Articles

LiDAR Goes Digital

Early LiDAR sensors, built on legacy mechanical architectures, proved the possibility of 3D perception but struggled to meet the demands of production. As the industry matures, the focus has shifted from simply detecting objects to doing so reliably, at scale, and at a price point suitable for commercial deployment. Read on to learn more.

An Industrial Edge Layer Creates a Safe OT-IT Interface

Edge software provides the controlled, secure interface manufacturers need to comply with the 2024 EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and other security mandates. Read on to learn more.

COTS Edge AI Accelerators for SWaP-C Constrained Defense and Space Systems

Edge AI is beginning to incorporate compact generative approaches to support greater autonomy. This shift is accelerating the adoption of COTS edge AI accelerators as an alternative to centralized processing and legacy radiation-hardened compute architectures. Read on to learn more.

Advanced MES Capabilities for Semiconductor Front-End Manufacturing

Replacing an outdated solution with a next-generation MES can radically improve user experience and eliminate obsolete IT languages, operating systems, and hardware platforms. It can expand functionality in a single system and keep pace with change, supporting the entire processing lifecycle. Read on to learn more.

Products of Tomorrow

See the products of tomorrow, including a new material that can use sunlight and water to convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide; a novel design for solar-powered data centers that will orbit the Earth and could realistically scale to meet the growing demand for AI computing while reducing the environmental impact of data centers; and more.

Redefining the Automotive Industry with Versatile Innovation

In November 2023, technology development company Ganaio’s regenerative damper won the Automotive/Transportation category at the Create the Future contest. Find out what they’ve been up to since then.

A Software-Defined Framework for Interpreting Impedance Signals at Scale

This article presents an impedance-native, software-defined diagnostic framework developed at Energsoft that shifts the focus from impedance measurement to impedance interpretation. Read on to learn more.

CES 2026: AI, EVs Need These Power Electronics Updates

Physical AI may have been the dominant keyword at CES 2026, but behind all the hype around that, there were still plenty of companies on hand in Las Vegas focused on less flashy headlines. Read on for some examples of companies working on the power electronics required behind the scenes to make our potential artificial intelligence future possible.

An Ultra-Low-Power Technology Expands Quantum and Space Potential

The year 2025, the International Year of Quantum Science & Technology, according to the United Nations, saw major advances in quantum computing and in the development of specialized technologies required to scale those systems. And there is now a consensus that cryogenic CMOS technology is one such tool that can have a significant positive impact on the quantum industry. Read on to learn more.

Executive Roundtable: AI in Machine Vision

In this special feature, we asked three industry experts — Eric Carey, CTO, Teledyne DALSA, Brian Benoit, Director of Advanced Vision Products at Cognex, and Ron Jubis, President of Sales, North America and Managing Director of SICK, Inc.— to share their thoughts on the impact of AI on machine vision, emerging challenges and best practices, as well as the trustworthiness of AI-driven visual inspection.

Bridging the Gap Between Analog and Digital Factory Automation Through Integrated Valves

Digital innovations in hydraulic components, such as digitally enhanced high-response directional valves, are moving the needle for machine builders and raising performance standards for machine builders. As hydraulic systems evolve, smart technology is enabling deeper connectivity for more productive machines. Read on to learn more.

Unlocking the Potential of 48V Robotic Systems

The shift from 12V to 48V systems is driven by the need for improved efficiency and reduced cooling requirements. Read on to learn more.

DC Fast-Charging Adapters Are a Transition Strategy, Not a Stopgap

In the evolution of fast charging, success will not be measured solely by how quickly a new standard is adopted, but by how responsibly the industry manages the journey there. Read on to learn more.

Shifting from Reactive to Preemptive Thermal Management

A shift from reactive to preemptive thermal management is particularly important for improving performance, efficiency, and service life. By maintaining a uniform, stable temperature and minimizing even small momentary disruptions to such a steady state, thermal management systems backed by coupled electrothermal modeling will be key to pushing the envelope for EV motor quality. Read on to learn more.

Products of Tomorrow

See the products of tomorrow, including Chalmers University of Technology's new sensor that is well suited to humid environments — and actually performs better the more humid it gets; a new fabrication technique that can produce multifunctional “smart synthetic skin” from a research team at Penn State; and RMIT University researchers' flexible nylon-film device that generates electricity from compression and keeps working even after being run over by a car multiple times.

Artemis II: The Final Countdown

Originally scheduled for September 2025, Artemis II, NASA’s first crewed mission in the Artemis program is now targeted no later than April 2026 for launch. Taking the crew around the Moon is going to be the agency’s first step toward sustained lunar presence. Read on to learn more about it.

The Intertwining of AI and Simulation in Automotive Design

By leveraging rich simulation data to train AI models, which can then be used to quickly explore a design space and guide further simulations, the existing product design process can be enhanced to become faster and more flexible. Read on to learn more.

Products of Tomorrow

See the products of tomorrow, including a bio-mimetic, light-powered soft lens that mimics the human eye’s ability to refocus and adjust to varying light conditions; a new material for insulating windows that could improve the energy efficiency of buildings worldwide; and more.

Lubricating Aerospace One Zulu Pod at a Time

On the heels of taking first place in the Aerospace & Defense category at the 2023 Create the Future Contest, Zulu Pods has grown in nearly every way imaginable and shows no signs of slowing down (nor a desire to!) at any point soon.

Solving AI’s Power Problem at the Chip Level

To address the staggering power and energy demands of AI, engineers have developed a revolutionary new thin-film material that promises to make AI devices significantly faster while dramatically cutting energy consumption. In this interview, Alamgir Karim, who is leading the research, discusses the new approach, its benefits, and how Nobel Prize-winning chemistry enabled this discovery.

High-Voltage Switch Innovation for Electric Power Systems

Pinggao Group focuses on the development and production of high-voltage and ultra-high-voltage electrical equipment. Different teams at the company use simulation to explore in depth the factors that affect the performance of high-voltage switches as well as to optimize switch designs and predict the operational status of equipment. Read on to learn more about the work.

Products of Tomorrow

See the products of tomorrow, including a new nanoscale optical device that works at room temperature to entangle the spin of photons (particles of light) and electrons to achieve quantum communication; a dust sensor for use in space environments; and more.

Advances in Fiber Laser Welding for E-Mobility Manufacturing

As electric vehicle designs change and production targets grow even more aggressive, advanced laser welding technologies have continued to evolve to help manufacturers be more efficient and stay competitive. Read on to learn more about it.

Countering the New Threat from the Sky: Advanced IR Imaging Zoom Lenses for C-UAS Systems

This article highlights requirements for an IR imaging C-UAS platform and examines the design of one state-of-the-art lens system for this application. Read on to learn more.

Enhancing Signal Integrity and Security in Aerospace: RF-Over-Fiber Optics Hybrid Communications Technology

Although RF-over-Fiber systems are engineered and ruggedized to withstand harsh environments, aerospace systems remain vulnerable to environmental stressors that can degrade the performance of components over time. Maintaining signal integrity requires consistent testing and preventative maintenance of key equipment. Read on to learn more.

A Guide to Cost-Effective Thermal Lens Integration: What to Know for Defense and Autonomous Vehicle Applications

From autonomous vehicles navigating in darkness to UAVs detecting threats, thermal imaging steps in when visible cameras fail — and lens design determines performance, cost, and reliability. Read on to learn more.

Co-Developing Illumination and Imaging Systems for Medical Fluorescence Endoscopy

Endoscopic imaging system development requires coordination between various engineering disciplines, especially for optical illumination and imaging engines, particularly when adding fluorescence imaging capabilities. Read on to learn more about it.

The Future of Axial- and Radial-Flux Motors

Traditionally, most motors used in EVs and mobility platforms have been radial flux systems. In recent years, there have been major strides in alternative axial flux motor architectures. What exactly do these architectural differences mean for motor design and production? Read on to find out.

EV Industry Grapples with Unprecedented Battery Regulation Compliance Challenges

The EU Battery Regulation demands unprecedented granularity in supply chain tracking. Read on to learn more about what this means.