ST Introduces Solution via Robot at KES 2018
Demonstration of the application of ToF sensors, MEMS accelerometer sensors, etc.
Asratek, utilizing ST technology, including Microvision products

An embedded system is an electronic system existing within a device that performs specific control functions for machines or other systems requiring control. Such embedded systems are widely used in various fields of our daily lives.

Robots require the highest level of integrated systems. As we live in a world where robots can be easily encountered not only in industrial settings but also in homes, they are becoming increasingly familiar to us.

STMicroelectronics demonstrated a humanoid robot containing 47 of its products at the 2018 Korea Electronics Show, which encompassed the entire Korean electronics industry. Through this integrated demonstration, ST effectively and comprehensively showcased cutting-edge solutions that enhance the potential of robots, including processing, sensing, and connectivity.
ST's micro development boards were mounted on the head and chest of the robot demonstrated by ST. In addition, the head is equipped with a miniature projector and camera module, and a total of five Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors are installed, one on each ear, one on each fingertip, and one on the chest.

The torso, which is responsible for the robot's overall movement, is equipped with Asratec's Bushido Connect based on STM32, enabling real-time control of multiple motors with high precision.

The robot's sensors measure distance, temperature, atmospheric pressure, etc., and transmit the data wirelessly. Sensor data transmitted to the monitoring device is visually displayed by the system. In addition, MEMS accelerometers measure and transmit acceleration, gyroscopes measure angles, and geomagnetic sensors measure and transmit the Earth's magnetic field.

ST's robot demo consisted of a total of five sections.

The first demo is an obstacle detection demonstration utilizing a ToF sensor capable of detecting distances of up to approximately 2 meters. When a palm is shone on the chest of a robot equipped with a built-in ToF sensor, the robot recognizes the distance to the palm and stops walking or changes direction.

The second demo is a motion detection demonstration utilizing a ToF sensor. When you place your hand on the area where the ToF sensor is embedded and perform a specific action, the robot recognizes the movement and follows its pre-programmed instructions.
The third demo is a temperature sensing demo. The micro development board on the chest, which has a built-in temperature sensor, is named SensorTile and contains an MCU, a communication IC, and six types of sensors. Therefore, various systems can be developed using a single board. In the demo, the color of the LED on the forehead changed when the robot's ambient temperature was varied.

The fourth demo is a pressure change detection demonstration. A high-precision atmospheric pressure sensor is built into the robot's chest, allowing it to detect heights as low as a single step. In the demo, when the robot's height was changed, the color of the LED light located on the forehead also changed.

The fifth demo is a micro projector demo. The micro projector mounted on the robot's head was developed by MicroVision and utilizes ST's MEMS mirror technology. In the demo, the robot displayed an image of itself.

As such, ST's embedded system solutions are small in size, making them suitable for various increasingly miniaturized devices, and feature high precision and high performance, enabling the implementation of useful functions.
In addition, ST exhibited more solutions at its booth. These can be seen at KES 2018, which runs until the 27th.