Atmel and ARM Mali team up to power next-gen devices

ARM announced today that it has licensed processor and security IP to Atmel for use in devices requiring image, video and display capabilities. The license includes the ARM Cortex®-A7 processor, ARM Mali™-V500 video accelerator, Mali-DP500 display processor and ARM TrustZone® technology, which can now be integrated into a variety of wearable devices, toys and even automated factory tasks reliant on image processing.

Each ARM Mali GPU, video and display processor delivers high-performance in the smallest area. This will enable any screen-based device to offer a similar multimedia experience to the latest tablet or smartphone with a smooth 3D user interface, video capture and playback functionality, all at HD resolution while incorporating secure features for protection of data and content. The best part? It’s all in a low power budget.

“Atmel and ARM have a successful history of collaboration,” explained Pete Hutton, ARM Executive Vice President and President of Product Groups. “That partnership continues to build with Atmel now expanding its ARM IP portfolio to include even stronger security and richer media processing technology that prepares the way for new and exciting products in emerging markets such as IoT, wearables and factory automation.”

The incredibly popular ARM Mali™ Multimedia IP has been successful throughout the mobile space, currently ranked atop the list for shipping GPU for Android devices. “The interesting thing for me about the Atmel license announced today is not just that they now have access to ARM Cortex®-A7, ARM’s most energy efficient processor ever, and ARM’s video and display processors – it is the new and different types of markets Atmel will go on and address with the same ARM Mali IP which has done so well in the mobile market,” ARM’s Chris Porthouse noted in the company’s blog.

The energy efficiency and small die area advantages of ARM Mali-V500 and Mali-DP500 enables full HD 1080p60 resolution capabilities on a single core, which is ideally suited for cost-conscious applications. Additionally, both the ARM Mali-V500 and Mali-DP500 incorporate support for ARM TrustZone technology for hardware-backed content security from download to display.

“As IoT and wearable devices become smaller, more sophisticated and integrated, the SoCs used in the devices will need to offer more features and functionality in smaller packages,” said Reza Kazerounian, Senior VP and GM of the Microcontroller Business Unit at Atmel. “The small area footprint of the ARM Cortex and Mali multimedia solutions will allow us to offer HD video and display processing in unprecedented sizes.”

With Mali-DP500, Atmel SoCs will now have the capability to deliver UI functionality such as multi-layer composition, scaling and post-processing with support from ARM’s Frame Buffer Compression (AFBC) protocol. This technology is unique to ARM and is capable of delivering a 60% reduction in system bandwidth for video playback.

 

 

Meet Jibo, the world’s first family bot

Turns out, your next family member may neither be flesh nor blood; it may consist of aluminum, plastic and microcontrollers instead. Created by Dr. Cynthia Breazeal, Director of the Personal Robots Group at MIT Media Lab, the world will soon have its first family robot. Standing at only 11 inches tall and weighing just six pounds, Jibo makes quite a big impression.

Stemming from her fascination with “Star Wars” and observations of NASA robots on Mars, Dr. Breazeal sought out to develop a ‘bot that could engage in human interaction.

Out of the box, Jibo has the ability to learn about those around it, recognize various voices and distinguish different faces. Designed to engage with people, Jibo takes on various roles around the house including mail deliverer, environment controller, storyteller, telepresence device, event reminder, and cameraman. Not only can it sing and dance, engage in casual conversation and complete daily tasks, its creator hopes Jibo can play an integral role in educating children, healthcare management and aiding the elderly.

“Jibo is this helpful presence that helps support your family, your human network, to be more efficient and feel more connected,” says Dr. Breazeal.

Jibo began its crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo this past Wednesday, in hopes of reaching a $100,000. According to Dr. Breazeal, the crowdfunding approach is their way of getting feedback on the prototype from the most interested community of bot-enthusiasts out there. Well, it appears there are several as the project as already raised over $635,000 in a matter of days. The bot is currently selling for $499 to consumers and $599 to developers.

“Because JIBO is an open platform, his skills and applications will grow, helping and delighting in ways even we haven’t even imagined,” a rep shared on its official Indiegogo page.

As GigaOM notes, ”the startup would like to see developers pair Jibo with connected devices. A Nest thermostat would still do its job of tracking your patterns and adjusting your home’s heating and cooling, but Jibo would act as its face. Instead of programming the thermostat through your phone, you would just ask Jibo to take care of it.”

For those interested, key technical specs include:

• 

Processor: High-end ARM-based mobile
• Sensors: 2 color stereo cameras; 360° sound localization; full-body touch sensors
• Movement: 3 full-revolute axes; high-res encoder; feedback control
• Display: HD LCD touchscreen
• Lighting: Full-spectrum ambient LED
• Power: AC adaptor, battery-ready
• Platform: Embedded Linux-based

If you’re looking for the newest (robotic) addition to your household, it looks like you may have to wait just a bit. Jibo’s slated arrival isn’t until the fall of 2015, more than a year away.

UPDATE: The Indiegogo campaign has now raised $1,194,282 in pledges.

Salesforce launches dev kit for wearables

Salesforce has rolled out a software development pack for wearable devices. Backed by a number of industry heavyweights such as ARM, the dev kit is expected to accelerate adoption of wearables in the enterprise.

“Wearables are the next phase of the mobile revolution,” said Salesforce exec Daniel Debow.

“With Salesforce Wear, companies can now capture the massive opportunity these devices offer to connect with customers in new ways.”

According to a recent IHS white paper titled “Wearable Technology – Market Assessment,” roughly 50 million wearable units will be sold in 2014, while more than 180 million are predicted to sell in 2018.

“With the massive number of devices coming into market, it is imperative that companies understand how consumers will operate in a hands-free world. Wearables are the future of mobile, and companies can now discover new ways to market, sell, service and more,” added Debow.

As we’ve previously discussed on Bits & Pieces, wearable device technologies will become an integral part of enterprise mobile enablement strategies – increasing at an impressive CAGR value of 56.1% over the next five years.

As senior ABI Research enterprise analyst Jason McNicol notes, the North American region is expected to be the largest, growing at a CAGR value of 39% over the next five years. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is slated to become the second largest market, outpacing Europe by 2019 with a CAGR of 90%.

“There are cases being made for wearables in the enterprise despite the relative newness of the technology. However, which wearables are primed for enterprise usage and adoption is a more important question,” McNicol explained.

Atmel-powered Agent Smartwatch

“Wearable technology such as smart glasses and those used for healthcare are better suited for the enterprise as corporate-liable devices. Smartwatches, on the other hand, will most likely follow the trend of BYOD into the enterprise.”

More specifically, ABI Research recently identified six types of wearable devices: smart glasses, cameras, smart watches, healthcare, sports/activity trackers and 3D motion trackers. Healthcare wearables, smart glasses and smart watches will be the dominant form-factors purchased by the enterprise and used by employees.

All told, the research firm expects a total of 90 million wearable devices to ship in 2014 across multiple markets. As senior analyst Joshua Flood points out, wearable tech will be characterized by a diversity of products, although only those with clear use-cases and target audiences are likely to succeed.

“[2014] will be a critical period for the acceptance and adoption of wearable devices. Healthcare and sports and activity trackers are rapidly becoming mass-market products,” the analyst confirmed.

“On the flipside, wearable devices like smart watches need to overcome some critical obstacles. Aesthetic design, more compelling use cases, battery life and lower price points are the main inhibitors. How vendors approach these challenges and their respective solutions will affect the wearable market far in the future.”

According to Flood, chipset vendors are beginning to pave the way with interesting wearable reference designs that will allow non-technology OEMs and brands to quickly jump upon the wearable device bandwagon and offer diverse, innovative, unique and stylish solutions.

“While smart glasses could be the starting point moving away from today’s touchscreen smartphones to eyewear devices using a voice interface, pricing, battery life and style will all play crucial roles for market traction,” he continued.

“Due to these limitations, the enterprise sector will be the early target for smart glasses before they are ready for mass-market adoption. [We] expect more than two million smart glasses [to] ship in 2014, [with] the category forecast to grow rapidly from 2015 onwards. Mobile enabling technologies like augmented reality will play a vital part in enhancing smart glass capabilities.”

Indeed, smart glasses and smartwatches will account for a relatively small segment of the wearable device market in 2014, with medical, wellness and sports and activity wearable devices expected to provide the bulk of wearable device shipments this year.

“Activity trackers will continue to be the most popular wearable device as people carefully monitor their activity levels and energy output. Concerns around weight management and even obesity are the prime drivers behind this wearable device type,” Flood concluded.

“The collection and analysis of the captured personal performance data through associated websites and their communities is also a crucial element in building out the use-case.”

Video: Atmel demos QTouch tech at Computex

Atmel’s comprehensive QTouch Library makes it simple for developers to embed capacitive-touch button, slider, and wheel functionality into a wide range of microcontroller applications.

The royalty-free QTouch Library provides several library files for each device, supporting various numbers of touch channels – enabling both flexibility and efficiency in touch applications.

Simply put, by selecting the library file supporting the exact number of channels needed, developers can achieve a more compact and efficient code using less RAM.

Earlier this week at Computex 2014, Atmel staff engineer Paul Kastnes demonstrated the integration of QTouch solutions with low-power consumption, using ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontrollers and sensor engines.

In addition, Atmel senior manager Dr. John Logan showcased how mobile applications can be customized using customized sensors, exhibited by a modified SAM D20 ARM Cortex-M0 microcontroller and an accelerometer gyroscope.

Interested in learning more? You can check out Atmel’s official QTouch page here and Atmel’s SAM D lineup here.

Cosino prototyping platform has Atmel’s SAM9 under the hood

Powered by Atmel’s ARM-based AT91SAM9G35, the Cosino Project is an embedded prototyping system that combines the functionality of a mini-computer with those of a professional automation system.

According to company rep Rodolfo Giometti, Cosino includes a comprehensive lineup of CPU boards, carrier boards and multiple peripherals that support industrial applications, as well as DIY projects by Makers.

Aside from Atmel’s AT91SAM9G35, key platform specs include 128MB RAM and 256MB NAND.

In terms of extension boards, Cosino has developed the Mega 2560, which Giometti describes as a fully Arduino Mega 2560 compatible board (based on Atmel’s ATmega2560 MCU) connected to a GNU/Linux system running Debian/ARM Wheezy.

“The Cosino CPU module – inserted into a Mega 2560 extension – [becomes the] Cosino Mega 2560 KIT [which] can be used to extend Arduino Mega 2560 based projects – without modifying the code and by using all Arduino’s shields as is,” Giometti explained.

More specifically, the Cosino Mega 2560 offers devs and Makers:

• 1x Ethernet 10/100
• 1x USB Host 2.0
• 1x USB Host 1.1
• 1x USB Host/Device 2.0
• 1x microSD
• 1x RS232
• 1x RS485
• 1x realtime clock
• 1x I2C
• 2x SPI
• 1x Wifi (optional)
1x LCD (optional)

Giometti also noted that a number of additional extension boards and peripherals are either currently available or will be in the near future, including an RFID reader, smartcard reader and several MODBUS clients.

Interested in learning more? You can check out Cosino’s official page here.

Adafruit Narrative teardown reveals AT91SAM9G25

The Narrative Clip is a tiny, automatic 5 megapixel camera paired with an app that offers users access to a “photographic memory” which is both searchable and shareable.

Weighing in at 20 grams (0.7 oz) and measuring 36x36x9 mm (1.42×1.42×0.35 inches), Narrative boasts a storage capacity of 4,000 pictures and a two-day battery life. The device also features a double-tap function to more easily capture images, automatic sleep upon being placed face down, a specially coded companion smartphone app (iOS/Android) and cloud storage options.

Recently, the Adafruit crew conducted a detailed teardown of the device — confirming it is indeed powered by Atmel’s AT91SAM9G25 ARM-based microprocessor (MPU).

Additional confirmed specs include:

• SanDisk SDIN7DU2-8G Flash card
• Linear LTC3557 USB power manager with Li-Ion charger and three step-down regulators
• ST LIS3DH 3-axis accelerometer
• CellGuide ACLYS GPS module
• TI LC07A hex level shifter
• 125mAh lipoly battery

Interested in learning more about the $279 Narrative? You can check out the product’s official page here.

HackADay talks Arduino Zero with Atmel’s Bob Martin

On May 15, Arduino and Atmel debuted the long-awaited Zero. The 32-bit development board packs Atmel’s versatile SAMD21 microcontroller (MCU), which is built around ARM’s Cortex M0+ core.

Key hardware specs include 256kb of flash, 32kb SRAM in a TQFP package and compatibility with 3.3V shields that conform to the Arduino R3 layout.

 The Arduino Zero board also boasts flexible peripherals along with Atmel’s Embedded Debugger (EDBG) – facilitating a full debug interface on the SAMD21 without the need for supplemental hardware.

In addition, EDBG supports a virtual COM port that can be used for device programming and traditional Arduino bootloader functionality.

During Maker Faire Bay Area 2014, the HackADay crew had the opportunity to go hands on with the new board, discussing the Zero with Atmel’s very own Bob Martin.

“There are two USB connectors; one let you access the board as a device or a host while the other connects the debugging hardware. If you’ve never used an On Chip Debugger before it’ll change your life so do give it a try,” writes HackADay’s Mike Szczys.

“When you do move past the initial prototyping phase of your project you can still use the Zero as a debugging tool. There’s an unpopulated 10-pin header (not sure if the small pitch header comes with it or not) which can be used to interface with a target board. Bob also spent some time talking about the configurable 6-pin header which allows you to choose from a range of hardware protocols (SPI, TWI, etc.)”

Interested in learning more about the Atmel-powered Arduino Zero? You can check out the development board’s official page here.

Video: Mel Li talks robotic exoskeletons

Cyberpunk films and novels are often set in post-industrial dystopias characterized by extraordinary cultural ferment and the use of technology in ways never anticipated by its original creators.

As William Gibson noted in Burning Chrome, “the street finds its own uses for things.” Although Gibson wrote those words way back in 1981, they more than aptly describe the cyberpunk build designed by Maker Mel Li, Ph.D that was showcased at Atmel’s 2014 Bay Area Maker Faire booth.

According to Mel, the Costume is an original design inspired by the cyberpunk/fantasy genre work of artists including Masumune Shirow, Eric Canete, Joe Benitez and various modern gaming concept art.

More specifically, the assembly is made from over 60 parts designed in Solidworks and sewn/cut/glued/laser-cut/heat-formed using various techniques.

The rather impressive costume includes color changing LEDs on the spine and front that are controlled by Arduino boards with Atmel AVR and ARM microcontrollers and onboard RGB controllers (respectively) – powered by 16 AA batteries, 1 LiPo rechargeable battery, two 2032 coin cells and one 9-volt battery.

In total, says Mel, there are more than 70 LEDs on the entire costume and over 60 parts.

Arduino Zero takes center stage at Maker Faire

Arduino and Atmel recently debuted the Zero, a 32-bit development board powered by Atmel’s ARM-based (Cortex M0+ core) SAMD21 microcontroller (MCU).

Today, the Zero took center stage at Maker Faire Bay Area, as Arduino co-founder Massimo Banzi, along with ARM and Atmel execs, unveiled the long-awaited board for all to see.

As we’ve previously discussed on Bits & Pieces, the Zero features 256kb of flash, 32kb SRAM in a TQFP package and compatibility with 3.3V shields that conform to the Arduino R3 layout.

In addition, the Arduino Zero board boasts flexible peripherals along with Atmel’s Embedded Debugger (EDBG) – facilitating a full debug interface on the SAMD21 without the need for supplemental hardware.

Last, but certainly not least, EDBG supports a virtual COM port that can be used for device programming and traditional Arduino bootloader functionality.

Interested in learning more about the Atmel-powered Arduino Zero? You can check out the dev board’s official page here.

Who’s talking about the Arduino Zero ?

The Atmel-powered Arduino Zero dev board was officially announced on May 15th, 2014. The board’s debut has already been covered by a number of prominent tech publications, including Ars Technica, HackADay, EE Times, Electronics Weekly, CNX Software, UberGizmo, Geeky Gadgets, SlashGear, PC World, SemiWiki and Makezine.

Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica



“The Zero is a 32-bit extension of Arduino’s flagship Uno board, developed jointly by the Arduino team and Atmel, targeted at helping developers prototype smart devices. Based on the Atmel SAM D21 ARM Cortex-based microcontroller, the Zero includes Amtel’s Embedded Debugger—allowing developers to debug their projects without having to wire up another interface.

”

“It gives developers a huge boost in storage and memory over the Uno, providing 256KB of onboard Flash storage (compared to the Uno’s 32KB) and 32KB of static RAM (compared to the Uno’s 2KB). It can also emulate an Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) of up to 168KB, while the Uno only supported 1KB of EEPROM.”

Brian Benchoff, HackADay

“The Arduino Zero uses an Atmel ARM Cortex-M0+ for 256kB of Flash and 32k of RAM. The board supports Atmel’s Embedded Debugger, finally giving the smaller Arduino boards debugging support.

“The chip powering the Zero features six communications modules, configurable as a UART, I2C, or SPI. USB device and host are also implemented on the chip [and] there are two USB connectors on the board.”

Max Maxfield, EE Times



“I’ve become a huge supporter of the Arduino, from the concept to the hardware to the software (IDE) to the ecosystem. I’m now using Arduinos and Arduino-compatible platforms for all sorts of projects, including my Infinity Mirror, my Inamorata Prognostication Engine and my BADASS Display.

“Each Arduino and Arduino-compatible platform offers different features, functions, capacities, and capabilities, which makes it possible to select the optimal platform for the project at hand using criteria such as size, cost, performance, and number of input/output pins. As of this morning, there’s a new kid on the block – the Arduino Zero, which has been jointly developed by Atmel and Arduino.”

Alasdair Allan, MakeZine

“While it shares the same form factor as the Arduino Leonardo—with 14 digital and 5 analog pins—all of the digital pins except the Rx/Tx pins can act as PWM pins, and the analog pins have a 12-bit ADC instead of the Leonardo’s 10-bit ADC, giving significantly better analog resolution,” writes Makezine’s Alasdair Allan.

“The new board comes with 256KB of Flash memory, and 32KB of SRAM. While the new board doesn’t have EEPROM, it does support 16KB by emulation, so Arduino sketches relying on this feature will still run without issue.”

Arduino Zero – official specs:

• Microcontroller ATSAMD21G18, 48pins LQFP
• Operating voltage 3.3V
• Digital I/O Pins 14, with 12 PWM and UART
• Analog input pins 6, including 5 12bits ADC channels and one 10 bits DAC
• DC current per I/O Pin 7 mA
• Flash memory 256 KB
• SRAM 32 KB
• EEPROM up to 16KB by emulation
• Clock speed 48 MHz

Interested in learning more? You can check out the official Arduino Zero page here.