Viewpoints

The internet of things (IoT) now goes beyond machine-to-machine communications (M2M), as it has evolved to deliver connectivity between a broader range of devices, and systems. Consequently, manufacturers are adding wireless modules into products, beyond the more traditional market of laptops and mobile phones, including them in everything from domestic fridges to industrial machinery. In the European Union (EU) radio ...

If 2014 was the year of IoT, then we move into 2015 and address the evolution of IoT and the products the market requires. IoT can be applied almost anywhere, however we’re seeing the most momentum from industrial applications such as smart building, smart factory, smart mobility and smart public services. An essential part of these applications is the sensor. ...

Cars are changing. While a few years back, the main challenges in designing a car were in its mechanics, the new challenge is the design and integration of electronic systems. I still remember my first car: The most sophisticated bit of electronics was the after-market CD player I installed. Embedded World: Your Electronics Weekly guide » Nowadays, electronics lie behind ...

Consumers are ready to adopt wristband wearable devices so what trends can we expect for wearables? A recent survey by Forrester Research shows 36% of European consumers are interested in a wristband as a wearable sensor device. Surprisingly, the game of golf provides a unique perspective of wearable IoT technology trends over the next 3-5 years. There are about 80 ...

The increased complexity of embedded systems has changed dramatically in the past ten years, especially in terms of project execution speed. 
The scale an application used to be such that a designer could take microcontroller development kits and produce all the software in house. However, the need for communications, user interface and remote management features make it difficult for developers ...

You’ve read the book. You know the book I’m talking about. It’s the one that tells you what wonderful things Toyota and Dell Computer have done with their supply chains and how you and your company can do the same if you employ the same procedures and techniques. While everyone knows running a streamlined supply chain, regardless of company size, ...

In electric vehicles, manufacturers are addressing charging and storage issues, while mass transportation systems such as trains require the full range of technologies – from power transmission and control solutions through to wireless access. Although the defence market is basically flat, that can change very quickly. There is an increase in the sophistication of encryption and security systems used by ...

Following robust sales in 2014, I expect to see a further increase in sales in 2015. We have seen the market for manufacturing professional electronic equipment, as opposed to consumer equipment, continuing to grow in UK and the rest of Europe. However, there have been recent reports of manufacturing output slowing in the UK, although the unemployment rate continues to ...

As well as all the other reasons to keep manufacturing local, certain parts of Europe are now comparable with China and Malaysia when it comes to pricing, which is probably why we are seeing a resurgence of manufacturing in Europe and an increase in ‘reshoring’ – business returning to the continent, primarily from South East Asia. No one is seriously ...

It is always difficult to predict what is likely to happen in the electronics market because we are, as ever, at the mercy of the general economy and there is little we can do to influence that. Uncertainty over the euro caused by problems in countries such as Greece and elsewhere may lead to slow-downs. If we look wider, the ...