STMicroelectronics: Innovating with Motor Control, AI, and Sensors
STMicroelectronics (ST) is at the forefront of technological innovation, consistently pushing the boundaries of energy efficiency, performance, and intelligence in electronics. With a focus on integrating cutting-edge technologies into everyday applications, ST’s latest solutions are designed to enhance user experience, optimize performance, and meet the growing demands of smart living. From motor control in home appliances to advanced sensor technologies and ultra-low-power radio solutions, ST is shaping the future of consumer and industrial devices. Below, we explored some of ST’s groundbreaking and sustainable products that reflect this commitment to innovation at electronica India 2024.
Motor Control + Edge AI Washing Machine
The Motor Control + Edge AI Washing Machine, developed by STMicroelectronics, revolutionizes the washing machine industry by combining Field-Oriented Control (FOC) sensorless technology with Nano Edge AI for unprecedented energy and water efficiency. This solution allows washing machine manufacturers to precisely measure laundry weight with 100g accuracy, enabling optimal water and energy use. This results in a double-digit improvement in energy efficiency compared to standard machines.
At the heart of this innovation is ST’s SLLIMM Intelligent Power Module (IPM), which provides high-performance motor control, ensuring smooth and efficient operations. The system also benefits from an advanced user interface, created using ST’s TouchGFX graphical framework, enabling the rapid development of intuitive, responsive displays. ST’s integration of AI and motor control in washing machines sets a new standard for sustainability and precision in home appliances.
MEMS Sensor with Inbuilt Orientation Tracking Algorithm
ST’s MEMS Sensor technology takes motion tracking to the next level, featuring an embedded orientation tracking algorithm designed for robotic and vehicle tracking applications. The latest generation of ST’s IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) sensors, such as the LSM6DSV (consumer) and ISM330BX (industrial), processes motion data from an accelerometer, gyroscope, and optionally a magnetometer, delivering accurate 3D orientation data through quaternion output.
This Sensor Fusion capability, available via the STM32 MotionFX API, simplifies integration for developers while enhancing precision in applications ranging from autonomous vehicles to industrial robots. By combining sensor fusion with advanced motion tracking, STMicroelectronics enables devices to understand their position and orientation in complex environments, opening new possibilities for robotics, automation, and more.
IR Sense for Human Presence and Motion Detection
ST’s IR Sense (STHS34PF80) sensor introduces a breakthrough in human presence and motion detection, surpassing traditional PIR (Passive Infrared) technology. With TMOS technology, ST has eliminated the blind spots commonly associated with PIR sensors, allowing the system to detect both motion and the presence of stationary objects.
The STHS34PF80 offers an 80° field of view, with a detection range of up to 4 meters for objects as small as 70 x 25 cm² without the need for an additional lens. This low-power sensor, operating at just 10uA, integrates a silicon IR filter and embedded smart algorithms, making it ideal for smart home applications, security systems, and automation where reliable motion and presence detection are essential.
STM32WL33 with Ultra-Low-Power Wake Up Radio
ST’s STM32WL33 SoC is a highly integrated, Sub-GHz Ultra-Low-Power Radio solution, designed to reduce power consumption while enhancing the communication capabilities of IoT devices. The STM32WL33 combines 20dBm Tx Power with an internal power amplifier, providing reliable, long-range communication for a variety of IoT applications.
One of the standout features of the STM32WL33 is its Wake Up Radio, which operates with an ultra-low power always-on receiver at just 4.2µA. This allows the device to stay in low-power mode while still being able to wake up remotely, making it ideal for battery-operated IoT devices where extending battery life is critical. With evaluation boards like the NUCLEO-WL33CC1, developers can quickly integrate this technology into their designs, enabling smarter and more efficient IoT networks.
Conclusion
STMicroelectronics continues to drive innovation across industries, from home appliances to IoT and automation. Through the integration of motor control with AI, advanced MEMS sensors, cutting-edge IR detection, and ultra-low-power radio solutions, ST is setting the stage for a smarter, more connected world. With each of these products, ST is addressing key challenges in energy efficiency, precision, and communication, providing developers and manufacturers with the tools they need to create the next generation of smart devices.
