Day 2 of embedded world 2026 focused on rapid prototyping, modular systems, and AI-assisted development. Two booths that drew attention were DigiKey and Texas Instruments, each showing platforms and tools that helped engineers move from concept to working systems.

DigiKey Booth Highlights at Embedded World

At booth 4A-633, DigiKey presented a range of development platforms. Brian Tristam Williams spoke with David Sandys, Senior Director, Technical Enablement and Engagement.

One demo featured the XRP (Experiential Robotics Platform), developed with partners including Raspberry Pi, SparkFun, and FIRST Robotics. When a sensor was triggered, voltage levels and waveforms changed accordingly, showing the electrical interactions between controllers and hardware. The goal was educational as much as technical: helping students understand what actually happened electrically when a controller interacted with sensors and hardware.

DigiKey at embedded world

Another demo used the STM32N6 processor for AI gesture recognition. Different gestures triggered different interactions:

  • A thumbs-up gesture controlled gameplay
  • Number gestures started different games
  • A pinch gesture controlled movement in a Zigzag-style game

The demo showed how embedded AI could create intuitive, touchless human–machine interfaces using compact microcontroller hardware.

DigiKey at embedded world

In the final demo, DigiKey showed a Thread network combining hardware from multiple manufacturers, including:

  • NXP Freedom platform acting as the Thread router
  • A Curiosity board controlling a motor and a fan
  • Another Freedom platform acting as a Thread device
  • An STM32 board participating in the same network


All of these devices communicated within the same Thread network, coordinated through Home Assistant, the widely used open-source home automation platform.


DigiKey at embedded world

Brian Met with MIPI Alliance

During embedded world, Brian also met with the MIPI Alliance for an interview that will be published on Elektor’s channel. The discussion highlighted how I3C was growing rapidly and playing a key role in driving AI at the edge through its high-speed bus. Brian also expressed appreciation for previous collaborations with Elektor, reinforcing the ongoing partnership in supporting the embedded ecosystem.
 

Michele Scarlatella and Jonathan Georgio at embedded world 2026
Brian with Michele Scarlatella and Jonathan Georgino from MIPI

Texas Instruments Demonstrates AI Development in CCStudio

In hall 3A, booth 131, Texas Instruments demonstrated AI-assisted development tools in CCStudio IDE. The system could generate code, adjust peripherals, and modify device configurations automatically. It could also connect to the target device for flashing firmware, running programs, setting breakpoints, and inspecting variables. Sensor data could be used to train AI models on-device or on a PC before deployment.


TI

TI also showed next-generation vehicle architectures and zone-based designs for software-defined vehicles. These used high-speed Ethernet rings and advanced communication technologies to support safety-critical data and real-time control while reducing wiring. The platform allowed synchronized audio over Ethernet, remote-controlled edges, and centralized compute with over-the-air updates.
 

Day 2 covered many more interviews and demonstrations from embedded world 2026 that will soon be published on our site and channels. Stay tuned!