The awards were presented by Richard Krowoza, Member of the Management Board of NürnbergMesse, and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel Sikora, Chairman of the jury and the embedded world Advisory Board. "We were delighted with the large number of highly innovative entries from embedded system developers in the various categories. And so the jury was once again spoiled for choice. However, we see this as a sign of the innovative strength and dynamism in this industry. The award is Embedded World's thanks and recognition for outstanding players," says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel Sikora.

Ultrahaptics wins in the "Hardware" category

The Embedded Award for the Hardware category. © NurembergFair

With the Stratos Inspire, users can experience haptic sensations with their bare hands simply in the air, without actually having to carry or grasp anything. The new slim, autonomous module is designed to be quickly and easily integrated into existing displays or linked to location-based VR or AR applications. Inside the housing are several tiny ultrasonic speakers that are precisely controlled by algorithms integrated into two central ICs (microcontroller and FPGA). The algorithms control the timing and frequency of the emitted ultrasonic pulses so that the pressure generated by a variety of ultrasonic waves is concentrated at a variety of points within reach of the user.

The unit also includes a Leap Motion camera module that tracks the user's hand movements so that the haptic sensations can be applied directly to the ball of the hand or fingertips.

Hitex GmbH impresses with Aurix SafeTpack in the Software category

Aurix SafeTpack is a comprehensive safety manager for Infineon's second generation of Aurix safety microcontrollers. With further enhanced connectivity, data security and functional safety features, the Aurix microcontroller family is ideal for a wide range of automotive and industrial safety applications. These Aurix controllers include Logic Built-In Self-Tests (LBIST) to complement the cores' lockstep technology. SafeTpack ensures the functional safety of the microcontroller and controls the complex LBIST and other Aurix safety features so that the developer can concentrate fully on the application. SafeTpack also offers further complex safety functions such as program flow monitoring (to ensure that all safety-relevant codes have been executed) or the cyclical control of peripheral devices. It coordinates the execution of startup and cycle tests that ensure the correct operation of the CPU and internal buses. SafeTpack also manages the watchdog system and an optional combined watchdog and power controller (e.g. TLF3558). SafeTpack's modular system makes it easy to adapt and add individual functions. SafeTpack can be used with or without Autosar.

Göpel electronic wins with ChipVorx SI in the Tools category

ChipVorx-SI (Synthetic Instruments) was developed as an innovative technology for the automated use of existing FPGAs as test centers integrated into the design in order to reduce the effort required for design validation and production testing of modern, complex, high-density assemblies. ChipVorx-SI uses the native functions of the FPGA to configure embedded instruments and perform certain test functions. These instruments, known as ChipVorx IP, are automatically generated by the user via an Internet interface using a cloud-supported synthesis process and later loaded and executed fully automatically in the FPGA. With ChipVorx SI, the user can configure complex test instruments without extensive expert knowledge and use them automatically in their application.

Basler receives first prize in the new "Embedded Vision" category

Basler's new Embedded Vision Kit contains the first camera module to use the image signal processor of Qualcomm's Snapdragon SoCs under Linux. This innovative product concept significantly reduces the processor load of the system, freeing up additional computing power for the actual application. Basler's new development kit comprises a complete development platform for demanding embedded vision projects and combines powerful embedded processing and CSI-2 interface technology with standards and functional features of the machine vision world. The dart BCON for MIPI Development Kit contains a dart camera module (5 MP resolution and 60 fps frame rate) with BCON for MIPI interface and a processing board with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 SoC. Thanks to the ready-to-use sample installation and the board support package including all required drivers, integration is just as easy as with any plug-and-play camera interface such as USB 3.0.