Category Archives: Product News

LyteShot wants to take mobile games out into the real world

Finally, a new mobile gaming system that requires more than just your thumb.

When it comes to gaming, Mark Ladd and Tom Ketola envisioned something entirely different than just sitting on a couch or inside a dorm room. The Maker duo, who together lead the team behind LyteShot, have developed a reality gaming alternative that converges modern-day technology with old-school outdoor fun.

The ATmega328P based platform is comprised of a wireless device and sensor that essentially acts in laser tag-like fashion. Both the Lyter and LytePuck, respectively, are equipped with IR transmitters/receivers, Bluetooth Low Energy, accelerometer, HUD navigation controls, along with vibration motors and LEDs to show in-game data. The handheld gadget is customizable with a series of peripherals that enable a player to transform it into a gun, wand, staff, sword, bow or just about anything else through 3D printing, making it ideal for a wide-range of role-playing and first-person shooter games, interactive capture the flag, scavenger hunts, and adventures with complex story-lines.

“Asking if LyteShot is different than laser tag is a lot like asking if Xbox is different than Halo. LyteShot is a platform, first and foremost, and one that supports a wide range of games. The LyteShot platform can not only support a game of laser tag (easy!) but also provide for the creation of an entire library of live-action games from thrilling spy games to tower-defense games, and from Alternate Reality Games (ARG) games to fantasy RPGs,” Ladd writes.

How it works is relatively simple. The Lyter and LytePuck sensor connect with your mobile device to transmit game data to other players via the cloud. Point the device at another player/object and click the trigger. For instance, if the person wearing one of the sensors is “hit,” the blow will be registered in the point system for whatever game is being played. Once the LytePuck receives a command, it reacts by lighting up or vibrating, alerting the player who is sporting the LytePuck to the in-game response. This command is then sent instantaneously through the cloud to all the participants’ mobile devices, alerting everyone with up-to-date, real-time information and messages.

“For gamers of all kinds, LyteShot provides cloud-based wireless technology that enables instant shared data. Players can use real-time tracking of game logistics, leaderboards, hit detection, geo-tracking, quest completion, in-game communication, and more to provide an immersive and socially driven experience. Gamers will no longer need a referee or gamemaster to play. LyteShot digitally tracks all game stats, enforces all boundaries, guides the storyline and more – instantaneously.”

LyteShot is in the process of making a number of games available on its open platform. Among them are Assassin (a live-action game where participants aim to eliminate each other), Besieged (a medieval fantasy digital territory capture game), and Invasion (a game played against the computer in which players “battle a swarm of viruses taking over the planet”).

Using its open-source SDK, Makers and developers alike have the unique ability to create the next generation of augmented reality gaming, including a heads-up display app. In fact, LyteShot is already working with Epson to integrate the system with its Moverio BT-200 smart glasses. Through LyteShot’s Arduino (ATmega328P) powered hardware platform, there are endless possibilities of what can be created, ranging from virtual grenades to claymores to the use of drones. In the near future, the team even plans to launch a marketplace where users can share their gadgets and code.

Are you ready to put those thumbs to rest and take mobile gaming outside? If so, hurry on over to the team’s Kickstarter page, where they are currently seeking $168,534.

Chip Design talks smart Bluetooth, sensors and more

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CES 2015 saw countless Internet of Things (IoT) devices, ranging from Bluetooth gateways and smart sensors to intensive cloud-based data processors and hackathons – all powered by Atmel | SMART ARM-based microcontrollers.

Writing for Chip Design Magazine, Editorial Director John Blyler recounted the world’s largest electronics show by elaborating upon the underlying the show, which was indeed, connectivity.

“The only difference each year is the way in which the connectivity is express in products. For example, this year’s event showcased an increase in gateway networking devices that permitted Bluetooth Low Energy-equipped gadgets to connect to a Wi-Fi router or other interfaces with the outside world,” Blyler shares.

According to a new IHS report, the global market for low-power, Bluetooth Smart integrated circuits (IC) will see shipments rise nearly tenfold over the next five years. Not only will the worldwide Bluetooth Smart and Smart Ready market be valued at $3.9 billion by 2020, Bluetooth-enabled device shipments will approach the four billion unit mark by next year as well.

This is good news for very low power wireless semiconductor intellectual property (IP) and device manufacturers in the wearable and connected markets, Blyler adds. “One example out of many is Atmel’s BTLC1000 chip, which the company claims will help improve battery life by over 30% of current devices. The chip architecture is based on a ARM Cortex-M0 processor.”

Expanding upon the Atmel SmartConnect wireless portfolio, the BTLC1000 is a Bluetooth Smart link controller integrated circuit that connects as a companion to any Atmel AVR or Atmel | SMART MCU through a UART or SPI API requiring minimal resource on the host side. The ultra-low power solution is capable of achieving sub-1µA in standby mode, while delivering the industry’s best dynamic power consumption and increasing battery life by as much as one year for certain applications.

Giving its unprecedented 2.1mm X 2.1mm Wafer Level Chipscale Package (WLCSP), the Bluetooth Smart controller is ideal for the rapidly growing wearables and IoT realms, not limited to portable medical, activity trackers, human Interface devices, gaming controllers, and beacons and much more.

For those unfamiliar with the technology, Bluetooth Smart is the intelligent, low-power version of traditional Bluetooth wireless technology that works with existing smartphone and tablet applications, and brings connectivity to everyday devices ranging from toothbrushes to heartrate monitors.

“Bluetooth Smart and tiny ultra-low power devices are vital for the wearables market and Atmel have a triple play with their BTLC1000 chip… which has a Cortex-M0 processor on-board and battery life improved 30% over current devices. So here is a perfect example of my point, this device is smaller, uses less power and combines more functionality so after it samples in March it will make its way into new products that simply couldn’t exist before. What kind of predictions can we make from this you may ask? Things like smart bandages that take your temperature and remind you to take your antibiotics or food packaging that warns of spoilage, the possibilities expand every year. Expect to see more Bluetooth connected ‘things’ at CES 2016. This is an important step in the Internet of Things becoming a reality and that could be an inflection point,” David Blaza recently shared in the ARM Connected Community.

Blyler goes on to note that in order for the IoT to be useful, sensor data at the edge of the connectivity node must be communicated to the cloud for high-performance processing of all the data.

“Next to connectivity, sensors are the defining component of any IoT technology. Maybe that is why sensor companies have been a growing presence on the CES show floor. This year, sensor-related vendors accounted for over 10% of total exhibitors. Many new IoT sensor technology is implemented using tiny MEMS physical structures.”

Want to read more? You can find the entire write-up here. To explore Atmel’s latest Bluetooth ultra-low power solution for the IoT, you can also do so here.

gTar uses an iPhone and LEDs to teach you to play the guitar

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This isn’t your traditional axe, but an electric guitar-digital device hybrid that makes sound via MIDI processed through an iPhone.

Have you always wanted to be a rockstar but lacked the necessary musical talent? After all, learning to play the guitar can be a daunting (and expensive) task. But thanks to our friends at Incident Technologies, there is now an easy-to-use, cost-effective solution: the gTar.

Previously seen on Kickstarter and more recently, inside Eureka Park at CES 2015, gTar is a fully digital guitar that enables anybody of any experience level to play music quickly and easily with the help of LEDs and a docked iPhone. Users simply affix their smartphone to the guitar body, load its accompanying mobile app, and follow an array of interactive LEDs along the multi-touch fretboard — which can play various sounds and triggers via its MIDI compatibility. Not only does the gTar show you what to play, but tracks whether you’re doing it correctly. According to its creators, the learning system will have you rocking out in under 15 minutes.

“We think that everybody should be able to have fun playing music, regardless of how long they’ve been playing or how much time they have to practice. That’s why we built an intuitive feature called SmartPlay, which mutes out incorrect notes as you play and nudges you along as you play through difficult songs,” a company rep explains.

Don’t be mistaken, the device possesses the same aesthetically appealing design of an everyday electric guitar. In fact, gTar is constructed from basswood and maple, giving it the look, feel and durability of a time-tested axe while packed with some additional components like an ATtiny48. It should also be noted that the hardware is open-source, enabling endless possibilities for Makers.

On the software side, the app features three modes: SmartPlay, Free Play and Create. It comes bundled with a library of over 150 preprogrammed songs from third-party sites that allow users to begin shredding right away. SmartPlay mode teaches users specific songs and scales, which are ranked by color in terms of their difficulty level: green for easy, yellow for moderate and red for hard. During the easiest stages, gTar will automatically “fret” for beginners and mute out incorrect notes. Using its ATtiny48 powered LEDs, you can learn some of the biggest hit songs, ranging from The Beatles to David Bowie.

As you make your way through the ranks to FreePlay, users are given free reign over the multi-touch fretboard, where musicians can then choose from a variety of 15+ sound kits, including guitar models, keyboards, synths, and even drums. This mode also provides an expression pad for tweaking four built-in sound effects, like echo or distortion, and a panel that offers full control of the LEDs. Feeling confident? Once ready, through the company’s new Sequence app, you can create beats, melodies, and rhythms without any previous musical skills. Sequence can be used either standalone, or with the gTar fretboard acting as an interactive controller.

If AVR Man can do it, anyone truly can! Interested in learning more? Head on over to gTar’s official page here.

Fujitsu’s smart ring will let you write in midair

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Fujitsu Laboratories has developed a lightweight, compact wearable device that makes it easy to draw letterforms in the air.

Though it seems wrist-adorned and head-mounted displays (HMDs) are all the buzz as of late, Fujitsu is hoping to change that with their newly-revealed smart ring that not only allows for motion control, but in-air handwriting as well. Sure, HMDs are already helping to provide a hands-free workplace for operators, however they don’t make it particularly easy to select displayed information, input figures, jot down memos on workplace conditions, or perform other necessary tasks.

Fujitsu’s latest innovation lets wearers trace letters using their fingertip, while a built-in motion sensor translates those movements into usable characters. By “writing” in the air, users can then select menu options or make notes on photos that they take in the field — something which could certainly also come in handy during a tradeshow or while on-the-go.

“By applying proprietary technology that corrects the letterform tracings, Fujitsu has been able to improve character recognition accuracy, enabling recognition of everything from numbers to Chinese characters.”

Aside from its motion sensor — which features an accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer — a BLE module, a status display LED, an operation button, a sensor-processing MCU, and a battery (capable of lasting roughly eight hours) are all packed into the tiny device. In addition, there’s an NFC tag reader embedded inside that will enable a user to receive instructions with a simple tap. The company believes that as data from the object to be worked on can be easily selected in a hands-free manner, the performance of maintenance and other tasks is expected to be more efficient.

While still merely a prototype, Fujitsu is currently testing the real-world usability of the device with aspirations of practical implementation by early next year. Explore the ring in more detail here.

Verizon launches connected car product for older vehicles

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While a number of today’s cars are becoming increasingly Internet-enabled, what about older vehicles? Shouldn’t they become smarter, too?

During the 2015 North American International Auto Show, Verizon unveiled a new connected car service that enables drivers of older cars to receive roadside assistance as well as learn more about maintenance that may be required. At the moment, over 200 million vehicles currently lacking wireless capabilities in the U.S. alone could benefit from the new solution.

“As one of the largest communications companies in the world, we are dedicated to providing consumers with innovative technology solutions that connect people, solve challenges and inspire change. Verizon Vehicle is a unique and truly holistic aftermarket solution available to over 200 million vehicles on the road today. It affords millions of drivers the power of knowing when things aren’t working well, potentially before a breakdown occurs — fostering a safer, smarter and more economical way to drive and maintain a vehicle,” said Erik Goldman, Verizon Telematics President.

The subscription-based service will work on models dating back to 1996, and operates through an OBD reader that can easily be self-installed in the under-dash diagnostic port, a Bluetooth-enabled speaker attached to the visor and a complementary smartphone app. Users can opt to receive alerts via text, call, smartphone notifications or email in the event an issue is detected with their vehicle. Other features will enable drivers to diagnose mechanical problems, talk to car mechanics in real-time and call for help in an emergency. If drivers need assistance, the system’s built-in GPS can identify their exact location and relay this data a tow truck dispatch with precision.

Looking to connect your car? Explore the new solution in more detail here. Meanwhile, don’t forget to read up on miaLinkup, a multi-functional wireless device that is looking to drive your 20-year-old vehicle into the IoT era.

Symmetric or asymmetric encryption, that is the question!

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With the emergence of breaches and vulnerabilities, the need for hardware security has never been so paramount.

Confidentiality — one of the three foundational pillars of security, along with data integrity and authenticity — is created in a digital system via encryption and decryption. Encryption, of course, is scrambling a message in a certain way that only the intended party can descramble (i.e. decrypt) it and read it.

Throughout time, there have been a number of ways to encrypt and decrypt messages. Encryption was, in fact, used extensively by Julius Caesar, which led to the classic type of encryption aptly named, Caesar Cipher. The ancient Greeks beat Caesar to the punch, however. They used a device called a “Scytale,” which was a ribbon of leather or parchment that was wrapped around a rod of a diameter, of which only the sender and receiver were aware. The message was written on the wrapping and unfurled, then sent to the receiver who wrapped on on the rod of the same diameter in order to read it.

Modern Encryption

Modern encryption is based on published and vetted digital algorithms, such as Advanced Encryption System (AES), Secure Hashing Algorithms (SHA) and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), among many others. Given that these algorithms are public and known to everyone, the security must come from something else — that thing is a secret cryptographic “key.” This fundamental principal was articulated in the 19th century by Auguste Kerckhoffs, a Dutch linguist, cryptographer and professor.

Kerckhoffs’ principle states that a cryptosystem should be secure even if everything about the system, except the key, is public knowledge. In other words: “The key to encryption is the key.” Note that Kirchoffs advocated what is now commonly referred to as “open-source” for the algorithm. Point being, this open-source method is more secure than trying to keep an algorithm itself obscured (sometimes called security by obscurity). Because the algorithms are known, managing the secret keys becomes the most important task of a cryptographer. Now, let’s look at that.

Symmetric and Asymmetric

Managing the key during the encryption-decryption process can be done in two basic ways: symm etric and asymmetric. Symmetric encryption uses the identical key to both encrypt and decrypt the data. Symmetric key algorithms are much faster computationally than asymmetric algorithms because the encryption process is less complicated. That’s because there is less processing involved.

The length of the key size directly determines the strength of the security. The longer the key, the more computation it will take to crack the code given a particular algorithm. The table below highlights the NIST guidelines for key length for different algorithms with equivalent security levels. You can see that Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) is a very compact algorithm. It has a small software footprint, low hardware implementation costs, low bandwidth requirements, and high device performance. That is one of the main reasons that ECC-based asymmetric cryptographic processes, such as ECDSA and ECDH, are now being widely adopted. The strength of the sophisticated mathematics of ECC are a great ally of all three pillars of security, especially encryption.

Not only is symmetric faster and simpler; furthermore, a shorter key length can be used since the keys are never made public as is the case with asymmetric (i.e. Public Key Infrastructure) encryption. The challenge, of course, with symmetric is that the keys must be kept secret on both the sender and receiver sides. So, distributing a shared key to both sides is a major security risk. Mechanisms that maintain the secrecy of the shared key are paramount. One method for doing this is called Symmetric Session Key Exchange.

Asymmetric encryption is different in that it uses two mathematically related keys (a public and private key pair) for data encryption and decryption. That takes away the security risk of key sharing. However, asymmetric requires much more processing power. Unlike the public key, the private key is never exposed. A message that is encrypted by using a public key can only be decrypted by applying the same algorithm and using the matching private key.

A message that is encrypted by using the private key can only be decrypted by using the matching public key. This is sort of like mathematical magic. Some of the trade offs of symmetric and asymmetric are summarized below.

Symmetric

Keys must be distributed in secret
If a key is compromised the attacker can decrypt any message and/or impersonate one of the parties
A network requires a large number of keys

Asymmetric

Around 1000 times slower than symmetric
Vulnerability to a “man-in-the-middle” attack, where the public key is intercepted and altered

Due to the time length associated with asymmetric, many real-world systems utilize combination of the two, where the secret key used in the symmetric encryption is itself encrypted with asymmetric encryption, and sent over an insecure channel.Then, the rest of the data is encrypted using symmetric encryption and sent over the insecure channel in the encrypted format. The receiver gets the asymmetrically encrypted key and decrypts it with his private key. Once the receiver has the symmetric key, it can be used to decrypt the symmetrically encrypted message. This is a type of key exchange.

Note that the man in the middle vulnerability can be easily addressed by employing the other pillar of security; namely authentication. Crypto engine devices with hardware key storage, most notably Atmel’s CrypotoAuthentication, have been designed specifically to address all three pillars of security in an easy to design and cost-effective manner. Ready to secure your next design? Get started here.

BeoSound Moment plays tunes that suit your mood

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The latest innovation from Bang & Olufsen is an intelligent and sociable music system that integrates your music collection and streaming services into one.

Back at CES 2015, Copenhagen-based Bang & Olufsen debuted their incredibly innovative BeoSound Moment, which integrates sound collections and services into a playful music system boasting what is surely the world’s very first touch-sensitive wood interface. As advocates of both capacitive touch and Internet-enabled gadgets, we couldn’t help but to fall in love with this musical masterpiece. This smart device is packed with a number of features, including the company’s PatternPlay feature, which enables the system to learn the listening patterns of its users, suggest music or programs that fit a specific time, memorize preferences, and make listening both familiar and explorative with access to more than 35 million songs from streaming service Deezer.

“Over time, BeoSound Moment will gradually start to know your taste in music, and be able to play what you most likely want to hear, without you even having to ask. Just like friendship, it only gets better with time.”

With just one touch of the elegant oak panel, music begins to play based on a user’s personal preferences. Indeed, the BeoSound Moment comes in two parts: a dock/base station and a wooden-interfaced wireless control. The detachable, double-sided UI enables two different listening experiences. Those seeking a somewhat more traditional, controllable style should adhere to its aluminum panel, which is equipped with a touchscreen for engaging interaction. In essence, it’s a tablet.

However, flip it over and users will find an entirely look — an oak side donning wheel control designed for one-touch access to exactly the sound experience that fits the listener’s daily rhythm. The beautiful panel of touch-sensitive wood (embedded with capacitive sensors just under a thin layer of veneer) allows user to have their favorite music flowing from the speakers with just one touch on the wheel.

Since the dual-part BeoSound Moment system is compatible with B&O’s entire range of wired and wireless speakers, the device is capable of integrating digital tunes that best suit a listener’s mood. This works depending on how close their finger is to its center, as the very middle selects from a list of only favorites while the outer parameters tempts listeners to check out more adventurous songs. The MoodWheel is divided into a color gamut that ranges from melancholic blue over a passionate red zone to an energetic yellow area. Combined, these two dimensions on the intuitive MoodWheel offer limitless possibilities for defining your selection of music.

Intrigued? We sure were! You can learn more about the system by visiting its official page here.

Tektyte launches real-time circuit testers for USB and PoE-powered devices

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Have you always wanted to diagnose your device while it was connected to a PC and transferring data?

Thanks to the Melbourne-based team of Tektyte, you can. Their LogIT specialized circuit testers — which recently made their Kickstarter debut — provide a simple connection to the device being tested, while enabling data to pass through without interruption.

The idea for the LogIT came about after observing that in many cases a modern MCU-based system, like a phone or an Arduino, are powered by USB while connected to a PC that is also relaying information. To rectify that issue, the LogIT devices are specifically designed to measure the low positive voltages of USB and Power over Ethernet (PoE) connected equipment with high accuracy. The time between individual measurement data samples, obtained inside the LogIT, can be measured at either standard or custom intervals ranging from a millisecond to hours.

The series of devices is comprised of two unique circuit measurement tools, both displaying accurate readings of voltage, current, and power while also simultaneously logging all measurement data to a MicroSD card and/or PC. At the heart of the LogIT is a 32-bit Atmel | SMART ARM Cortex M0+ microcontroller, which consumes tiny amounts of power while still managing to synchronize numerous simultaneous interactions between peripherals such as the SD card, display, serial data port, and sensing system. At the moment, the team has embedded a SAM D20 in the USB version, with plans of implementing the SAM D21 for DMA firmware features.

“Using a gutsy little processor has enabled the LogIT to support the writing of standard CSV formatted data to SD card with files sizes only limited by the SD card capacity. If you wish to log over 2GB of power, voltage, and current data in a single recording, potentially stretching for weeks, then a LogIT will help you achieve this.”

“We have worked diligently to create a device which not only connects to a PC, but can also be operated as a standalone logger with a battery life of up to a week for fast recording rates and continuous measurement display. This is achieved by incorporating a large lithium polymer battery and one of the latest high speed/low power display technologies called Memory LCD,” a company rep explains.

Equipped with a 96 x 96 pixel dot-matrix display, the LogIT allows for the measurements to be represented in both numerical and graphical format simultaneously. Meanwhile, each device is packed with a real-time clock, ensuring that all the collected data is accurately time stamped. The time can be synchronized to the connected PC, or manually set. According to the team, both devices sport a number of additional features including:

Full isolation between the measurement ports and the test data USB/Serial ports
An open protocol for serial data streaming in both event and continuous modes
Screw terminals so that you can wire the LogIT directly into a circuit and test a wider range of voltages
Visual and audible buzzer alarm capabilities for indication of events set as thresholds by the user for current, voltage, or power
A low voltage serial port connector for direct connection to a DIY embedded devices such as an Arduino or Raspberry Pi

Additionally, users can download its free desktop application, which is coded in Java so that both Mac and PC users can connect, graph, and download data from the LogIT devices. Interested in learning more? Head on over to the project’s official Kickstarter page here, where the team has already exceeded its initial $7,500 pledge goal.

Brew your own craft beer with the touch of a button

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It’s official: The Internet of Beer has arrived.

As the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to infiltrate our homes, we’re finding a number of new and unusual connected gadgets suited for both the kitchen and man cave, of course. At this year’s CES, we came across countless smart machines including the world’s first fully automatic, all-grain beer brewing appliance, which aspires to do the same for ale as the Keurig had done for coffee.

Imagine that, a product that can easily craft fresh beer right from the comfort of your home, as well as tap online resources and services with just a press of a smartphone button. The PicoBrew Zymatic is shaped like a metal oven — which measures 20.5” x 14.5” x 17” in size and weighs 50 pounds — and is driven by an ATmega1284P MCU running on Arduino-based firmware.

To make beer, a user simply pours their desired amount of malted barley, hops and water, then pushes a couple buttons to set a recipe. In just about hours, that water turns into beer. Fast forward a week of fermentation, and the countertop device produces nearly three gallons of some good ol’ ale.

Developed by Seattle-based veterans of Microsoft and the F&B industry, the team’s goal was to use IoT technology to simplify the brewing process, remove its associated menial tasks, and allow advanced beer making to be more accessible to the masses. Users simply place their beer ingredients (e.g. grains and hops) in a cartridge tray that goes inside the appliance. Once done, the beer can be poured and stored for days, or even a few weeks, while the machine itself cleans itself. Meaning, you can kick back with a brewski without having to worry about cleaning up. While the brewing is automated, the Zymatic also comes equipped with Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, enabling users to control it from a mobile device.

For those with a diverse taste, the machine boasts over 100 recipes in its built-in library with the option for users to add their own customized recipes. So whether you’re a fan of lagers, stouts or ales, PicoBrew has you covered. While one may think this is a relatively niche market, home-brewing is a decently-sized hobby with more than 1 million Americans already crafting their beverages under their own roof, according to the Brewers Association.

What began as a succsesfully-funded Kickstarter project, the automated appliance is now being shipped to its initial backers. Meanwhile, the ATmega1284P powered Zymatic is currently accepting pre-orders for $1,699, with delivery expected in March 2015 — and can be found on its official website here.

Stay thirsty, our friends.

The 30 “smartest” things we saw at CES 2015

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Thousands of jam-packed booths, several tech-filled halls, five days, one incredible event. Over the years, CES has become a breeding ground for the wackiest, the wildest and most importantly, the smartest electronic devices to hit the market. And, with the emergence of the Internet of Things, 2015 proved to be no different with the debut of countless new connected products.

While we recently highlighted a few pre-show gizmos, here are some other exciting and eye-catching gadgets we came across over the last week in Vegas.