element14, an Avnet Community, has launched a new smart transport design challenge inviting engineers, makers and technology enthusiasts to design and build innovative prototypes focused on the future of electric and intelligent vehicles.

The challenge encourages participants to create a prototype smart electric vehicle or an intelligent system designed for next‑generation transportation, tackling real‑world challenges such as obstacle avoidance, battery optimization, vehicle safety and system efficiency.

Five selected challengers will receive a free kit of components to support the design and build of their prototype or test rig. Participants must document their build process through blog posts and share their final outcomes. Submissions will be evaluated based on creativity, technical execution and innovative use of the components provided.

“Smart transportation is evolving quickly, and hands-on experimentation plays a critical role in turning ideas into practical solutions,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing and element14 Community. “This challenge empowers community members to explore emerging vehicle technologies while sharing knowledge and inspiring innovation across the engineering community.”

Example smart transport project concepts include, but are not limited to:

• Prototype electric vehicles
• Automated or auto-charging EV parking systems
• Battery management and diagnostic systems
• Speed monitoring solutions
• EV safety and redundancy systems
• Traffic management solutions
• Sensor and perception systems
• Navigation and obstacle avoidance systems

Applicants are encouraged to review the example application available on the challenge page to assist with the submission process.

The first-place winner will receive a smart electric scooter, a smart LED bike helmet and a bionic dog robot. Second place will receive a bionic dog robot, and third place will be awarded an off-road unmanned ground vehicle robot. All participants who successfully complete the challenge will also receive a 400A AC/DC Clamp Meter.

Applications are open now through 7 June. Selected participants will have until 16 August to complete and submit their projects.

For more information and to register, visit: https://community.element14.com/ez-ev

element14, an Avnet Community, has launched INSPIRE HER FUTURE, a global celebration recognizing women driving progress across science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Women are building, testing, teaching and advancing technology worldwide, yet many of their contributions go unrecognized. INSPIRE HER FUTURE aims to highlight their work, encourage more women to share their experiences and create a global collection of stories that reflect the diversity of the STEM community.

“Women are shaping the future of engineering and technology every day, often without visibility or recognition,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community. “By sharing these stories, we’re creating representation, building connection and helping ensure the next generation sees a place for themselves in STEM.”

The initiative invites women at all stages of their careers, including students, early‑career engineers, makers, educators and experienced professionals, to share their journeys. Submissions may include career paths, projects, challenges, lessons learned and advice for those entering the field.

The celebration centers women’s voices and is open to everyone through nominations and ally participation. Community members, colleagues, mentors and allies are encouraged to nominate women who inspire them through leadership, creativity, curiosity or impact. With permission, selected nominees may be featured or invited to participate.

Selected submissions will be recognized across the Student, Early Career and Professional/Educator categories, with standout contributions featured on the element14 Community and awarded prizes. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of community judges based on quality, insight and impact. Terms and conditions apply.

To submit a story or nominate someone who inspires you, visit https://community.element14.com/p/inspire-her-future.

element14, an Avnet Community, has launched its latest design competition, inviting engineers, makers and technology enthusiasts to develop smart industry projects focused on production monitoring, uptime optimization and product testing.

Selected participants will design and build a prototype or test rig using a kit of components from leading suppliers. Entries will be judged on creativity and the imaginative use of component features.

The challenge centers on adding intelligence to production environments. Example project concepts include miniature production line demonstrations, open‑source conveyor systems, inventory management tools, production line monitoring, predictive maintenance, RFID tracking and quality control solutions.

“To us, smart industry is about applying creativity and practical engineering to real‑world manufacturing challenges,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing and element14 Community. “This challenge gives our members the opportunity to explore industrial innovation while sharing their ideas and learning from one another.”

To be eligible for prizes, participants must document their build process and publish a final project blog on the element14 Community, clearly highlighting the sponsor components used.

The first-place winner will receive an Multicomp Pro MP720013 Oscilloscope. Second place will receive a Multicomp Pro MP750511 Waveform Generator, and third place will receive a Multicomp Pro MP3055 Bench Digital Multimeter. All participants who successfully complete the challenge will also receive a Multicomp Pro AC/DC Voltage Clamp Meter.

Applications are open now through 12 April and participants will have until 21 June to complete and submit their projects.

For more information and to register, visit: https://community.element14.com/on-the-line.

element14, an Avnet Community, in collaboration with ADI, has launched a new design challenge inviting engineers and makers to develop advanced security and surveillance prototypes.

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype or test rig utilizing ADI’s MAX32630FTHR, a versatile development platform, and Würth Elektronik’s SMD LEDs with an integrated WL-ICLED controller. The challenge encourages creative applications of these components to deliver innovative security features.

Selected challengers will receive a free kit of components, with ADI’s MAX32630FTHR as the core element, to assist in building their prototypes. Each participant will document the build process and final outcome through blogs on the element14 Community platform.

Examples of potential applications include facial recognition door entry systems, voice and face detection, environmental monitoring, crowd sentiment analysis, break-in detection and remote security sentry solutions.

“Through this challenge, we’re inviting our global community to showcase creativity and problem-solving in the field of security and surveillance,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community. “It’s an opportunity for participants to learn, share ideas, and demonstrate how innovative thinking can address real-world safety challenges.”

“We’re excited to collaborate with the element14 Community on a challenge that inspires creativity and problem-solving,” said Stephane Di Vito, ADI Distinguished Engineer, Product Security. “This initiative brings together passionate designers and engineers to explore new ideas and develop solutions that can make security smarter and more effective.”

Prizes will be awarded for the most outstanding projects. The first-place winner will receive a 13-piece SimpliSafe Home Security System and a Multicomp Pro Hot Air Rework Station. The second-place winner will receive the same SimpliSafe system plus a multi screwdriver set, while the third-place winner will receive the SimpliSafe system. All participants who complete the challenge will receive a MultiComp Pro Multimeter Set.

For more information and to register, visit https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/smart-security-and-surveillance/.

element14 Community has launched its annual holiday competition, inviting members to create electronics projects inspired by the holidays and what they mean to them. Participants can compete for prizes by submitting a write-up detailing how they built their project and demonstrating how it works.

This holiday season, element14 Community is highlighting its curated winter wishlists for engineers and students. The STEM-inspired gift guide includes practical tools, kits and resources to support learning and hands-on projects.

Examples from last year’s competition include an electronic elf, an interactive mini Zen garden and a musical, motion-activated wreath.

Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community, stated, “To us, the holidays are about creativity and connection. This competition gives our members the chance to share what the season means to them while showcasing their engineering skills in fun and innovative ways.”

To enter, participants must submit their project write-up on the element14 Community by 11 January 2026. Projects can be gifts, decorations or party accessories, as long as they include electronic components and reflect what the holidays mean to them.

For more information on how to participate and to see inspiration from past entries, visit the holiday competition page.

To explore holiday wishlists, visit https://community.element14.com/members-area/holidays/.

element14, an Avnet Community, in collaboration with Molex, has launched a new design challenge inviting engineers, makers and technology enthusiasts to experiment with single pair Ethernet (SPE) and explore its potential benefits for industrial automation.

SPE is an evolution of traditional Ethernet that uses only two wires for data transmission instead of eight, enabling higher speeds, smaller and lighter cables, and reduced installation costs, which are especially valuable in industrial applications.

Participants in the challenge will receive a kit of SPE components, with four selected applicants receiving a Molex SPE Kit free of charge. Contestants must document their experiments or projects in blog posts on the element14 Community, incorporating the kit in their final project or summary. Innovative use of Molex SPE connectors and cables will be a key factor in determining the winners eligible for prizes.

“Molex is excited to collaborate with the talented engineers of the element14 Community on this Single Pair Ethernet design challenge,” said Jennifer Paukert, VP of Global Distribution, Molex. “Advancements in SPE technology offer significant advantages, including reduced wiring costs, space and weight savings and enhanced connectivity across industrial and building automation applications. We look forward to the comprehensive testing and valuable insights that will emerge from this community of innovators.”

“Single pair Ethernet is an exciting evolution of an established technology that has the potential to transform industrial connectivity,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing and element14 Community. “Through this challenge, we hope to inspire our members to explore creative ways to implement SPE in real-world applications.”

The challenge is open to all element14 Community members, and registration is free.

For more information and to register, visit https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/experimenting-with-single-pair-ethernet/.

element14 Community has launched its annual Halloween design competition, inviting engineers, makers, and electronics enthusiasts to develop innovative Halloween-themed projects. The competition has become a tradition within the community, providing a platform for participants of all experience levels to showcase their creativity and technical skills.

This year’s challenge encourages participants to design and build projects that capture the spirit of Halloween using electronic components. Example submissions could include electronic decorations, zombie defenses, automatic spooking machines, or wearable electronic costumes and props.

The competition will award prizes across multiple categories, including one first-place winner, three second-place winners, and three runner-up winners. Each winning participant will be able to select from a curated set of prize options.

“Each year, our Halloween competition highlights the ingenuity of the element14 Community,” Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 community. “It is an opportunity for makers and engineers to share ideas, learn from one another, and celebrate their passion for electronics in a unique and engaging way.”

To qualify, participants must submit a project write-up detailing their design and build process by 9 November 2025. Submissions should be made directly on the official competition page.

The competition is open to both new and long-standing community members, with a focus on creativity, effort, and knowledge-sharing.

For full details and to enter the competition, visit: https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/halloween/b/news/posts/join-the-element14-community-2025-halloween-competition.

Newark has long recognized that buildings are rapidly becoming smarter and more connected. As design engineers push the boundaries of innovation in automation, surveillance, fire safety, and sustainability, the demand for advanced technologies such as IoT, AI, and data analytics continues to grow.

Newark plays a crucial role by supplying the essential components that allow buildings to autonomously handle complex tasks, enabling engineers to transform these innovations into reality.

Customers will now have access to Newark’s expanded range of innovative products and solutions from leading suppliers, including Amphenol, ams OSRAM, Analog Devices, Arduino, Emerson, NI, Murata, Panasonic, Power Integrations, Renesas, Raspberry Pi, and TE Connectivity—all available under one roof, enabling the development of smarter and more responsive buildings.

Newark, Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing and element14 Community, said, “Our focus is on empowering smart building solutions with a wide range of components tailored to optimise logistics, HVAC systems, environmental controls, and security. We are excited to provide engineers with the tools they need to turn innovative concepts into tangible outcomes."

Some of the key components to support smart infrastructures include:

Analog Devices

• The ADPD188BI integrated optical module for smoke detection; the ADIN2111 low complexity, 2-port Ethernet switch offers low-complexity networking; and the ADuCM4050 ultra-low power ARM Cortex-M4F MCU ensures long-lasting performance in energy-sensitive applications

Raspberry Pi

• AI-Powered RPi 5 Computer is optimized for AI applications, enabling smarter systems. The Compute Module 4 offers a low-cost, production-ready IoT platform, while the Pico 2 delivers powerful edge processing for flexible automation.

Arduino

• The Portenta; Opta and Nicla, are poised to deliver industrial grade sensors for control, edge processing, flexible automation and AI machine learning into existing infrastructures.

Emerson NI

• mioDAQ offers more accurate measurements and simplified user experience. For flexible installation, the DIN Rail Mounting Kit ensures easy horizontal mounting, while the Rack Mount Kit lets securely fit up to two mioDAQ devices in a 19” rack, complete with USB-C cables for effortless connectivity.

TE Connectivity

• The Industrial Mini I/O ensures dependable serial, bus, and Ethernet connections, M8/M12 connectors provide a fast, hybrid solution for future-ready designs, and ERNI SMC connectors offer flexible, high-density connectivity for board-to-board and wire-to-board applications.

For more information and to explore Newark’s smart building solutions, visit Newark in North America, Farnell in EMEA and element14 in APAC.

element14, an Avnet Community, in partnership with TDK, has launched a new design challenge, inviting engineers, makers, and technology enthusiasts to develop innovative projects utilizing TDK’s waterproof ultrasonic range sensors in real-world applications.

Participants will integrate TDK USSM Plus-FS sensors into a functional project that demonstrates the versatility and accuracy of ultrasonic distance sensing technology. Selected applicants will receive an evaluation kit from TDK, which includes two TDK USSM Plus-FS ultrasonic range sensors, a TDK evaluation board, and a set of sensor connector cables.

Participants are encouraged to explore a range of potential applications for ultrasonic sensing technology, such as object detection, industrial control sensing, human-robot interaction, movement boundary control, conveyor belt monitoring, smart delivery robots, autonomous lawnmowers, and liquid level sensing.

Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community, stated, “This design challenge provides our community with the opportunity to explore the power of ultrasonic sensing technology with hands-on experience in real-world applications.”

Applications are open till 28 March. Once selected, participants have until 16 June to build their projects. Challengers must post their progress including the final project and at least five blog posts before the closing date. Posts that include photos, videos and code samples will be judged more favorably.

The grand prize winner will receive an Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (4^th gen) 128GB and an iRobot Roomba self-emptying robot vacuum cleaner, the runner-up will receive an iPad Mini 10.9 inch 64GB and an iRobot Roomba self-emptying robot vacuum cleaner, and other finishers of the challenge (anyone who completes five blogs and a project with the featured product) will receive a MultiComp Pro Multimeter Set.

For more information on the design challenge and to register, please visit: https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/in-reach-ultrasonic-sensor-sensing-challenge.

The holidays are here, and the element14 Community is spreading festive cheer with activities designed to inspire engineers, makers and creators of all kinds.

This year’s celebrations promise a mix of creativity, learning, and camaraderie. Here’s what to expect:

• STEM-Inspired Gift Wishlist: Explore curated holiday gift guides packed with ideas for engineers and parents aiming to ignite a passion for STEM in their children.
• Holiday Quiz: Challenge your knowledge with a quiz guaranteed to keep you thinking throughout the season.
• Annual Holiday Electronics Competition: This competition invites participants to showcase holiday-themed electronic creations inspired by the spirit of the season.

The centerpiece of the festivities is the holiday electronics competition. Participants are encouraged to share their unique electronic projects that celebrate the meaning of the holidays. Projects can range from a party-planning aid to a creative upgrade for holiday decorations or even a thoughtful gift.

Creativity, originality, and technical excellence will be rewarded, with prizes available for first place, second place, and five runners-up. Winners will have the opportunity to choose from three prizes tailored to support their current or future projects.

For more information on how to participate and to see inspirations from past entries, visit the holiday competition page.

Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community, stated, “Whether it’s festive cheer or technical ingenuity, this competition is all about bringing the community together during the holiday season. We can’t wait to see what our talented community members create this year. Happy holidays and happy creating from the element14 Community!”

For more details on the competition and to explore the holiday wishlists and quiz, please visit: https://community.element14.com/members-area/holidays/.

element14, an Avnet Community, has teamed up with NXP to launch an exciting new design challenge centered around building automation for smart spaces. This challenge invites engineers and tech enthusiasts to develop innovative solutions using NXP’s FRDM MCX A Series (A15X) development kit.

Ten selected participants will receive the NXP FRDM MCX A15X kit and will tackle a building automation problem. Suggested projects include, but are not limited to:

• Smart Temperature Control System
• Bluetooth Lighting Controller
• Attendance and Presence Monitoring
• Meeting Room Booking System
• CO2 Monitor
• Foot Traffic Monitoring System

Applications are open until 16 December, and the chosen challengers will be announced on 20 December. Participants will then have until 7 March 2025 to complete their projects and document their journey through blog posts on the element14 Community platform.

Challengers will compete for a range of exciting prizes. The grand prize and runner-up winners will receive a Nest Home Automation Kit, CCTV system, and Multicomp Pro Multimeters. To be eligible, participants must share regular updates and document their build process, culminating in a final showcase of their Building Automation Project.

Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community stated, “We're thrilled to join forces with NXP to inspire engineers and tech enthusiasts to push the boundaries of building automation. This challenge provides a unique opportunity to leverage NXP’s advanced FRDM MCX A15X development kit and transform spaces through innovative, practical solutions. We look forward to seeing how participants bring their creative ideas to life, shaping the future of smart spaces.

The online hackathon-style design challenge was officially launched at element14 Community's stand at Farnell’s exhibit within Avnet City during electronica 2024, encouraging attendees to learn more and get involved.

For those attending electronica, element14 Community is hosting Student Day, sponsored by Multicomp Pro, on Friday 15 November. Students and educators are invited to visit the Farnell booth throughout the day to discuss the free technical resources the element14 community has to offer and pick up exclusive giveaways.

For more information and to register for the design challenge, visit: community.element14.com/SmartSpaces.

element14, an Avnet Community, and Fluke, the global leader in electronic test and measurement tools, are pleased to announce an upcoming webinar focused on commissioning and maintaining photovoltaic (PV) systems.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 13 November 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) / 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

This engaging session will offer a comprehensive overview of the tests performed throughout the lifecycle of a PV solar array, applicable to installations across industrial, residential, and commercial contexts. The webinar is designed for all experience levels, whether you’re new to solar technology or a seasoned engineer.

The English language webinar will be led by Will White, Fluke's solar application specialist, who will guide participants from installation and commissioning through the operational maintenance of typical PV systems. Attendees will learn about critical tools and techniques, including the use of digital multimeters, clamp meters, thermal imaging devices, insulation resistance testers, I-V curve tracers, irradiance meters, power quality tools, and solar asset management software.

Key topics covered include:

• Tests conducted at each stage of a solar installation’s lifecycle.
• Detecting and locating ground faults within solar module strings using voltage.
• Understanding category and voltage ratings to select the appropriate test tools.
• A live Q&A session, where attendees can ask questions directly to Will White.
• A competition to win prizes from Fluke.

Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community stated, "As the demand for clean energy solutions continues to grow, understanding the proper tools and techniques for commissioning and maintaining photovoltaic systems is more important than ever. Our upcoming webinar with Fluke will be valuable for anyone involved in the solar industry or looking to expand their knowledge of PV systems and the tools required to ensure optimal performance and safety.”

For more information and to register for the webinar, please visit: https://community.element14.com/learn/events/c/e/1720.

element14, an Avnet Community, has launched the “Start a Movement” Design Challenge which will grant 20 engineers the opportunity to build a project of their choosing that features a moving component. Challengers will use the provided Analog Devices TMC5272-EVAL kit and accompanying QSH4218 NEMA 17 stepper motor and PSU to bring their projects to life with automated movement.

Designers are encouraged to let their creativity flow when it comes to how they would like to incorporate moving parts within their projects. Example tasks that can be performed include but are not limited to:

• Movement Control
• Precise Movement
• Wearables
• Personal Portable Devices
• Optical Systems, Lens Control
• CCTV, Surveillance, Conference Systems Focus/Zoom and Pan/Tilt Control
• Patch and Insulin Pumps
• Pipettes and Liquid Handling
• Small Printing and Scanning Devices
• Lab and Office Automation
• Space-Constrained Stepper Motor Applications
• Energy efficient movement control

“Movement capabilities are crucial to all pieces of technology in daily life,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community. “We hope this challenge inspires our members to incorporate more automated, moving parts into their future creations and potentially leads them to design new, cutting-edge innovations.”

Applications are open until October 18. Once selected, participants will have until December 3 to build their projects. To qualify as completing the challenge, chosen participants must post five blogs or forum posts within the contest site regarding their build process and one project article on the final outcome of their project. Posts that include photos, videos and code samples will be judged more favorably.  

The grand prize winner will receive a KELKART 27.5 Inch Electric Bike, runners-up will receive a Fafrees Electric Bike and other finishers of the challenge will receive a MultiComp Pro Multimeter Set.

To learn more about the “Start a Movement” Design Challenge and to get moving on entering the competition, please visit https://community.element14.com/start-a-movement.

element14, an Avnet Community, in collaboration with AMD, has launched the “Eye on Intelligence” design challenge. This innovative competition invites participants to design and build an embedded vision project using a development kit based on the AMD Zynq-7000^TM SoC devices.

Embedded vision is increasingly being integrated into various projects, significantly impacting skill sets, technical innovation, and product development. AMD adaptive SoCs and FPGAs are the ideal devices for creating embedded visual intelligence systems. The challenge offers an excellent opportunity for developers to enhance their embedded vision skills by utilizing the AMD Zynq-7000^TM SoC-based development kit.

15 official applicants will receive a Digilent Arty Z7 (P/N 410-346-20) development platform, designed around the AMD Zynq-7000^TM SoC, free of charge. To compete for prizes, participants must blog about their design process and the outcome of their embedded vision project, ensuring the kit is used in the final project. The competition encourages creative use of the FPGA components and innovative applications of AMD’s adaptive SoC technology.

Example tasks for the competition include, but are not limited to, Facial Recognition Signage, ANPR Registration Plate Monitoring System, Object Classification, and Object Sorting System.

"This design challenge is a great opportunity for developers to push the boundaries of embedded vision technology using AMD's adaptive SoCs and FPGAs,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community. “We're excited to see the groundbreaking projects our participants will create and how they will leverage the AMD Zynq-7000^TM SoC to drive advancements in machine learning and AI-powered applications."

The grand prize includes a Multicomp Pro MP720025 Digital Oscilloscope and a Multicomp Pro MP710082 Bench Power Supply, with a combined value of approximately $900. The runner-up prize consists of a Multicomp Pro MP720857 Handheld Oscilloscope and a Tenma 72-2660 Handheld DC Power Supply, valued at around $380. Lastly, the finisher prize is a Multicomp Pro MP781004 Handheld Digital Multimeter.

Applications are open now until July 17. The 15 selected challengers will have until October 25 to complete their projects and blog entries. Winners will be announced in October 2024.

To learn more about the design challenge and enter the competition, please visit https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/eye-on-intelligence-challenge/.

element14, an Avnet Community, has launched the “Shift It! – Warehouse Automation Challenge” which will allow 15 selected engineers and designers to build a project that would help in automating a warehouse.

Selected participants will receive a bundle of TE Connectors and Arduino Uno Robotics Shields to enable them to build their robotics movement projects. Challengers are tasked with using four or more of the TE Connectivity Products within their designs.

Members can design any project of their liking that would work to automate a warehouse, including schemes such as automatic inventory systems, automatic movement systems, warehouse worker safety systems, automated timesheet systems, and electronic stock taking systems.

“Automation has already changed the way tasks are performed in warehouses and factories, and it will only continue to do so,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community. “We’re excited to offer our Community members the opportunity to experiment with the process themselves and see the potential of robotics for large scale applications.”

Potential participants must apply by June 19. Once selected, challengers must post their progress and final project in at least five blog posts by August 28 in order to compete for prizes such as an Apple iPad Pro 11-Inch, iRobot Roomba Self Emptying Robot Vacuum Clearer and an iPad Mini 10.9 Inch. Anyone who completes their project and the five blog posts will receive the finisher prize, a MultiComp Pro Multimeter Set.

Good use of the TE connectivity components and interesting uses of movement, in addition to blog posts containing photos, videos and code samples will be viewed more favorably in the judging process.

Applications close on June 19 and selected challengers will have until August 28 to complete their projects and blog posts. Winners will be announced in September 2024.

To learn more about the Shift It! – Warehouse Automation Challenge and enter the competition, please visit https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/shift-it-warehouse-automation-design-challenge/

element14, an Avnet Community, in collaboration with AMD, is pleased to announce a series of webinars aimed at developers and engineers interested in cutting-edge technologies.

AMD Versal™︎ Visions: Exploring the Frontier of Adaptive Computing

Date: May 21, 2024, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

AMD Versal™︎ Adaptive SoCs present an innovative adaptive SoC to developers. AMD Versal Adaptive SoCs mark a significant evolution from previous generations of AMD SoCs. This webinar will introduce the AMD Versal Adaptive SoC, its unique architecture and use cases along with a demonstration of the Versal adaptive SoC’s capabilities in AI and other applications. This introduction to the AMD Versal architecture will also explore the differences between the various families of AMD Versal devices e.g., AMD Versal Prime, Premium, Edge, etc., along with delving into the different development frameworks and entry points available depending on the target application.

The webinar will conclude with a brief introduction to the range of Versal edge development boards currently in development which will broaden developers' access to the AMD Versal portfolio.

Simplifying Motor Control with the Kria KD240 Drives Starter Kit

Date: June 18, 2024, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

With the Kria KD240 Drives Starter Kit, Motor accessory pack, Kria App Store, and support for Python as well as MATLAB and Simulink flows enable developers to be spinning a motor with field-oriented control loops out-of-the-box and then onto the next step to tune the pre-built algorithms to their needs very quickly for 1-to-n independent axes of control. With a curative out-of-the box experience, entry-level developers can get started without downloading an AMD tool or having prior FPGA development experience.

In this webinar, Karan Kantharia from AMD will provide an introduction to the Kria KD240 Drives Starter Kit and how it can be used to accelerate the design of size, power, and price-sensitive industrial edge applications such as electric drives/motor control and other digital signal processing-intensive applications.

"We are excited to partner with AMD to bring these informative webinars to our community," said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community "These sessions will provide valuable insights into cutting-edge technologies and empower developers to leverage the latest innovations in adaptive computing and motor control."

AMD is a computing leader, powering the products and services that help solve the world’s most important challenges with technologies advancing the future of the data center, embedded, gaming, and PC markets.

To register for these webinars and learn more about the topics covered, visit element14 Community.

Newark recently conducted an element14 Community poll to assess the industry’s current view on the predicted successor to Industry 4.0, i.e., “Industry 5.0”, which is a concept that asserts that robots and other machines will soon emerge to work comfortably alongside human beings by leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data.

The element14 Community poll results offered a number of useful insights that, overall, appear to indicate that, while Industry 5.0 is a valid concept, it is seen by some as premature.

For example, while a small percentage of respondents claimed that they are already involved in Industry 5.0 initiatives to some degree, a quarter of the respondents don’t see a transition occurring for another three to five years.

However, half of the poll respondents believe that Industry 5.0 is a concept that may never as currently envisaged be fully adopted as it doesn’t fully take into account the realities of Industry 4.0. That’s because Industry 4.0 is still in its relative infancy as manufacturers learn how to scale up and transition their operations to take advantage of the benefits of data analytics, AI, and machine learning. There is still a long way to go with Industry 4.0, but it is getting there relatively quickly.

“We are excited to unveil the findings from our recent element14 Community poll, shedding light on the industry’s perspectives regarding Industry 5.0. While the concept shows promise, our poll reveals a diverse range of opinions, suggesting that its widespread adoption might be premature for some,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community. “With a quarter of respondents projecting a transition timeline of three to five years and others express skepticism about its feasibility, it’s evident that Industry 4.0 remains a pivotal focus for many.”

Newark is proud of its support for Industry 4.0 as the relentless march to digitalization continues to revolutionize modern industry, and the not-yet so clearly defined industry of the future.

Development engineers who are leading the way in both of these new industrial eras can find everything they need – and more – for their solutions from Newark’s vast range of Industrial Automation and Control products from the world’s leading manufacturers, in stock and ready to ship.

element14 Community, in collaboration with Arduino, is hosting an upcoming webinar titled “Exploring Arduino Pro’s Role in Industry 4.0.” The webinar will take place on April 18, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Central Time (US).

Join the element14 Community for this insightful session where they will explore the transformative potential of Arduino Pro products in enabling edge computing capabilities within Industry 4.0 applications across various industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.

During the webinar, attendees will have the opportunity to explore practical examples showcasing the application of Arduino Pro products in IoT projects, demonstrating their ability and scalability. Additionally, it will discuss how the incorporation of edge AI elevates project functionalities, enhances scalability, and enriches the overall user experience.

What participants will learn by attending:

• How the Arduino platform can be used in Industry 4.0
• The application of Arduino Pro products in an IoT projects
• Demonstrating how edge AI can enhance the project's functionality, scalability and user experience

"We are excited to host this webinar and shed light on the capabilities of Arduino Pro products in the context of Industry 4.0," said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community. "By attending, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how Arduino Pro products empower businesses to harness the full potential of Industry 4.0, driving enhanced productivity and competitiveness."

For more information about the webinar and to register, please visit: https://community.element14.com/learn/events/c/e/1708.

element14, an Avnet Community, is working with Infineon to host the four-part webinar series, “ModusToolbox™︎ Workshops: From Getting Started to Custom Hardware,” to showcase ModusToolbox™︎ software, a popular Infineon offering used for efficient embedded development.

These webinars, led by Clark Jarvis, Software Technical Marketer at Infineon, will provide an understanding of ModusToolbox™︎ and related embedded development concepts. Each webinar will build in complexity, starting with the basics of using the software and ending with the steps to port the application onto custom hardware.

“I know our Community members will appreciate the opportunity to build upon their knowledge and implementation of the ModusToolbox™︎ software with each webinar,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community. “Though the webinars can be watched as stand-alone videos, they will increase in complexity to provide a holistic overview for our members of this software.”

The first webinar in the series, “ModusToolbox™︎ Workshop 1: Understanding the Concepts” on Wednesday, 20 March at 5 p.m. GMT / 12 p.m. ET will share:

• An introduction to ModusToolbox™︎
• Workflow options for supported IDEs
• How to integrate and manage middleware
• Overviews of API functions available for PSoC microcontrollers

The second webinar in the series, “ModusToolbox™︎ Workshop 2: Getting Started Using CAPSENSE™︎ Capacitive Touch” on Wednesday, 3 April at 5 p.m. GMT / 12 p.m. ET will explore:

• Creation of a ModusToolbox™︎ application
• Integration of CAPSENSE middleware
• Leveraging the CAPSENSE Tuner application to visualize touch performance

The third webinar in the series, “ModusToolbox™︎ Workshop 3: Connecting using Wi-Fi and MQTT” on Wednesday, 17 April at 5 p.m. GMT / 12 p.m. ET will delve into:

• Available ModusToolbox™︎ connectivity examples projects
• Connecting the development board to Wi-Fi
• Leveraging a local MQTT broker to publish and subscribe to messages
• Connecting the application to AWS

The fourth and final webinar of the series, “ModusToolbox™︎ Workshop 4: Porting an Application to Custom Hardware” on Thursday, 2 May 2 at 5 p.m. GMT / 12 p.m. ET will highlight:

• The concept of a ModusToolbox™︎ BSP
• Creation of a custom BSP based on a hardware schematic
• Moving the existing application to the custom hardware

The series will leverage the CY8CPROTO-062-4343W development kit featuring the PSoCTm 62 microcontroller.  Participants desiring to follow along can order the board, however, having a kit is not required to benefit from this workshop.

Participants can test their knowledge on a short quiz and earn a certificate upon completion. The quiz will also be available for those who watch the webinar recordings available On Demand.

To learn more and register for the webinar series, please visit element14 Community.

element14, an Avnet Community, in collaboration with Hammond Manufacturing, is launching the “Experimenting with Extreme Environments” Design Challenge. Ten experimenters will have the opportunity to build projects that are able to withstand extreme environmental conditions, such as drastic temperature changes, dust, humidity and more, by using the provided kit to build an electronics system, house the system in an enclosure and perform experiments to test the enclosure against extreme conditions.

“IoT solutions are increasingly being implemented around the world, which means that electronic devices are frequently being installed in, and exposed to harsh and extreme environments,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community. “We want this challenge to showcase that environmental impact firsthand and educate our members on the importance of safeguarding measures, specifically the use of electronic enclosures.”

Participants will receive a kit with the following components to design their electronic system:

·         Pi4 Compute Module

·         Pi4 Compute Module I/O Board

·         DISPLAY, ALPHANUMERIC, 20X4

·         IP68 Enclosure, clear top

·         RF Antenna, WiFi, BLE, Thread, Wireless Hart, Zigbee

·         Circular Connector, Cable Mount Receptacle, 4 Contacts

·         Circular Connector, Cable Mount Plug, 4 Contacts

·         Circular Connector, Panel Mount Receptacle, 4 Contacts

Participants will be able to test their systems by simulating extreme environmental factors using water sprays, vibrations, dust, impact and other forces that mimic what electronics are exposed to outdoors.

Applications are open until March 8, 2024. Once selected, participants have until May 18, 2024 to conduct their experiments and submit a detailed summary blog post. Participants can earn extra points by publishing up to five extra blog posts by May 17, 2024. Winners will be announced in May 2024.

The grand prize winner will receive a Fluke Thermal Imager as well as a Multicomp Pro Bench Power Supply, the runner-up will receive an Analog Discovery Pro 3000 Series: Portable High Resolution Mixed Signal Oscilloscope, third place will receive a Solder Pot and a Rachet Crimp Tool Kit both from Multicomp Pro and other finishers of the challenge will receive a Tiny ML Kit from Arduino.

To learn more about the Experimenting with Extreme Environments Challenge and to enter the competition, please visit https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/experimenting-with-extreme-environments/.

A recent survey by element14, an Avnet Community, found that even though consumer awareness of the need to use more renewable energy is high, questions remain as to how to decrease the continuing dependence on fossil fuels.

The survey’s single question canvassed community members as to what they saw as the most challenging barrier to increasing the use of renewable energy sources, and the answers were consistent.

The ongoing influence of fossil fuel companies was cited by 23 percent of the survey respondents as the biggest barrier to the adoption of renewable energy sources, followed by the current lack of “good” battery technology (18 percent). However, the barrier presented by battery technology was closely followed by the cost of installing new or retrofitted infrastructure, and renewable energy itself, at 18 and 17 percent respectively.

Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community, Newark, said, “The majority of respondents stated that the long-standing influence of the fossil fuel industry remains one of the primary obstacles to increasing the use of renewable energy sources, followed closely by the costs of building new or retrofitting existing infrastructures.

“Long-term infrastructure cost savings for the use of renewable energy sources can be achieved, but the initial cost of building and maintaining the infrastructure required can be prohibitive. A meaningful return on investment can take a decade to achieve without the time and cost-saving benefits developers can deliver.”

Another respondent pointed out that some renewable energy sources, like wind and solar power, are intermittent, which can again make it costly to put in place measures to counter the occasional power shortfalls and deal with the subsequent business and operational interruptions. This view was shared by 13 percent of all respondents.

A number of survey respondents echoed the sentiment that many decades of fossil-fuel powered infrastructure can be difficult and costly to convert to the use of renewable energy sources. Another 16 percent said that renewable energy sources remain more expensive to produce and consume than fossil fuel energy sources. Despite the environmental consequences, people tend to gravitate toward what costs them less.

Other respondents, however, pointed out that obstacles to renewable energy can vary from region to region. This is often due to differing governmental policies, varying levels of public engagement with environmental initiatives and different levels of planning or investment in relevant infrastructure projects. In fact, 11 percent of survey respondents said that a lack of political will was a prime obstacle to adoption.

Lastly, three percent of survey respondents claim that a great deal of engineering is required to fully embrace the electric vehicle and electric heating industries. EV charging stations, for example, are increasingly available, but many remain idle because they are not able to establish an electricity grid connection due to an overall lack of capacity. So, although the EV industry is growing, the costs associated with it can decrease interest in investment.

Teodorescu concluded, “We all support the need to consume as much energy from renewable sources as possible, but the results of this year’s survey indicate that much work remains to ensure a sustainable, energy efficient future. Fortunately, this be achieved by electrical engineers and developers who are enabling sustainable business, technology and lifestyle opportunities with new ideas and technologies.”

element14, an Avnet Community, in collaboration with Edge Impulse, Renesas, and Avnet, is hosting a free webinar focused on implementing machine learning at the edge using the Avnet RASynBoard.

The webinar aims to provide engineers and developers with insights into the hardware and software enablement available for the Avnet RASynBoard, designed to address complex challenges in machine learning at the edge.

Event Details:

·       Title: Implementing Machine Learning at the Edge with Avnet RASynBoard

·       Date: January 17, 2024

·       Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CT

·       Registration: https://community.element14.com/learn/events/c/e/1695

During the webinar, participants will receive a comprehensive introduction to the Avnet RASynBoard, emphasizing its hardware components and capabilities. The session will include live demonstrations showcasing the RASynBoard in action, allowing attendees to witness its practical application in solving real-world problems with machine learning at the edge.

What attendees will learn by attending:

·       The hardware components in the RASynBoard design

·       The benefits of ML at the Edge

·       Where to find open source application code to leverage for custom ML at the Edge solutions

·       Where to find documentation to help development teams get started with the RASynBoard

·       How to create a ML model in Edge Impulse Studio and deploy the model to the RASynBoard

“We are excited to collaborate with Edge Impulse, Renesas, and Avnet to bring this informative webinar to the engineering and development community,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 community. “The Avnet RASynBoard is a powerful tool, and this webinar will empower attendees to harness its full potential in addressing challenges associated with machine learning at the edge.”

For more information and to register for the free webinar, please visit: https://community.element14.com/learn/events/c/e/1695.

element14, an Avnet community, recently announced the winners from the series of Summer of Green Technology design challenges, which launched alongside multiple educational webinars. Participants had the opportunity to advance their skillsets and experiment with top products all while creating projects that benefit the planet.

“We are always excited to highlight the boundary-pushing projects our Community members generate,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community. “We were blown away by the results from the Summer of Green design challenges and urge our members to continue to keep their green mindsets while tackling future projects.”

Of the many talented participants across three design challenges, below are the grand prize winners selected by the element14 Community team of judges: 

• Summer of Green Technology Design Challenge: In this challenge, participants were encouraged to design a project to help preserve the planet for future generations by using the Seeeduino XIAO R102010328 Arduino Microcontroller Board. Alistair MacDonald, from the UK, created a smart heat reduction system using vent bricks built into walls. The project combined the use of the DHT20 in MicroPython on the Seeeduino XIAO to monitor temperature, and a fan to push air in or out of a building. This project featured insightful blogs, 3D printing, laser cutting and a detailed demonstration.
• Experimenting with Supercapacitors Sponsored by Cornell Dubilier Electronics: In a challenge where Community members got the chance to experiment with Cornell Dubilier's supercapacitors, grand prize winner Gough Lui published an insightful blog series called “What’s Super about Supercapacitors?” which chronicled their experimentation with supercapacitors and discussed their many uses. 
• Project14 Off the Grid Competition: In this design challenge, the two grand prize winners generated projects that could help a person “get off the grid”. Gary Yohe built a tropical beverage cooling mug powered by solar energy while the second grand prize winner, Michael Zurek, created a compact solar-powered temperature sensor.

Winners were judged on a variety of components, including their creativity in experimenting with the provided kits and their blog posts. Grand prizes included a lightweight aluminum folding bike, an indoor hydroponic IoT herb garden, select product kits and more.

The element14 Community supports its community being green year-round with several educational resources, including the Energy Harvesting eBook, which discusses environmentally friendly energy harvesting options, along with Summer of Green Webinars, which are always available to the community to re-visit on-demand.

• Smart Agriculture: Pest Monitoring with AI and Arduino
• Summer of Green: Power Efficient FPGAs and SoCs
• Advanced Motion Control: Precise Position and Torque Control using Encoders and Magnetic Position Sensing
• The Tech Driving Bi-directional EV Charging
• The Benefits of Optocouplers and Industrial Fiber Optics in Energy Storage and Power Converters

To stay updated on the latest design challenges from the element14 Community, please visit https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/?ICID=menubar_challengesandprojects_all.