🖥 MIT Researchers Pioneer 3D-Printed Semiconductor-Free Electronics

MIT researchers have developed semiconductor-free, 3D-printed logic gates, marking a significant step toward fully 3D-printed active electronics. Using a copper-doped polymer material, they created resettable fuses that mimic some functions of semiconductor-based transistors, such as switching. Although their performance doesn’t yet match silicon transistors, these devices could be used for simpler tasks, like controlling electric motors.

The biodegradable, energy-efficient fabrication method could democratize electronics production by enabling people to print functional electronics outside of specialized facilities, with potential applications in areas like spacecraft. Further research aims to enhance device complexity and performance.

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#news #electronics

🤖 Robot Races Champion: Swiss-Mile Takes Second Place

In a recent video, Swiss-Mile engineers put their high-tech delivery robot to the test by racing it against a champion runner and the members of the team. The robot reached nearly 14 mph, securing second place and demonstrating impressive agility for a machine built for urban delivery. Equipped to shift from four wheels to two legs, the robot is designed to handle complex tasks autonomously. The video highlights its potential for agile, efficient urban deliveries, almost keeping pace with a human champion.

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#news #robots

🤖 Chinese Company Unitree Robotics Pushes Boundaries in AI-Powered Motion Control

Unitree Robotics, a company based in 🇨🇳 Hangzhou, China, has made impressive strides in motion control technology using artificial intelligence. In a recent video, the company showcased its ability to teach robots human-like walking within just two days through reinforcement learning.

The video opens with 🤖 Unitree’s humanoid robot, the G1 (priced at over $16,000), walking fluidly across a room. In another segment, 🐕 Unitree’s robot dog Go2, demonstrates remarkable balance on two legs—even as it’s nudged and struck with a stick by a human.

This development highlights the potential of AI-powered robotics to adapt and acquire new skills quickly, a crucial capability as robots become more integral to our daily lives.

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#news #robotics #artificial_intelligence

📺 What's going on with Intel?

This week, Intel announced the retirement of its CEO, Pat Gelsinger. This event marks the culmination of the company's decline, leaving many people wondering how such a dominant force in the semiconductor market has reached this point. To better understand the situation surrounding Intel, it is highly recommended to watch this YouTube video.

⛓ https://youtu.be/OZrPOjnAyqs

#video #news #Intel

🇳🇱 Channel Rewind: Highlights from 2024

As 2024 comes to an end, it’s the perfect time to revisit the stories and ideas that captured the most interest. This channel is dedicated to aggregating the best of embedded systems, and this roundup highlights your favorite posts from the year.

The most popular open-source projects:
➡️ESP32-Based Smartwatch with LiDAR and Wi-Fi Scanning
➡️High-Resolution POV Display based on ESP32
➡️CatSniffer - Compact Hacker's Tool

The most popular embedded libraries:
➡️LVGL - GUI library for embedded systems
➡️pcb2blender - KiCad to Blender 3D model workflow
➡️BitNetMCU - Neural networks on the cheapest microchips!

The most popular programming articles:
➡️Qt vs. Flutter: What to choose?
➡️Mastering State Machines
➡️5 Techniques to Simulate Embedded Software

The most popular videos:
➡️Mastering Decision-Making in C: Switch vs. If Statements
➡️Gear Indicator for Manual Cars: Arduino Tutorial
➡️Raspberry Pi Pico RP2350 - Performance Boost Trick

Embedded systems have seen incredible growth and innovation throughout 2024, and it’s been amazing to share this journey with you. Let’s look forward to an even more groundbreaking 2025—see you next year!

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💻 The Rise of Chiplets: Opportunities and Challenges in Next-Gen Semiconductor Design

The shift from monolithic SoCs to chiplet-based architectures is making semiconductor design more complex but also more flexible. Chiplets allow companies to mix and match different components, optimizing performance and cost by using different process nodes for different functions.

This approach is crucial for AI and high-performance computing, where demands for bandwidth, power efficiency, and speed continue to rise. By 2025, an estimated 50% of high-performance computing systems and nearly all AI chips will be multi-die, signaling a major industry-wide transformation.

However, integrating third-party chiplets brings challenges like standardization, signal integrity, and power distribution. Engineers must address thermal issues and ensure interoperability through standards like UCIe. Different industries also have unique requirements, from durability in automotive applications to power efficiency in data centers.

Despite these obstacles, chiplets offer customization, cost savings, and faster development. Companies like 〽️ Intel and 🧿 AMD are embracing this shift, and future advancements in integration and interconnect technology will be key to unlocking their full potential.

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#news #electronics

🇨🇳 Undocumented Backdoor Found in Popular ESP32 Bluetooth Chip, Raising Security Concerns

Researchers have discovered an undocumented backdoor in the ESP32 chip, used in over a billion devices worldwide. This vulnerability could allow attackers to access data, spoof devices, and infiltrate networks.

Spanish security experts found 29 hidden commands in the chip’s Bluetooth firmware. These commands enable memory manipulation, MAC address spoofing, and advanced Bluetooth attacks. Hackers could potentially exploit these functions to take full control of affected devices and move laterally within networks.

If exploited, this backdoor could enable long-term persistence and spread to other devices. The lack of public documentation from Espressif raises concerns about security risks and potential misuse.

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#news #esp32 #security

🤖 Sub-$200 Lidar Could Reshuffle Auto Sensor Economics

MicroVision, a Redmond, Washington–based solid-state sensor company, has introduced a new automotive lidar it says can reach production pricing below $200 per unit, with a long-term goal of $100. The move aims to make lidar economically viable for mainstream advanced driver-assistance systems rather than limiting it to premium autonomous programs.

Key features and highlights:
➡️Movia S solid-state phased-array architecture
➡️180-degree horizontal field of view
➡️Detects objects up to 200 meters
➡️Designed for high-volume manufacturing
➡️Multi-sensor vehicle deployment required
➡️Competes with Hesai, Luminar

The technology is important because it moves lidar from an experimental or premium feature toward a scalable safety component for everyday vehicles. For automakers, suppliers, and investors, this development signals a transition from performance-driven innovation to economically sustainable deployment—one that could soon see adoption beyond the automotive sector.

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🖥 ASML unveils EUV light source advance that could yield 50% more chips by 2030

ASML has unveiled a breakthrough in its extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology, revealing a new light source capable of reaching 1,000 watts of power. The advance could allow chipmakers to produce up to 50% more chips by 2030, strengthening ASML’s lead as global rivals in the United States and China attempt to develop competing systems.

Key features and highlights:
➡️EUV power increased from 600W to 1,000W
➡️Up to 50% higher chip output
➡️Target of 330 wafers per hour
➡️New dual-laser plasma shaping method

In conclusion, this development is significant because EUV machines are essential for manufacturing the world’s most advanced semiconductors. By increasing output and lowering per-chip production costs, ASML reinforces its technological dominance at a time of geopolitical competition and export restrictions.

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🇨🇳 Espressif Unveils ESP32-S31: A Feature-Rich Next-Gen Wireless SoC

Espressif announces the ESP32-S31, a new high-performance System-on-Chip designed for advanced IoT devices. The chip combines modern connectivity, processing power, and multimedia support in a single solution.

Features of the chip:
➡️Dual-core RISC-V CPU running up to 320 MHz
➡️Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, Thread/Zigbee, and Ethernet connectivity
➡️Built-in support for displays, cameras, and touch input
➡️Hardware acceleration for graphics, audio, and AI workloads
➡️Strong built-in security with encryption and secure execution

Overall, the ESP32-S31 is likely the most powerful wireless SoC released by Espressif so far, offering a strong balance of performance, connectivity, and I/O capabilities such as a high GPIO count and Gigabit Ethernet. While its multimedia features are more limited compared to some higher-end variants, it remains a compelling choice for developers building advanced smart home, voice-enabled, and industrial IoT applications.

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#news #esp32

💻 The RAM shortage could last years

Demand for memory chips has surged in recent years, driven by rapid growth in AI technologies and data-intensive applications. This has put increasing pressure on global supply chains, especially for RAM, which is essential for both data centers and everyday devices.

A global RAM shortage is expected to continue for several years, with supply projected to meet only about 60% of demand by the end of 2027. Major manufacturers are working to expand production, but most new facilities won’t be ready until 2027 or later. While output needs to grow by roughly 12% annually to keep up, current plans fall short at around 7.5%.

Much of the new capacity will focus on high-bandwidth memory used in AI data centers, leaving less production for standard DRAM in consumer devices. This imbalance is already driving up prices for products like smartphones, laptops, and gaming devices, and relief may remain limited even as new factories come online.

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👩‍💻 Canonical releases Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Resolute Raccoon

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS “Resolute Raccoon” has officially launched as Canonical’s latest long-term support release, powered by GNOME 50 and the 👩‍💻 Linux 7.0 kernel. It will receive five years of support (until 2031), with extended security maintenance available up to 2036, making it a stable choice for long-term use.

Key changes and updates:
➡️GNOME 50 (Wayland-only, smoother visuals, better scaling)
➡️Linux 7.0 kernel (improved performance and hardware support)
➡️Built-in AI support (NVIDIA CUDA, AMD ROCm)
➡️Stronger security (TPM disk encryption, Rust-based tools)
➡️Updated system tools and bug fixes (new Resources app, better GPU support)

Overall, Ubuntu 26.04 LTS focuses on modern performance, security, and future-ready technologies like AI, making it an appealing upgrade for both developers and everyday users seeking a reliable, up-to-date Linux system.

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#news #linux #resoluteraccoon

💻️ Nvidia quietly increases Jetson prices by up to 101%

NVIDIA has raised prices across its Jetson modules and developer kits by up to 101%, following earlier product discontinuations linked to rising LPDDR4 memory costs.

The largest increases affect the Jetson Nano module (from $99 to $199) and the Jetson AGX Orin 32GB module (from $899 to $1,799). The popular Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit has also increased from $249 to $399. The new prices are reflected on NVIDIA's store and most retailers, though some backordered listings may still show the old pricing.

NVIDIA has not provided an official explanation for the increases, but industry observers believe they are driven by rising DRAM memory costs and ongoing supply constraints. The company updated the pricing on its official website without an announcement, leaving it unclear whether the higher prices are a temporary response to market conditions or a permanent change to the Jetson product lineup.

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📱📱 Samsung Raises Advanced Chip Prices as AI Demand Surges

Samsung has raised prices for new orders on its 4nm, 5nm and 8nm foundry processes, with increases of up to 15% for some customers in China and the U.S., according to Reuters. The biggest hikes are reportedly affecting Chinese chip designers, while Samsung’s 4nm facility in Pyeongtaek has been operating at full capacity since late last year as AI-related demand continues to grow.

The price increases could help Samsung’s loss-making foundry business move toward profitability as demand for advanced chips remains strong and competitors such as TSMC also raise prices. Samsung’s foundry business still trails TSMC significantly in market share, but growing orders from companies including Tesla, Apple, Broadcom and Nvidia are strengthening its position.

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#news #semiconductors

🐧 Linux Comes to ESP32-S31

The Chinese company 🇨🇳 Espressif Systems has released a developer preview of its Linux BSP for the 🇳🇱 ESP32-S31, bringing Linux support to the dual-core RISC-V microprocessor. The chip’s MMU and 16MB of PSRAM make running a minimal Linux system possible, while the official Board Support Package (BSP) uses Buildroot and a Linux 6.18-based kernel. Those are available on ☁️ this GitHub repository.

The BSP is currently intended for experimentation rather than production, with limited features, possible breaking changes, and irregular updates. Meanwhile, community developers are also working on Linux ports for the ESP32-S31, with projects exploring newer kernels and features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and dual-core support.

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#news #esp32 #linux

📱📱 Samsung Firmware Update Bricks Smart Refrigerators

Samsung’s Bespoke AI smart refrigerators experienced failures after the latest software update. Affected units, reportedly including many four-door models from 2024 or later, suddenly lost power or stopped functioning after the update. Some displays became stuck on an update-related message, while SmartThings showed the refrigerators as offline. Samsung said the incident was caused by an error during internal testing of a refrigerator software update and that it suspended the testing after receiving reports.

Samsung said the issue is limited to South Korea and has activated an emergency response through its service centers. Korean media reported hundreds of customer complaints, with some owners saying their refrigerators stopped cooling and food had to be discarded. Samsung has not disclosed how many units were affected or what measures will prevent a recurrence.

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