TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
In Brief...
AI revolutionises
fitness tracking
»
The sensor enables manufacturers of wearable and
hearable devices to provide highly personalised
fitness tracking through self-learning AI software in
the sensor. It recognises and adapts to a wide variety
of movements and is able to learn any new fitness
activity that is based on repetitive, cyclical patterns.
Users can hence be trainers and trainees at the same
time.
“The self-learning AI sensor will change how users
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interact with their fitness devices from a mere oneway
approach to an interactive way of training”, says
Dr. Stefan Finkbeiner, CEO at Bosch Sensortec. “This
new sensor combines Bosch Sensortec’s long-term
experience in smart motion sensors with its strong
competence in innovative software development.”
The new sensor is provided to manufacturers as
an integrated System in Package (SiP) solution, which
includes the hardware, software and embedded AI.
This reduces development time and costs, and cuts
time to market.
In addition to the self-learning AI software, Bosch
Sensortec offers a wide range of software solutions
for the BHI260AP. Wearables manufacturers can
simply load the required software on to the sensor
to enable solutions targeted at specific use cases
including orientation tracking, position tracking
(PDR) and swimming. The sensor recognizes four
different swimming styles: butterfly, backstroke,
breaststroke and freestyle. Since the BHI260AP is a
fully programmable sensor, manufacturers can build
their own customized software to be embedded
in the BHI260AP or upload customized solutions
depending on the users’ context. To protect these
customized solutions from unauthorized use, the smart
programmable sensor offers a digital signature.
Award judges praise igus design
»
A new plug-in connector from igus has won an ‘Excellent Product Design’ award in the prestigious German Design
Awards 2021.
The new igus Module Connect Adapter, praised by judges for its innovation, has been designed to suit limited spaces
where a large number of plugged-in cables, such as fibre, optic, electric and encoder cables, need to be connected together.
Justin Leonard, the e-chain Director at igus UK, whose UK headquarters are in Northampton, said: “Instead of having
to connect each cable individually, which takes time and can too easily go wrong, this new design from igus enables a large
number of plugged-in cables to come together safely and quickly, even when in a tight space.
“Because the entire energy chain system can be easily plugged in, the installation time is reduced from several hours to just
minutes. Each Module Connect Adapter is self-coded, which eliminates any disruption from a faulty plug. It is also easy to maintain and service.”
When ordering one of these adapters, igus customers can select from four HARTING HanModular rectangular connectors, which can then be
individually connected to each other.
Depending on the chain series, width, and number of connect modules, igus manufactures each of its Module Adapters individually, using 3D
printing technology.
Once manufactured each adapter is then attached to the energy chain via a ‘snap-in’ mechanism. Customers can choose from a variety of
mounting options.
While the Module Connect Adapter won an Excellent Product Design award in the German Design Awardws 2021, the igus E4Q energy chain series
was also praised, winning a top German Design Award for its pioneering design.
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