Sensors Simplified

The cost of robotics development has decreased significantly in recent years, making it more accessible to a wider range of people. This is due to factors such as advances in manufacturing techniques and the development of more affordable components. Additionally, the proliferation of open-source hardware and software has democratized access to robotics technology, allowing enthusiasts, researchers, and small businesses to experiment and innovate without the need for large financial investments. As a result, a broader range of individuals and organizations can now explore the possibilities of robotics in various fields, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and education.

The development of more powerful edge computing platforms has enabled robots to process complex tasks efficiently and in real time. This increased computing power has made it possible to develop sophisticated algorithms for navigation, object recognition, and decision-making, thereby expanding the potential applications of robotics in a variety of environments. Additionally, miniaturized sensors, such as LiDAR, infrared, and ultrasonic sensors, have significantly improved a robot's ability to perceive and interpret its surroundings. These advancements have led to the development of robots with enhanced spatial awareness, allowing them to navigate through dynamic environments and interact with objects more accurately.

However, despite these advancements, building a robot from these components remains a highly complex and technically challenging task. Integrating various hardware components and ensuring their seamless interaction requires advanced knowledge of electronics, mechanics, and software engineering. A recently released device called the TDK Sensor Board may help to take some of the complexities out of this process. By making several important sensors available on a single board, and accessible via a standard 40-pin header that is compatible with a number of edge computing platforms, environmental sensing can be integrated into any robotics project.

The Sensor Board is installed by attaching the header to either a powerful NVIDIA Jetson Orin Developer Kit for high-end and industrial applications, or a Raspberry Pi for hobbyist-class projects. Once attached, the developer has immediate access to a slew of high-precision sensors, including the ICM-45605 6-axis MEMS inertial measurement unit (IMU) with BalancedGyro technology. This IMU also has an onboard digital motion processor that makes it well-suited for machine learning applications.

To give robots further information about their surroundings, the Sensor Board also has an ICP-20100 pressure sensor for measuring altitude or underwater depth. Digital filters allow for common sources of noise to be eliminated, which reduces the downstream burden on compute resources. A temperature sensor, magnetometer, motor controller, time-of-flight sensor, and digital microphone are also incorporated into the board. Each of these sensors has impressive performance characteristics and features in line with the high-end IMU and pressure sensor offerings.

Having everything in one package is convenient, to be sure, but naturally you do not necessarily want your time-of-flight sensor, microphone, and IMU all located in the same place. To account for this, flex cables can be utilized to relocate the various sensors to different positions on a robot. For example, the microphone might be on the head, while the IMU is on an arm, and so on. The platform was designed with flexibility in mind, so that numerous applications can be supported.

TDK has committed to open-sourcing drivers for the sensors to simplify development efforts. They promise to deliver both Linux and ROS 2 drivers for all of the sensors on the TDK Sensor Board so that everyone has the ability to unlock the full potential of the system, and if necessary, even customize the software for their own purposes. With the features and conveniences offered by the Sensor Board, TDK hopes that it will serve as a catalyst for future innovations in robotics.