm package.

The numerous embedded systems that make up the IoT are subject to the threat of cyber-attacks, including falsification, spoofing, data theft, and device misuse, making security technologies key to compensate for network vulnerabilities.

ST conducted a demo of host-terminal certification for short distance wireless communication, using a development board with Bluetooth Low Energy ICs and a secure MCU with Common Criteria EAL5+ certification. The company showcased its highly versatile TPM (Trusted Platform Module) solutions that strengthen the security of embedded systems.