Service robots are widely used in various situations such as logistics / transport, security, cleaning, housework, hobbies / entertainment and care / assistance. Since service robots are used in a wide variety of situations, it is necessary to fulfil many requirements such as smooth communication with humans (HMI), ensuring safety and responding to changes in the real time. In service robots, the role of a sensor is very important. In this article, we will take a vacuum cleaner robots as an example.

This is an electric double-layer capacitor with a metal foil laminate film (EDLC/supercapacitors).Low-resistance electric double-layer capacitors (EDLC/supercapacitors) are effective as capacitors for providing supplementary power during peak output, backup during power supply loss, energy harvesting, or regenerative energy storage. They are thin and lightweight, which makes them appealing for use in mobile products.

ThermoFuse® Varistors are used for overvoltage protection with an additional thermal element as safety feature.
Over the last years the fail safe functions got more popular and as a result the variety of thermally protect varistors increased on the market which resulted in many designs for different sizes and surge capabilities.
This article will show the benefits and features of TDK ThermoFuse® Varistor vs Standard Varistors.

TDK Corporation presents a new series of current-compensated EPCOS double-ring core chokes for the suppression of common-mode interferences.

TDK Corporation (TSE: 6762) presents the EPCOS E10 EM series, a new range of insulated SMT transformers that are suitable for various DC/DC converter topologies and gate driver circuits in e-mobility and industrial electronics. There are four models in the series, with basic winding insulation of a working voltage of 500 VRMS and reinforced insulation of 300 VRMS. The turns ratio is between 1:0.76 and 4:1, depending on the model.

TDK Corporation (TSE: 6762) presents a new range of highly accurate differential pressure sensors (part number B58621V*), designed as printed circuit boards. The sensors are designed for measurement ranges of 16 mbar full-scale (FS), 100 mbar FS and 7 bar FS, with absolute accuracy of up to ±1 percent FS at temperatures from -20 °C to +70 °C.

NFC is an abbreviation of Near Field Communication; it is a type of short-range wireless communications.
NFC is a function that can perform data communications and authentication when two NFC-compatible devices are brought close together, and adoption in smart phones has been growing rapidly in recent years.
Increased use in peripheral devices including wearable terminals, such as smart watches, has also been observed.
NFC is used in many situations including cashless payment and authentication of connections with peripheral devices, and it is expected to be used for even more diverse applications as we move towards a touchless society.
This article introduces the main components used in NFC circuits: NFC antenna, magnetic sheet, LC filter inductor, single-end circuit balun, and electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC/supercapacitor).

TDK Corporation (TSE: 6762) presents two new series of ThermoFuse® varistors, which are equipped with monitor outputs and integrated thermal protective components for overvoltage protection.
The MT25 series (B72225M*) currently covers a voltage range from 150 VRMS to 385 VRMS, and its maximum surge current capability is 20 kA at a pulse form of 8/20 µs, according to IEC 61643-11. With dimensions of 25 x 28 x 14 mm, the completely encapsulated protective components feature a particularly compact design. Their monitor outputs are optionally available with or without electrical isolation.

PiezoListen is the world's first piezoelectric type speaker that supports a wide range. Thanks to a world leading thinness of 0.49 mm, it can fit almost anywhere. The product causes the object to which it is glued to vibrate and thereby become a speaker. Because the entire surface vibrates, the sound has wide directivity, and uniform sound can be enjoyed at any location. You can also listen to music from Piezo Listen ™ piezo speakers.

TDK Corporation presents a new packing unit for CeraCharge®, the world’s first SMD technology solid-state rechargeable battery, in the compact size EIA 1812 (4.4 x 3.0 x 1.1 mm3). The packing unit (B73180A0101M199) includes 10 blister-packed CeraCharge batteries which come in a vacuum-sealed plastic bag. The components are manufactured in regular series production and are suitable for test purposes, prototype construction and the installation of pilot lines. The packing unit can be obtained quickly and easily from selected TDK service distributors.