➀ Bel Fuse has announced a 4kW liquid-cooled dc-dc converter for low voltage accessories in hybrid and electric vehicles; ➁ The converter, called 350DNG40-12-8, can deliver between 10 and 15Vdc from 240 to 450Vdc at up to 93% efficiency; ➂ It features a CAN bus interface, IP67 or IP6k9k environmental ratings, and is suitable for various vehicles and equipment.

➀ Melexis has expanded its Triaxis magnetic sensing IC range with new dual-die variants; ➁ The MLX90425 and MLX90426 offer 5 mT stray field immunity and 360° rotary detection for enhanced safety and autonomy; ➂ These ICs are designed to meet the growing demands of the electric vehicle market and ensure functional safety.

➀ JAE has expanded its DX07 Series with a new waterproof receptacle connector; ➁ Designed to mitigate risks of short circuits and fire hazards caused by liquid ingress; ➂ Features IPX8 waterproof rating, 5A rated current, and 48V r.m.s. rated voltage.

➀ In 2022, 1,552 autonomous vehicles (AVs) driving 5.7 million miles were reported for testing in California, with a collision rate of 96.7 per 1,000 vehicles and 26.3 per million vehicle miles. ➁ Most collisions were minor and often caused by other traffic participants. ➂ The actual collision figures may be higher due to underreporting.

➀ Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg have developed a new gel to enhance the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries. ➁ The gel prevents electrolyte leakage and improves battery lifespan and efficiency. ➂ Initial tests show increased stability and potential for easier recycling, though more long-term studies are needed before industrial-scale production.

➀ The transition to smart brakes involves continuous engineering challenges, especially in ensuring safety and performance. ➁ Advanced braking technologies like fully decoupled brake-by-wire systems are increasingly adopted in electric vehicles, posing new calibration challenges. ➂ The ultimate solution for braking systems is expected to be the Electro-Mechanical Brake (EMB), which offers faster response times and potential cost savings, though it faces regulatory and technical hurdles before mass adoption.

➀ CrossBot, a new robotic innovation, is designed to address the crossing guard shortage in the Bay Area. ➁ Priced between $15,000 and $17,000, it offers a decade of service, ensuring children's safety at school crosswalks. ➂ Equipped with advanced technology including Lidar, radar, and sophisticated algorithms, CrossBot can monitor its surroundings with a 360-degree view, ensuring minimal error in detecting vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.

1. Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has introduced the RCX3-SMU, a safety unit for SCARA and Cartesian robots, enhancing safety with features like Safe Torque Off and speed monitoring. 2. The unit includes functions such as Safe Stop 1 and Area Monitoring to ensure safe robot operation. 3. This development addresses the increasing safety requirements for industrial robots due to labor shortages and advanced automation needs in fields like IoT and CASE.

1. Melexis has qualified its MLX91220 and MLX91221 current sensors to UL/IEC 62368-1 for reinforced isolation, enhancing safety for high voltage applications like electric vehicle battery packs. 2. The sensors now meet reinforced isolation standards without needing additional isolation amplifiers in the design. 3. These sensors are available in SOIC8 and SOIC16 packages with improved creepage distances and high bandwidth and response times.