Magazine Articles - SAE Mobilus
Scientists used a “smart” shirt equipped with an electrocardiogram to track participants’ heart-rate recovery after exercise and developed a tool for analyzing the data to predict those at higher or lower risk of heart-related ailments.
It all started when Owen Kent and Todd Roberts became roommates at the University of California Berkeley. Owen has muscular dystrophy and had recently acquired a robotic arm, which he noticed he was using to do range of motion. Todd had come to Berkeley to study mechanical engineering with a focus on biomechanics, and both were enrolled in Designing for the Human Body, a biomechanics course taught by Mechanical Engineering Professor Grace O’Connell.
One of the biggest goals for companies in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) is developing “agentic” systems. These metaphorical agents can perform tasks without a guiding human hand. This parallels the goals of the emerging urban air mobility industry, which hopes to bring autonomous flying vehicles to cities around the world. One company wants to do both and got a head start with some help from NASA.
Engineers have developed a next-generation wearable system that enables people to control machines using everyday gestures — even while running, riding in a car, or floating on turbulent ocean waves.
Bioelectronics, such as implantable health monitors or devices that stimulate brain cells, are not as soft as the surrounding tissues due to their metal electronic circuits. A team of scientists has developed a soft polymer hydrogel that can conduct electricity as well as metal can. As the material is both flexible and soft, it is more compatible with sensitive tissues. This finding has the potential for a large number of applications, for example, in biocompatible sensors and in wound healing.
EPFL researchers have engineered a fiber-based electronic sensor that remains functional even when stretched to over 10 times its original length. The device holds promise for smart textiles, physical rehabilitation devices, and soft robotics.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken a substantial step in its digital modernization strategy with the deployment of agentic artificial intelligence capabilities across all agency employee groups. The move represents an expansion of the agency’s internal AI tools, intended to streamline complex, multi-step processes that support regulatory science, product review, and compliance activities. The deployment strengthens the FDA’s ongoing effort to embed structured, secure, and transparent AI systems into daily workflows, building on the rapid adoption of the LLM-based tool Elsa earlier this year.
University of Texas at Dallas researchers have developed biosensor technology that when combined with artificial intelligence (AI) shows promise for detecting lung cancer through breath analysis.
Advanced Navigation Sydney, Australia
High-power fiber lasers have become increasingly indispensable tools in automotive manufacturing over the past two decades. They are now widely deployed in welding and brazing applications for body-in-white, powertrains, engine components, and more.
Spinoff is NASA’s annual publication featuring successfully commercialized NASA technology. This commercialization has contributed to the development of products and services in the fields of health and medicine, consumer goods, transportation, public safety, computer technology, and environmental resources.
Endoscopic imaging system development requires coordination between various engineering disciplines, especially for optical illumination and imaging engines, particularly when adding fluorescence imaging capabilities. The optical illumination and imaging engines set the foundation for building intuitive and effective imaging products around and become even more critical when adding fluorescence imaging (FI) capabilities to user needs.
Without reliability and signal integrity, aerospace communications risk severe signal degradation and reduced security, posing risks to both personnel and mission-critical data. These challenges are particularly critical for applications that depend on military aircraft, satellite communications, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). As global demand for real-time data continues to surge, communication infrastructure requires regular maintenance and upgrades to maintain secure and reliable performance.
EPFL researchers have invented a remarkably small and ultraflexible neurovascular microcatheter. Powered by blood flow, it can safely navigate the most intricately branched arteries in a matter of seconds.
Researchers have pioneered a 3D printing method that grows metals and ceramics inside a water-based gel, resulting in exceptionally dense, yet intricate constructions for next-generation biomedical technologies.
Since the advent of laser-based imaging techniques in the early 2000s, image acquisition has faced a fundamental challenge: the imaging speed and signal averaging was directly tied to the firing rate of the laser. Because a minimum of one laser pulse generates a single data point, traditional flashlamp-based lasers operating at relatively low repetition rates were constrained in their ability to capture fine spatial or temporal detail quickly. For applications requiring real-time analysis or high-resolution mapping, these limitations often reduced the practicality of otherwise powerful imaging technologies.
MD&M West, an MD&M Event February 3–5, 2026 Anaheim Convention Center – Anaheim, CA
Current world conflicts have proven that drones are now indispensable tools in modern warfare. Whether for reconnaissance, loitering munitions, or asymmetric tactics that exploit vulnerabilities in conventional defenses, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are redefining the rules of engagement.
In complete darkness, through smoke, glare and fog, thermal infrared (IR) imaging is indispensable for modern defense and autonomous systems. Enabling autonomous vehicles (AVs) to detect pedestrians or threats at night or providing critical sensing capabilities for unmanned aerial vehicles and counter-UAS operations, thermal imaging has become the essential “eyes” when visible camera systems fail.
In neurology, a quiet crisis has emerged: the supply of specialists can no longer meet the rising demand for diagnostic interpretation.
Researchers are exploring new ways to utilize microwave technology in monitoring and assessing health conditions. The results of experiments conducted with realistic models are promising. Bras that detect breast cancer, leg sleeves that identify blood clots, and a helmet that monitors the effects of radiation therapy offer a glimpse into what future healthcare might look like.
When Thierry Piéton stepped into the role of executive vice president and chief financial officer of Medtronic earlier this year, he entered one of the largest and most complex organizations in the medical technology industry. Yet, despite that complexity and the company’s recent years of uneven performance, Piéton says he came in with conviction. Medtronic, in his view, is sitting on the edge of a long-awaited inflection point.
Cornell researchers and collaborators have developed a neural implant so small that it can rest on a grain of salt, yet it can wirelessly transmit brain activity data in a living animal for more than a year.
Trying to document how single brain cells participate in networks that govern behavior is a daunting task. Brain probes called Neuropixels, which feature high-density silicon arrays, have enabled scientists to collect electrophysiological data of this nature from a variety of animals. These include fish, reptiles, rodents, and primates, as well as humans.
Researchers combined mussel adhesive protein with decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) to develop a composite hemostatic sponge that offers both strong tissue adhesion and biocompatible biodegradability.
A low-cost, portable biosensor can quickly identify a protein whose altered levels are associated with psychiatric disorders, such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. When it becomes commercially available in the future, it may contribute to early detection, which is essential for treating and monitoring patients’ clinical conditions.
Researchers from Harbin Institute of Technology and their collaborators have developed a multifunctional polyelectrolyte hydrogel reinforced with aramid nanofibers (ANFs) and MXene nanosheets, achieving outstanding performance in absorption-dominated electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and wearable sensing. This innovative hydrogel addresses the long-standing challenge of balancing electrical conductivity and effective EMI absorption in flexible electronic materials. The research was published in the journal Nano-Micro Letters. 1
Augustine's Law predicts “In the year 2054, the entire defense budget of the United States will purchase just one aircraft. This aircraft will have to be shared by the Air Force and Navy three days each per week except for leap year, when it will be made available to the Marines for the extra day.” While the world is not on course for the $800 billion aircraft as Augustine predicted, the aerospace & defense industry must take steps to bring new technology to the battlefield without the $800 billion price tag. The development of robotic aircraft or drones is one way to deliver new capability faster for less cost.
Modern warfare is defined as much by data dominance as by maneuver. From satellite-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms to dismounted soldiers' handheld radios, operational success depends on the ability to move, process, and act on digital information in real time. Yet this dependence introduces a critical vulnerability: as the force becomes more data-centric, it becomes more susceptible to disconnection, jamming, and cyber denial. In disconnected, intermittent, and limited (DIL) environments - where communications are degraded by terrain, adversarial interference, or limited infrastructure - traditional network architectures falter. Centralized command nodes and linear data pipelines cannot sustain the agility or resilience required at the tactical edge. The solution is a new design paradigm - one that integrates ruggedized hardware, edge computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and hybrid tactical-cloud architectures into a distributed, adaptive
As advanced technologies reshape the medical device landscape, the demands placed on contract manufacturers are evolving. Today’s partners are expected to do more than deliver components — they must anticipate disruptions, adapt quickly, and bring a level of technical and strategic depth that supports faster development without compromising quality.
Winners of the 13th edition of the Altair Enlighten Awards, presented in association with the Center for Automotive Research, were recognized during a ceremony at the CAR Management Briefing Seminars in Detroit. The awards not only acknowledged the automotive industry's best initiatives to reduce vehicle weight and meet emissions targets, but also considered other parameters such as cost reduction, part count reduction and applicability to other vehicle programs. “Starting in the 2000s, the automotive industry wasn't really that interested in optimization. Weight was an outcome of achieving performance. Seeing the rise of these digital technologies over two decades has been such a thrill,” Royston Jones, CTO of Altair Product Design and senior VP for automotive, said to kick off the event. “I'd say now we're really through the gate, particularly over the last five years where globally there's such pressure to develop products quickly. AI has really helped with technology such as
A look at E/E complexity at the so-called endpoints, where microcontrollers play a crucial role. Autonomous driving is often seen as just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to public perception of how artificial intelligence has been implemented in vehicles. However, this perspective often overshadows a much deeper, less visible transformation: AI's integration into the vehicle's E/E (Electrical/Electronic) architecture. This complex and intricate system encompasses far more than the capabilities for autonomous driving. It includes sensors that collect data, microcontrollers that process data in real-time and actuators that control safety-critical automotive functions.
Researchers at the German Aerospace Center recently tested a quantum sensor in-flight on a Dornier 228 research aircraft. German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany It is not easy to transmit individual photons precisely from an aircraft, capture them in a ground station and detect them successfully. Researchers have, however, now managed to do exactly that. They have even measured, multiple times, various quantum channels between an aircraft and a ground station, sent photons to an ion trap and tested technologies for quantum key distribution (QKD). The flight experiment in question took place as part of the QuNET initiative, aimed at developing quantum-secure communication. Using photons - particles of light - it is possible to generate quantum encryption keys, which will make future communication eavesdrop-proof. The technologies behind this are also paving the way for a future quantum internet, connecting quantum computers with one another.
Toyota's big claim for its new sixth-generation 2026 RAV4 is that the SUV is now“ 100% electrified.” That's true, as Obi-wan once said, from a certain point of view. As it recently did with the Camry, the automaker has eliminated an ICE-only powertrain from the list of options, giving drivers the choice between a gas-electric hybrid or a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The hybrids use Toyota's fifth-generation hybrid system, which uses a 2.5-L 4-cylinder aluminum Atkinson cycle engine that produces 163 lb-ft and up to 226 hp (169 kW) in FWD configuration, 236 hp (176 kW) in AWD. Seven trim levels - LE, XLE Premium (which Toyota expects to be the volume trim), Limited, SE, XSE and Woodland - can be had with the hybrid powertrain, while the driving-focused GR Sport version can only be had as a PHEV. The plug-in option is available on the SE, XSE and Woodland. These new RAV4s use Toyota's sixth-generation PHEV system, which produces 324 hp (242 kW) and up to 172 lb-ft So, yes, the entire line-up
A General Motors battery executive told an audience at the Battery Show North America audience Tuesday that the company would deploy a lithium manganese-rich (LMR) battery by 2028 in some of its heavier vehicles. Kurt Kelty, GM's vice president for battery propulsion and sustainability, was giving a keynote address when he said LMR is “a game changing chemistry for electric trucks and full-size SUVs.”
One of the biggest splashes at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich was the debut of the technology-packed iX3, the first of the BMW Neue Klasse line. Inside its shapely contours lie four Superbrains, including the Heart of Joy. These units represent the hometown OEM's big bet on zonal architecture - and on Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. as a co-development partner. That's because Qualcomm co-developed the Snapdragon Ride AD software stack in the Heart of Joy, which uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride Pilot automated driving system, with BMW. The version of Ride Pilot that made its global debut in the iX3 uses a newly developed Snapdragon Ride AD software stack that runs on the Snapdragon Ride Platform.
A panel of four battery testing experts from different fields agreed that large scale fire testing, as called for in a proposed update to testing standard UL 9540A, could help address confusion among consumers, battery companies and insurers. Moderated by LaTanya Schwalb, principal engineer for energy and industrial automation at UL Solutions, the panel discussion held at the Battery Show North America underscored the need for a current standard and for standards to adapt more quickly to new battery chemistries and technologies.
Engineers looking for a new way to simulate battery cells as they develop new battery management systems might be interested in the latest PXI battery simulator modules from Pickering Interfaces. The new single-slot simulators can be 2- or 4-channel and are capable of supplying up to 8 volts and 5 Amps per channel. and the ground (1000V isolation) and, as a result, series connections can simulate batteries in a stacked architecture. The company said the channels are fully isolated from each other (750V isolation channel to channel). The names of the new modules - 41-754 (PXI) and 43-754 (PXIe) - give away one of Pickering's attitudes when it comes to introducing new products: don't abandon the old stuff.
Bosch Rexroth displayed new battery automation solutions at The Battery Show 2025 in Detroit in October, focusing on making batteries in a more efficient manner. The company's customizable conveyance system can now add the ctrlX Flow HS linear motion system and the ctrlX Flow 6D contactless transport system to move components, promising new options in an era when everyone and their suppliers are looking for ways to make better EVs. Andreas Letsch, director of the Battery Factory Automation Center of Competence at Bosch Rexroth AG, told SAE Media that the new additions can make a modern battery plant more efficient as its footprint shrinks. Used with the company's Cartesian multi-axis systems, the new systems offer improved ways to position components and handle tasks. The multi-axis cobots can effectively shift workspace vertically - they need less floor space than traditional 6-axis robot arms - providing another important factor in an efficient facility.
In the demanding field of automotive crash testing, imaging systems face a dual challenge: They must survive extreme forces while delivering precise, distortion-free footage for post-test analysis. High-speed cameras, often priced in the tens of thousands of dollars, are essential for documenting the dynamics of impact. But the performance of these systems depends heavily on the optics in front of them.
AFP can build complex, lightweight structures, but cost concerns keep its use in the automotive industry to a minimum. For now, anyway. Ramy Harik, a Fulbright alumnus and director of the Clemson Composites Center, is pushing the boundaries of manufacturing with his latest book, Automated Fiber Placement: Status, Challenges, and Evolution coauthored with Alex Brasington. The book, published by SAE in June of 2025, serves as a comprehensive guide to automated fiber placement (AFP), a cutting-edge technology crucial for building complex, lightweight structures in the aerospace and automotive industries. The book aims to offer a thorough understanding of AFP's transformative potential for students, engineers, and industry professionals. The book synthesizes a decade of research, explaining how AFP supports the rise of advanced air mobility and sustainable structures for commercial and defense aircraft, space habitats, and beyond.
Horse Powertrain revealed more information about its all-in-one hybrid powertrain, the Future Hybrid System, at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich in September. The new details involve a 1.5-L, four-cylinder unit with integrated engine, motor, and transmission that was designed to replace an EV's front electric drive module to convert that EV into a hybrid, PHEV, or range-extended EV. Horse Powertrain revealed two variants of the Future Hybrid System (FHS) in Munich. The first, called Performance, is 740 mm (29 in) wide and uses two motors in a P1 + P3 configuration, with one each on the engine output and transmission output shafts. The second, the Ultra-Compact, is 650 mm (26 in) wide and is designed to sit between the engine and transmission. The 1.5-L engine, a dedicated hybrid transmission, and a full suite of power electronics for hybrid use are used in both versions. The company said an even smaller version - by 70 mm (3 in) - with three cylinders is being investigated.
One of the biggest splashes at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich was the debut of the technology-packed iX3, the first of the BMW Neue Klasse line. Inside its shapely contours lie four Superbrains, including the Heart of Joy. These units represent the hometown OEM's big bet on zonal architecture - and on Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. as a co-development partner. That's because Qualcomm co-developed the Snapdragon Ride AD software stack in the Heart of Joy, which uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride Pilot automated driving system, with BMW. The version of Ride Pilot that made its global debut in the iX3 uses a newly developed Snapdragon Ride AD software stack that runs on the Snapdragon Ride Platform.
Tal Sholklapper, cofounder and CEO of Voltaiq, a battery analytics company, was bold on the eve of 2024's Battery Show that American industry had about five years to catch China in technology and manufacturing capability if it wanted to be competitive in the global EV and EV battery space. A year later, he sat down with us for episode No. 2 of the SAE Automotive Engineering Podcast. Following are excerpts of that.
Researchers from Brazil are collaborating with a team at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to develop new methods for controlling heat spikes generated by electric aircraft during the takeoff phase of flight. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL Researchers at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and Brazil's Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA) will combine forces on one of the main challenges of electric aircraft - controlling the heat spikes they generate at takeoff. The collaboration is supported by a $450,000 National Science Foundation International Research Experiences for Students (NSF IRES) grant.
The U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) achieved a major milestone during a demonstration event in August, showcasing the Joint Antenna Marketplace (JAM) and successfully transferring the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) Transmit/Receive Enterprise (TREx) Service from a research and development project into an SSC operational prototype. During the demonstration, the team demonstrated the use of commercial antennas for real-time contacts between a Space Development Agency's (SDA) satellite operations center and their Tranche 0 satellites using JAM which leveraged the newly integrated TREx system.
Items per page:
50
1 – 50 of 26299