Dual-axis thermal sensor in robotics kits
A
Memsic product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Feb 5, 2003
Memsic's dual-axis sensor is increasing the efficiency Parallax' robots.
Memsic, a provider of CMOS-based MEMS accelerometers/sensors, has partnered with Parallax, the developer of the Basic Stamp, the leading microcontroller available to the education and hobby marketplaces.
Parallax is using Memsic's dual-axis thermal sensors to improve the functionality of its most popular robotic products, the Toddler and the Boe-Bots, and to introduce a significant prototype audience to Memsic's technology.
The dual-axis sensor is capable of measuring dynamic acceleration (vibration) and static acceleration (gravity) with a range of +/-2g.
Implemented with the Basic Stamp, possible applications for the Memsic dual-axis sensor include dual-axis tilt sensing for autonomous robotics applications; single-axis rotational position sensing; movement or lack of movement sensing for alarm systems; and R/C hobby projects such as autopilots.
"The Memsic sensor is perfect for our needs", said Ken Gracey, Vice President of Technology for Parallax.
"The sensor increases the efficiency of our walking robots because users can set limits on how far the robot leans rather than walking in an open-loop control fashion".
"We believe that the Memsic sensor is the perfect complement to the BASIC Stamp and our robots".
The Rocklin, California-based Parallax (www.parallax.com), founded in 1987, is including the Memsic sensor in its robotic evaluation kits with the Basic Stamp, a microcontroller that has been customised to understand the BASIC programming language.
In addition to hobbyists, the company supplies robotics to over 6000 educational users.
Over 45,000 units of the Boe-Bot have been sold.
"The Parallax partnership is a great opportunity for Memsic to take advantage of firmly established business channels", said Memsic CEO, Yang Zhao.
"With the inclusion of the Memsic sensor in Parallax's evaluation kit, Parallax is improving what is already an outstanding offering and introducing Memsic to a new and exciting client base".
The dual-axis sensor is based on heat convection and requires no proof mass, eliminating stiction issues associated with other devices.
The ICs are fully programmable at the end of the manufacturing cycle and integrate the electronics and sensor on the same IC,, saving customers money - up to 50% less than its nearest competition - and space.
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