TE wireless connectivity helps the next generation of service robots!

The "OFweek 2024 (13th) China Robotics Industry Conference" hosted by OFweek, a Chinese high-tech portal, and organized by OFweek Robotics was successfully held in Shenzhen from April 18 to 19. At the "Innovative Technology Application" special session held on the afternoon of the first day, Liu Xiaomin, account manager of TE Connectivity (TE), delivered a keynote speech entitled "TE Wireless Connectivity, Empowering the Innovative Future of the Next Generation of Service Robots ".

With the rapid development of the robotics industry, the functions of robots are becoming more diversified and universal, and their application scenarios are also expanding and extending. We are always committed to creating a safer, sustainable, efficient and interconnected future, jointly building an innovative ecosystem for service robots, and continuing to deepen the application of future robots.

As a global industry technology leader in connectivity and sensing, TE has demonstrated sustained growth momentum in areas such as electric transportation and renewable energy applications, and has also achieved positive performance in the field of robotics.

In the era of the Internet of Things where everything is connected, antennas have become an important part of wireless IoT devices.

In September 2021, TE acquired Laird Connectivity's antenna business, further expanding its broad connectivity product portfolio, particularly in antennas and wireless solutions for Internet of Things (IoT) devices and edge access, expanding its engineering and manufacturing scope, and increasing its presence in several attractive market segments.

For a variety of service robots such as welcoming robots, food delivery robots, transport robots, cleaning robots, etc., TE can provide antenna type products such as Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, NFC, UWB, GNSS, multi-port, and various connector type products such as micro coaxial connectors, fine pitch FPC connectors, USB connectors, power connectors, D-type connectors, RJ45 connectors, board-to-wire connectors, etc.

At the scene, Liu Xiaomin introduced a number of TE's star products to the guests.

0.4mm ultra-small pitch board-to-board/BTFPC connector : This product can provide 8 to 40 holes, with a stacking height range of 0.8 mm to 0.98 mm and a width range of 2.0 mm to 2.98 mm. Its advantages are compact size and cost savings while providing a wider range of pins; it can achieve secure insertion with a multi-point contact system, and the nickel barrier layer can help reduce solder leakage problems.

MULTI-BEAM XLE power connector : This product has two hot-swappable power terminals to choose from, namely 80A high-power terminals and 20A low-power terminals. Its plug-in force is more than 40% lower than the original MULTI-BEAM XL connector. While the overall PCB space remains unchanged, the current is increased by more than 40%, and the low-wear terminal design meets Telcordia environmental exposure requirements. The new design allows for greater angular deviation.

At present, this product is mainly used in modular hot-swappable power supplies, 1U/2U servers, high-end computer and telecommunication equipment, power distribution circuit boards, power distribution cable assemblies, etc.

2.0mm Pitch AMP CT Connector Series : This connector has two termination methods, IDC and crimp; discrete wire interconnect, 2-15 position single row circuit, 8-30 position double row circuit, AWG 22 - 30, can be used for self-retaining twist-ties on the circuit board, and is RoHS compliant, and many components are certified to the Underwriters Laboratories Inc. part program, file number E28476, and the Canadian Standards Association, file number LR 7189.

High Performance Interconnect (HPI) Connector : This product features a centerline of 1.0mm - 2.5mm, vertical and horizontal PCB mounting, through-hole (DIP) and surface mount termination (SMT) polarization, and partial and full shielding. At the same time, its square termination column provides locking and gold plating options, up to 2A. At present, this product is mainly used in commercial/retail equipment, consumer equipment, industry, automobile, medical , home appliances and other fields.

Spring clip : This product is mainly used for grounding between devices and PCBs, providing shielding for any application that may cause vibration within the device, such as motors, speakers, and microphones. At the same time, it provides a cost-effective antenna feeding solution for all types of devices. As a connector for simple stacking applications between primary and secondary PCBs, its height ranges from 0.8 mm to 7 mm, and it saves PCB space and can be soldered and picked and placed using standard equipment. It is mainly used in multiple scenarios, including mobile phones, wearable devices, game consoles, tablets, patient monitoring equipment, location scanners, security systems, GPS devices, etc.

In order to let the guests fully understand TE's high-quality products, Liu Xiaomin gave several examples in her speech. Among them, she took "Wi-Fi & GNSS antennas applied to lawn mowing robots " as an example. Because the antenna has high precision and wide coverage, the work efficiency has been improved. At the same time, it has multi-directional seamless connection and rugged mechanical design, which is suitable for mobile applications.

In addition, in the field of automated warehousing , TE Wi-Fi 6E antennas for AGV systems have advanced wireless communication performance. With TE's excellent quality assurance, the antenna ensures that AGVs maintain stability and reliability in various industrial environments.

TE's Wi-Fi 6E antennas are used with AGV systems to provide reliable wireless communication solutions, improve production efficiency, ensure smooth operation, and reduce system maintenance costs. Whether it is to improve efficiency or enhance the level of industrial automation , TE antennas are an indispensable tool.

With the continuous development and progress of science and technology, the global manufacturing industry is undergoing a revolution of digitalization , intelligence and automation. As the key equipment for automation transformation, the technological innovation and development trend of industrial robots have also become the focus of attention.

In the future, TE will continue to focus on realizing the key trends of future factory automation, improving the flexibility of robots, reducing total costs, enhancing their safety and durability, and further optimizing the design of robots to better meet market needs.