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24 | The Future of Robotics Texas Instruments mmWave sensors mmWave sensors use radio waves and their echoes to determine the direction and distance of a moving object by measuring three components: velocity, angle, and range. This enables robots to take more predictive actions based on how fast objects are approaching the sensor. Radar sensors deliver excellent performance in the dark and can sense through materials such as drywall, plastic, and glass. Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) mmWave radar sensors enable the highly accurate measurement of not only the distance of objects in their field of view, but also the relative velocities of any obstacles. TI's highly integrated single-chip mmWave radar sensors are small, lightweight and enable real-time processing to occur within the sensor edge, often removing the need for additional processors. mmWave technology enables designs that are three times smaller and half the weight of miniature LIDAR range finders. This lowers bill-of-materials costs, makes for a small sensor, and reduces the million instructions per second needed from the central controller processor versus vision-based systems. Mounted directly behind enclosure plastics without external lenses, apertures or sensor surfaces, the sensors are extremely rugged and can meet the Ingress Protection 69K standard. mmWave sensors were initially expensive and large, and required multiple discrete components. Now, however, driven by TI's integration of radio-frequency, processing and memory resources onto a single monolithic CMOS die, it is reasonable to say that mmWave sensors will complement or displace established sensing technologies in robotics over the coming years. Figure 3: Robotic arm using mmWave sensors. More advanced radar sensing systems can ensure very accurate odometry through the addition of an inertial measurement unit that's sometimes augmented with GPS. mmWave sensors can supply additional odometer information for robots that traverse over uneven terrain or have a lot of chassis pitch and yaw by sending chirp signals toward the ground and measuring the Doppler shift of the return signal. TI Solutions Handle the Entire AI Robotics Signal Chain The signal chain for adaptive, self-learning AI robotic systems requires a fusion of diverse sensor data in real time. The sensors of a cobot are in some ways like the five human senses, and all of our senses are critical for fully autonomous operation. Each of our senses use different parts of the brain and different amounts of the brain's processing. For example, vision requires more brain power than hearing or smelling. Analogously, robots will have more and more sensors connected to AI and ML systems that run inside the robot, with the key challenge for AI robotic system manufacturers being the need to address multiple AI systems running and communicating together for a hybrid ML system driven by data from hybrid sensors. Robot developers depend on advanced integrated circuit solutions to minimize the headaches of circuit design and certification, speeding the development of products that they can deliver to industrial customers quickly. The ICs that enable advances in industrial robots must provide precise sensing, high-speed sensor signal conversion, fast computation/ signal processing for real-time response and high-speed communications. ICs also enable high-efficiency and small- form-factor power supplies in conjunction with advanced semiconductors such as GaN field-effect transistors. New ICs also bring new standards to the industry, such as single twisted- pair Ethernet and power over single-twisted pair, which reduces cabling complexity and enhances reliability. TI can provide everything from the sensors to the processors needed for next-generation robotics, with a broad product and solutions portfolio that spans the entire AI robotics signal chain. From sensor input to actuator or motor output, from individual equipment units to factory-level control and beyond, TI solutions handle the signal chain as well as the processing and power required for robotic applications. Products include features such as reinforced isolation and are tested and qualified for use in harsh industrial environments. Learn more about analog and embedded technologies from TI that enable you to develop today's most intelligent and sophisticated robot systems. ■ Learn More Sitara ™ Arm Cortex-A Processors The sensors of a cobot are in some ways like the five human senses. " "