2024 CES INNOVATION AWARDS HONORS TDK’S AI TECHNOLOGY

A premier event in the consumer technology sector, the 2024 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is one of the world's most influential and well-respected tech events. CES serves as a crucial platform for companies and innovators to feature their latest advancements and products in consumer technology.

Once again, TDK was proud to have participated in CES to showcase our expanding vision toward technology and software solutions for a connected world. This year’s event gives us a chance to present cutting-edge innovations for robotics, automotive/mobility, IoT, and machine learning solutions.

At this year’s show, Qeexo, a TDK Group Company, collaborated with Doosan Robotics and received an honoree award for its Artificial Intelligence (AI) application at the 2024 CES Innovation Awards. And, as announced in January 2024, the i3 Micro Module was awarded a 2023 Product of the Year Award from Electronic Products Magazine for its built-in edge AI and wireless mesh connectivity capabilities with end-to-end “no-code” capabilities.

As can be seen from our award-winning solutions, TDK continues to transition from being a pure component manufacturer to a comprehensive technology solutions provider. Our focus is on future-forward innovations that provide OEMs and consumers with answers for a connected tomorrow. In the course of this article, we want to look more in detail at those cutting-edge solutions, starting with our collaboration between Qeexo and Doosan.

Highlighting Qeexo’s 2024 Award for AI Innovation

Qeexo and Doosan Robotics were recognized as honorees in the 2024 CES Innovation Awards for their joint effort in designing and engineering an AI-driven recycling and order-picking robot.

Their joint project, Oscar the Sorter, is a collaborative robot (cobot) equipped with AI and machine learning. It can determine current values to identify distinct items, thus negating the necessity for vision technology. This enables a limitless deep learning system and classification capabilities, with cobots adept at discerning various shapes and tailoring their functionality to the particular task at hand.

So, what does this mean for the actual application? Well, Oscar the Sorter is pretty handy in learning about which items to dispose of and in what way - See for yourself!

AutoML from Qeexo, coupled with Doosan's Dart-Suite, allows users to easily access an application designed for recycling and order collection and eliminates the need for advanced coding or programming expertise. Through a simple, user-friendly interface, the robot can be promptly instructed to identify and categorize objects.

Showcasing TDK’s Technology Featured at the 2024 CES Show

At the 2024 CES Show, TDK’s team presented a wide variety of software technology solutions, including:

• AutoML from Qeexo brings the InvenSense IIM46235 AI CbM Module (IIM-46235) for condition-based monitoring (CBM) with end-to-end “no-code” capabilities.Qeexo AutoML is designed to make it easier and less cumbersome for developers to deploy machine learning models on resource-constrained edge devices such as smartphones, IoT devices, and microcontrollers. Qeexo AutoML allows users to build and train machine learning models without requiring in-depth expertise in machine learning using:
• IIM46235 - an intelligent AI condition-based monitoring module with a 6-axis motion tracking system (with a combined 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope sensor module) that can easily be interfaced with Qeexo AutoML automated machine learning platform. The IIM46235 enables fast and easy development of edge AI condition-based monitoring and predictive maintenance solutions.
• Edge AI and the IoT - Edge AI involves deploying AI algorithms and models onto local edge devices, such as IoT devices or sensors. This allows for real-time data analysis and processing without needing constant cloud infrastructure.
• TinyML - TinyML facilitates model inference on edge devices with low latency, minimal power consumption, and reduced bandwidth requirements. Its objective is to bring the power of machine learning and artificial intelligence to edge devices with limited processing power, memory, and energy resources.

AUTO, from Trusted Positioning, a TDK Group Company, offers solutions and software products that combine inertial sensors, GNSS for autonomous driving, robotics for autonomous and semi-autonomous driving, and more. AUTO uses sensor fusion for localization that integrates data from various sensors to enhance the accuracy and robustness of information regarding a vehicle's or device's position and the reliability of this data.

Essential in mobility-related fields, AUTO’s positioning software is being successfully used in GPS navigation systems, self-driving cars, commercial robotics, and commercial off road vehicles. AUTO ensures these systems accurately determine device location, especially in GNSS denied or degraded environments (e.g., multi-path, tunnels, parking garages, and orchards and row crops).

As software-defined vehicles become increasingly common, we can anticipate a rise in advanced capabilities in intelligent mobile platforms. As leading disruptors in the worldwide automotive scene, these vehicles are revolutionizing how we operate and engage with our cars.

Additional TDK Technology featured at 2024 CES Show

In addition to AutoML and AUTO technology, TDK experts also presented a variety of innovative solutions encompassing areas such as electric mobility, advanced driver assistance systems, autonomous vehicles, industrial and service robotics, 5G technology, smarter hearables with true wireless stereo, machine learning systems, IoT innovations, and renewable energy solutions.

Other exciting demonstrations (utilizing TDK tech solutions) that captured the crowd’s imagination included:

• VENUE, from TDK Group Company Trusted Positioning, is an IoT solution for indoor locating within large factories and logistic warehouse facilities. Utilizing geomagnetic, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi signals, VENUE can locate people, assets, and vehicles in most indoor environments within 1-3 meters, effectively extending GPS positioning indoors. This Software as a Service (SaaS) solution is a first for TDK, offering a total solution for integration into operations.
• A soccer ball equipped with MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) for measuring high?impact applications enabling precise analysis
• A robotic lawn mower with sensing technologies
• A door lock with ultrasonic sensing capabilities
• A smart cane able to detect obstacles for sight-impaired individuals
• And much more

CES Offers an Extraordinary Opportunity to Showcase TDK’s Expanding Vision

CES is known as a launchpad for innovations, where groundbreaking technologies are first introduced. It's where you can observe the direction consumer technology is moving, whether in smart home devices, AI, VR/AR, mobile technology, or other areas. Companies, ranging from tech giants to startups, unveil their latest products and innovations at CES, providing a glimpse into the future of technology.

Each year, CES offers tech leaders and innovators a global audience, plus highly beneficial networking, by attracting attendees from around the globe, including industry professionals, media, and tech enthusiasts. This diverse gathering facilitates networking, partnerships, and collaboration on a global scale.

Ultimately, CES has come to define consumer choices. The technologies and products displayed at CES often determine what will be available in the market in the coming months and years, influencing consumer behaviors and lifestyles.

A Successful Event

At this year's event, TDK representatives presented over 30+ technology displays and experiences, highlighting a range of components, sensors, and system solutions catering to the full range of electronic applications for both industrial and consumer users.

As the 2024 CES Show ended, bags were packed, and goodbyes were said as we looked forward to next year's event.