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Here comes a luxury problem! One of the stronger factors discouraging potential users to opt for STMicroelectronics microcontrollers traditionally has been: there are too many to choose from. Some people find this fascinating and a sign of constant technological progress, while others are in constant uncertainly as to which ‘STM32’ device or board is the best for the application at hand. Frankly, with STMicro’s enormous product range it’s easy to lose count of the number of ARM and ARM-Cortex based processors.

Using the PiJuice from PiSupply you can use your Raspberry Pi without a mains power adapter. Or for a while anyway. It has been designed as a UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) and can ride through several hours. The PiJuice is configured as a HAT for the Raspberry Pi and plugs without any problems onto the 40-pin RPi header.

Retrofitting speech recognition to existing objects is possible thanks to all sorts of kits that have started popping up the last few years. In this article we look at one of these: the Grove Speech Recognizer Kit for Arduino from Seeed.

Among the many  HAT accessories available for the Raspberry Pi, the Uninterruptable Power Supply aptly called PiJuice is a remarkable one. By lifting fundamental limitations, the PiJuice is a very user friendly way to increase the performance of your Pi applications. It allows the use of your Raspberry Pi far from any power adapter, making it more portable than ever.

What functions can be expected from incorporating machine vision in DIY embedded projects at reasonable cost? The multitude of processes involved far exceed the capabilities of simple sensors. We may need motion detection, colour & marker tracking, face detection & eye tracking. In many applications, recognising and reading QR Codes are very useful functions. All these and many more are available on one single board using high-level ready-to-use Python scripts.

Do you also see the miniaturization of surface mounted components as a frustration? The video presented here demonstrates that the manual soldering of SMD components is just a technique, within reach of anyone’s abilities. That’s not to minimize the importance of having the right tools: a fine but adequately powerful soldering iron, a microscope (here an Andonstar ADSM201), good lighting and finally solder and solder paste or flux.

The video chosen for you by Elektor TV this week describes the experimenter’s Google AI Voice Kit, with which Google attempts to put “his” intelligence to the service of voice communication between man and machine. One has to wonder about the deeper motives of Google’s “generosity” in this, but it is certainly worthy of our attention. A cardboard box to talk to Big Brother, now that’s unusual.

The PD Campus team comprises innovative educators who deliver professional development experiences to K-12 teachers looking to integrate STEM in their classes. We recently asked them about PD Campus, STEM Camp EDU, and STEM movement.

When it comes to choosing the right type of accelerometer, understanding product capabilities and assessing test conditions are essential for choosing the right solution. The following is a primer on the options to consider for meeting all the necessary measurement requirements.

Car manufacturers are increasingly seeking ways to reduce driver distraction through implementing functional safety technology in vehicles. Many Human Machine Interface (HMI) designers are turning to gesture recognition as a solution to improve driver and vehicle safety without sacrificing interior design, adding features that allow drivers to easily control everything from switching on lights to answering phone calls while focusing on the road. Microchip Technology Inc. today announced a new three-dimensional (3D) gesture recognition controller that offers the lowest system cost in the automotive industry, providing a durable single-chip solution for advanced automotive HMI designs. The MGC3140 joins Microchip’s family of easy-to-use 3D gesture controllers as the first qualified for automotive use.

The semiconductor industry continues to grow. According to SIA, global sales of semiconductors hit $38.7 billion in May 2018, which was an increase of 21% compared to May 2017. Catch up on this week's electronics industry news and more.