TDK Corporation and LG Innotek have formed a strategic partnership to jointly develop vision and haptic sensor modules for humanoid robots and other physical AI applications. The collaboration pairs LG Innotek’s optical and ultra-precision module design expertise with TDK’s sensor portfolio, including InvenSense inertial and position sensors and microphones, with the goal of integrating LG Innotek modules to serve as the “eyes” and “skin” of robots. The companies plan to launch a next generation vision sensing module offering expanded functionality and significantly improved recognition performance compared to existing solutions, targeting the fast growing physical AI and robotics sector.

Associated Research, a brand of Ikonix USA, is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2026, marking nine decades in electrical safety compliance testing. Founded in 1934 by engineer James Inman as the Chicago Meter & Repair Laboratory, the company was renamed Associated Research in 1936; its defining early innovation, the 1939 Vibrotest insulation resistance tester, was adopted by the U.S. Navy during World War II. Leadership later exited the utility testing business to focus exclusively on electrical safety compliance. Today, under the Ikonix umbrella, Associated Research serves the medical device, EV, industrial automation, and semiconductor markets as it enters its tenth decade.

Chroma Systems Solutions announced its participation in NASA’s Artemis II mission using its Chroma 17020 Battery Test System to evaluate the performance, reliability, and safety of the Orion crew capsule’s battery systems. The system tested components tied directly to crew safety and was integrated into the launch tower to support validation up to final countdown. Orion relies on high performance lithium ion batteries for communication, navigation, and propulsion, particularly during eclipse periods when solar charging is unavailable. “Supporting NASA’s Artemis II mission underscores our commitment to delivering high reliability testing solutions for the world’s most demanding applications,” said Fred Sabatine, CEO of Chroma Systems Solutions.

Empower RF Systems has released its Model 1240, a compact, high performance RF amplifier module delivering a guaranteed minimum of 200 watts across the 900 to 1700 MHz frequency range. Built on GaN transistor technology as a full gain smart module, it integrates control and monitoring features for consistent RF performance, and its compact, high power density form factor suits mobile, airborne, shipboard, and ground based defense platforms. The 900 to 1700 MHz coverage aligns with bands used in cellular communications, GNSS navigation, and drone command and telemetry links, giving system designers and integrators a new high power option for C-UAS and EW system design.