What is the state of the robotics and automation sector at 2022’s midpoint? ABI Research’s Lian Jye Su has a few thoughts, five in fact.

The autonomous vehicle and robotics sectors often employ LiDAR as the primary system navigation sensor. But cameras and vision-based perception will increasingly serve as the technological underpinning for mobile robots going forward.

The Toposens Processing Unit DK makes it easier to integrate the Toposens ultrasonic sensing technology into a customer’s existing platform.

The LEC-RB5 SMARC module provides on-device AI capabilities, support for up to six cameras, and low power consumption.

The Hailo-8 processor features up to 26 tera-operations per second and is smaller than a penny.

Contemporary robots can move quickly. “The motors are fast, and they’re powerful,” says Sabrina Neuman. Yet in complex situations, like interactions with people, robots often don’t move quickly. “The hang up is what’s going on in the robot’s head,” she adds. Perceiving stimuli and calculating a response takes a “boatload of computation,” which limits reaction…

Researchers said the optical neuromorphic processor could benefit autonomous vehicles and other data-intensive applications.

Einride said NVIDIA’s Orin processors will help make the next generation of its autonomous Pods for freight transport safer and more functional.

Ouster and CronAI are combining their award-winning lidar sensor and platform for processing image data at the edge, respectively, for 3D perception for early customers.

Aeva has entered into an agreement with special purpose acquisition company InterPrivate Acquisition Corp. to scale up production of its 4D lidar sensor on a chip, which it said can benefit autonomous vehicles and robotics.

When using Jetson devices, Formant users can now enable real-time video and image analytics in the cloud and perform PII scrubbing at the edge, writes CEO Jeff Linnell in this column.

NVIDIA said its Jetson Nano 2GB kit is designed to enable students and developers to affordably get started with AI, robotics, and IoT.

Hailo said its new M.2 and Mini PCIe modules, which use the Hailo-8 AI processor, will make it easier for developers to build high performance into edge devices than other current systems.

ACEINNA has released its OpenIMU ROS driver, which it said will make it easier for robotics developers to build precise navigation systems.

Intel, Accenture, the Open University, ALYN Hospital, and Applied Brain Research are working to apply neuromorphic technology to make wheelchair-mounted robot arms more adaptable and affordable.

Joe Speed, field CTO of ADLINK, explains how ROS 2 is intended for commercial robotics developers, how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated demand, and how perception and fleet management can improve.

A novel system made of up neural networks powered by Intel’s Loihi neuromorphic chip could lead to better robotic senses of touch and vision, according to NUS researchers.

Hologram Hyper uses eUICC SIM hardware and software to help connect IoT devices such as robots, drones, and autonomous vehicles across cellular coverage zones.

Phantom AI, which develops advanced driver-assistance systems, is putting its technology on Renesas’ system on chip to provide computer vision, sensor fusion, and control capabilities.

The Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Platform helps developers tap into 5G and AI to create high-compute, power-efficient robots for a variety of industries.

Intel shared four research papers on new edge processing techniques, including one on a raycast accelerator that could improve visual SLAM accuracy while maintaining energy efficiency.

Columbia researchers have developeed a new optical phased array on chip at both near-infrared and blue wavelengths. It could advance autonomous navigation, augmented and virtual reality, and neuroscience.