Steve Rogerson reports from last month’s Autotronics automotive electronics show in Taipei. Taiwan watches. It’s what it does best. For years in the consumer electronics space, it has watched what everyone else has been doing and then done the same, but better, cheaper or often both. This ability, which has made it one of the high-tech hubs of the world, is now moving full scale into the automotive space.

The rise of fingerprint sensors in mobile phones has brought biometric security to the masses, with a brand new technology set to make it even more secure, writes Sally Ward-Foxton.

Nicolette Emmino takes a look at the role virtual reality (VR) can play within medical applications. Virtual reality - we’ve been hearing a lot about the computer technology that reproduces entire environments and simulates a user’s presence to artificially create sensory experiences, especially with recent releases like Oculus Rift and the Samsung Gear VR devices.

Steve Rogerson looks at some of the recent news that may have missed the front page. British start-up Echo has designed a cable for an iPhone that is stronger than the one Apple provides. In fact, so strong is it that it can tow a car, and they sent a video to prove it. My question is why anybody would want a mobile phone cable that strong. Then again, I suppose it might come in handy if you break down somewhere remote. The company is runnin...

In an effort to accelerate the global manufacturing sector towards the fourth industrial revolution (commonly referred to as Industry 4.0), major players including Rolls Royce, ABB, Airbus, GE Europe and Hilti are set to come together for the Manufacturing Forum, which will examine how manufacturing businesses can begin the radical transformation towards Industry 4.0.

Einstein's theory of general relativity is to be put to the test by a newly launched satellite in an experiment that could upend our understanding of physics. The French "Microscope" orbiter will try to poke a hole in one of Einstein's most famous theories, which provides the basis for our modern understanding of gravity. Scientists will use the kit to measure how two different pieces of metal—one titanium and the other a platinum-rhodium a...

MISRA is releasing new documents to clarify use of the MISRA C Guidelines in developing any application with high integrity or high reliability requirements - both safety related and security related. The release will take place at a MISRA workshop at the Device Developer Conference in Cambridge on 27th April.

There have been several high profile incidents of UAVs, or drones, entering into areas where they shouldn’t be – leading to concerns that they could be employed by criminal or terrorist groups. Whether that threat is real or whether there is an element of scaremongering going on, there is no doubting the rapid rise in the number of commercial drones taking to the skies.

Over the last 20 years technology has altered the way sport across the world is played and officiated. For example, tennis and cricket have each embraced video technology to challenge disputed decisions like line-calls and run-outs, and television referees have been an undisputed success in both rugby league and rugby union to assist the on-field official to make the correct decision when allowing a try.

TECAT Performance Systems has announced the release of the WISER 2030-S, the first version of the company's wireless torque sensor to feature shunt calibration. The WISER 2030-S will simplify instrumentation verification for users while allowing them to check calibration of the system in the field.

Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been employed in military applications for some time. However, in a major advancement, driverless military vehicles may soon be a common sight on the world’s oceans as well as in the skys.

As part of the increasing level of integration of technology within real time sporting environments, Major League Baseball (MLB) in the US, has approved two wearable devices for use during this season’s games.

Steve Rogerson looks at some of the recent news that may have missed the front page. I didn’t have far to go for Medicity Innovators’ Week, a medical technology event in Nottingham. However, it didn’t get off to the best start as they announced at the beginning that one of the keynote speakers had cancelled due to ill health. 

In the US the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) currently prohibits commercial drone flights over populated areas. However, a new government sponsored committee is recommending new standards that could help speed-up the roll-out of commercial drone flights.

From changing the phase of glass to moving copper ions around, Sally Ward-Foxton reports on some of the most novel and interesting memory technologies to come to market in recent months.

Steve Rogerson looks at how the IoT is affecting the medical industry and asks whether the days of the human doctor may be numbered. One of the most prominent areas being impacted by the Internet of Things (IoT) is medical technology, with the promise of remote patient care and people being treated at home whilst being linked to medical staff over various communications links. 

Nicolette Emmino discusses the evolution of wireless charging and what we can expect to see as the technology develops. We are hearing about wireless charging more and more - electric vehicle makers are working on it, cellphones have become compatible, even furniture has the ability to wirelessly charge devices. There’s even some speculation that the next iPhone will be equipped with wireless charging capabilities.

Japanese scientists have reviewed recent progress in advanced optical materials based on gadolinium aluminate garnet (GAG), while pointing out the knowledge gaps that need to be filled to improve their optical performance.

The vast array of consumer devices that we use today all need rechargeable batteries. A key element of these batteries is so-called ‘white petroleum’ or lithium – an essentially irreplaceable component of laptops, mobile phones, electric cars and some pharmaceutical applications – which is rocketing in value. Specialists estimate that lithium demand will outstrip supply by 2023, with the vast majority coming from rechargea...

We can all agree that, while not the sexiest of gadgets, wireless routers are very important: you need to select the right one for your requirements. Whether you work from home, spend lots of time playing online games or just stream a lot of Netflix, a good router is essential to ensure you have a fast and reliable internet connection.