➀ The ROBDEKON Competence Center, focused on robotics for decontamination in hostile environments, was formally established as a nonprofit association (ROBDEKON e.V.) to ensure long-term innovation and collaboration with industrial partners;

➁ The association serves as a platform for research, training, and knowledge exchange in AI-based robotic systems, with applications extending to civil safety, agriculture, and construction;

➂ Members gain access to leading research institutions and influence the direction of R&D, while the center also aligns with Germany’s Robotics Institute to advance large-scale autonomous robotics technologies.

➀ The research project "MotorInspector" by IPH and MFP aims to automate air gap measurement in electric motors to enhance efficiency, longevity, and production costs;

➁ Focused on axial-flux motors (disk rotors), which are critical for e-mobility, the project integrates sensor-based measurement and robotic automation for quality control;

➂ Collaborating with industry experts, the team seeks practical insights to refine the automated system, targeting implementation in automotive and industrial motor production by 2027.

➀ ST reaches agreement to avoid layoffs at its Agrate site in Italy, abandoning initial plans for 1,200 redundancies in the country;

➁ The decision follows negotiations with Italian unions and government, with no structural changes planned at other Italian sites;

➂ ST attributes challenges to slow EV market adoption impacting its SiC business but eyes Agrate expansion by 2027 amid improved market conditions.

➀ Siemens introduces Tessent AnalogTest, a novel EDA tool automating analog testing in SoCs using digital scan-based methods and evolving IEEE standards (P2427, P1687.2).

➀ The solution reduces analog defect simulation times from days to minutes, integrates IJTAG for test access, and achieves 10X-100X faster test times while maintaining coverage comparable to traditional methods.

➁ By supporting ISO 26262 functional safety metrics and standardized defect modeling, the technology particularly benefits automotive applications needing high-reliability verification.

➀ Coto Technology introduces the CT04 series reed switch for compact devices, featuring hermetically sealed ruthenium contacts and surface-mount compatibility;

➁ Designed for high reliability and up to 1 billion cycles, it supports activation via electromagnets or permanent magnets;

➂ Targets applications in medical equipment, automotive electronics, and industrial automation where space and durability are critical.

➀ NREL's ULIS power module achieves 5x higher energy density and ultrafast switching with ultra-low inductance, offering cost-effective solutions for rising energy demands.

➀ Its compact octagonal design uses flexible polymer materials and predictive health monitoring, enhancing reliability for applications like data centers and electric vehicles.

➂ The module supports next-gen semiconductors and wireless operation, enabling modular deployment in power grids, aviation, and future fusion reactors.

➀ X-FAB inaugurated a $600 million production line in Sarawak, Malaysia, expanding wafer capacity to 40,000 per month and doubling output of its 180nm BCD-on-SOI technology;

➁ The BCD-on-SOI platform offers high-performance advantages for automotive, industrial, and medical applications, including extreme temperature resilience and enhanced reliability;

➂ The expansion, supported by Malaysian government partnerships, aims to meet rising global demand and drive innovation in smart automotive systems and medical devices.

➀ The semiconductor market is projected to grow 17.6% to $800 billion in 2025, driven by AI infrastructure, data centers, and accelerated computing, with compute segment revenues rising 36%;

➁ Automotive and industrial markets show gradual recovery, with automotive growth at 3% (supported by electrification and SiC/GaN adoption) and industrial growth at 11%, despite macroeconomic headwinds;

➂ Networking chips and optical interconnects lead expansion, addressing AI data bottlenecks, while wireless semiconductors grow 5% due to increased AI-enabled content per device.

➀ A fable reflects on a company's 11-year-old proposal for a 25 mph driverless car with no human controls, designed for urban environments;

➁ The narrative highlights the unpredictability of technological progress and the gap between past visions and present realities;

➂ Concludes with the moral: "The Future Is Not Always What It Used To Be", emphasizing evolving perspectives on innovation.

➀ German manufacturer MB Dynamics introduced vertical pitch and roll shaker tables for multi-axis vibration testing of drone, helicopter, and vehicle components, simulating complex real-world conditions like uneven roads and flight maneuvers;

➁ Two models (VPR 2825 and VPR 4050) offer peak forces of 2.8kN/4kN, support payloads up to 300kg, and feature displacements of 50mm peak-to-peak and rotations up to 5.7°;

➂ Applications include testing image stabilization systems, gimbals, and automotive seats, with low-noise operation suitable for buzz, squeak, and rattle analysis.

➀ Global semiconductor fab investment is forecast to reach $1.5 trillion from 2024 to 2030, driven by government subsidies and AI-driven server/network market growth, with AI accelerators projected to dominate 50% of datacentre semiconductor revenue;

➁ The automotive industry, fueled by EVs and autonomous driving, may see GaN/SiC power semiconductors exceed 60% share by 2030, while AI applications in home appliances (e.g., AR/VR) will boost demand for power-efficient chips;

➂ A talent gap of 100,000 engineers by 2030 and collaborative ecosystem transformations (fabless firms, foundries, IP vendors) are critical challenges and enablers for the semiconductor sector.

➀ HSBI and Stadtwerke Bielefeld collaborate on projects (ProSeCO and FlexLabQuartier) to enhance energy grid flexibility, integrating renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs) in the Sennestadt district;

➁ ProSeCO develops a probabilistic digital twin to optimize low-voltage grid management, while FlexLabQuartier promotes decarbonization by aligning EV charging with local solar power generation;

➂ The research emphasizes user-centric solutions, including app-based recommendations for sustainable energy use, to reduce CO2 emissions and ensure grid stability.

➀ Polymer hybrid capacitors combine liquid electrolyte and conductive polymer, offering lower equivalent series resistance (ESR) and enhanced reliability for high-performance applications;

➁ These capacitors excel in automotive, industrial, and telecom systems due to their durability, high-temperature tolerance, and vibration resistance;

➂ TAIYO YUDEN provides diverse product lines optimized for demanding environments, ensuring stable performance in automotive ECUs, power electronics, and compact consumer devices.

➀ Fraunhofer IOSB introduces AktiMeter, an innovative in-cabin monitoring system using Vision Language Models (VLMs) to detect any activity—including previously unknown scenarios—without retraining, enhancing autonomous vehicle safety and passenger comfort;

➁ Unlike traditional systems requiring specific activity training, AktiMeter leverages pre-trained AI knowledge to reduce development costs and time while ensuring local data processing for privacy compliance;

➂ The system benefits automakers in prototyping and market research through anonymized analytics, showcased at IAA Mobility 2025 as a leap in intelligent vehicle interiors.

➀ Littelfuse introduced the SZSMF6L Series TVS diodes to protect automotive and EV electronics from high-energy voltage spikes caused by load dumps, switching events, and ESD;

➁ The diodes offer 600 W peak pulse power in a compact SOD-123FL package, enabling space-constrained designs and supporting critical systems like EV powertrains and battery management;

➂ With 50% higher power handling than the previous series and a 175°C operating temperature, they provide enhanced reliability for automotive zonal architectures without board size increases.

➀ Prof. Paul Motzki was awarded the ERC Starting Grant to develop elastocaloric cooling systems using shape memory alloys and dielectric elastomer films, aiming for compact, eco-friendly solutions;

➁ The technology, with potential applications in residential and automotive cooling, achieves temperature differentials of 20°C and is part of EU-funded projects like EIC Pathfinder;

➂ Motzki’s team is integrating silicone film actuators and AI-driven controls to advance energy-efficient, sensor-free cooling and heating prototypes.

➀ ABLIC launches the S-19230/1 Series ultra-low power LDO regulator for 48V automotive systems, achieving an industry-leading 2.0µA operating current;

➁ Features 6-66V wide input range, 80V surge tolerance, adjustable 1.8-12V output with ±1.8% accuracy, and integrated safety protections for ECUs and safety-critical systems;

➂ Enables lighter wiring, reduced standby power consumption, and enhanced reliability in next-gen EVs/HEVs through automotive-grade design and triple-temperature testing.

➀ Fraunhofer ISI and IZM researchers forecast resource demand for 34 emerging technologies (e.g., electric vehicles, AI, data centers) by 2045, identifying critical materials like lithium and cobalt;

➁ Data centers and AI infrastructure are highlighted as major resource consumers, with exponential growth in data traffic posing supply chain risks;

➂ The study aims to inform Germany’s national resource strategy to mitigate supply bottlenecks and maintain industrial competitiveness amid geopolitical and environmental challenges

➀ Researchers at Fraunhofer IOSB developed the AktiMeter, an AI-powered system that logs and analyzes human movements in vehicles, capturing body positions, gestures, and activities;

➁ The technology combines computer vision, 3D modeling, and generative AI to enable real-time insights for ergonomic studies, automated driving applications, and market research;

➂ Plans for a 2026 market launch include validating reliability and creating a user-friendly interface, aiming to enhance vehicle safety, user experience, and AI-driven innovation in the automotive industry.

➀ Fraunhofer IOSB developed AktiMeter, an AI-driven system using computer vision to analyze passenger behavior and activities in vehicles in real-time, enhancing autonomous driving interactions.

➁ The technology combines 3D vehicle modeling, machine learning, and generative AI to handle unforeseen scenarios without cloud dependency, generating a digital twin of the cabin while ensuring GDPR compliance.

➂ Applications include market research, ergonomic studies, and autonomous vehicle development, with prototypes being tested and a commercial launch planned for mid-2026.