June Hardware Roundup: Liquid Motors & Cell Tower Balloons

Our June Hardware Roundup video host is Kat, a Software Engineer here at Fictiv! Our highlights this month include cell tower balloons, unique robotic designs, and tariff tension updates.

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Hardware Knowledge

• The time-intensive CNC process behind Apple’s new Mac Pro grille design. + End-of-life AirPod impact.
• Rivian’s battery system can transition to stationary energy storage at the end of the vehicle’s life. Its “second-life batteries” will be used in a microgrid project in Puerto Rico.
• Falco’s new liquid-cooled electric motor design is designed to increase e-bike power. + A puncture-proof airless wheel design.
• An in-depth look at the hierarchy and communication patterns of swarm drones. + How Loon’s cell tower balloons formed a mesh network in the air above Peru.
• Build-A-Bot: How are robotic designers developing materials that combine the durability of common robots with the gentleness of a soft robot? Here’s how to build the right touch.
• These kinetic mirrors use motion and laser sensors to “see” the person standing in front.
• Teardown Corner: See how the iRobot Braava Robot Mop navigates your rugged household environment. Check out our Electric Shaver Showdown to see which shaver has a motor not commonly found in consumer electronics.

Industry News

• As semiconductor companies gain traction in the automotive industry, they have to keep up with stringent quality requirements. + How consumers are responding to advanced automotive assistance systems.
• How the cost of making and launching satellites has caused new space businesses to emerge. + False SpaceX test reports and part certifications.
• A possible 25% import tax on nearly all consumer goods imported from China has put companies in crisis mode. Apple may be preparing to move 15-30% of its production capacity to Southeast Asia.
• Earth metal demand vs. supply when creating lithium batteries for a low carbon future. + How rare earth metals play into the trade war.
• Amazon cloned a neighborhood to have delivery robot Scout test navigation in real and simulated environments. New robotic technology in Amazon sortation centers can reduce missed sorts by 50% compared to other solutions.

Events + Community

Events:

• Discuss complex problems with practical robotics at a coffee meetup in Pasadena on June 28.
• July’s SF Hardware Happy Hour will be on Tuesday, July 9.

Jobs:

• Check out product, design, and hardware engineering roles at Honeywell and Waymo.
• We have open roles across all departments here at Fictiv.

For the Love of Ice Cream

To welcome everyone into summer, here’s a GIF of how ice cream sandwiches are made.

See you next month!