Cables & connectors
AN INTERCONNECT PLATFORM DESIGNED TO SOLVE MANUFACTURING AND PACKAGING CHALLENGES
M
olex has unveiled MiniMix Hybrid Power and Signal Connectors, a purpose-built interconnect platform designed to solve manufacturing and packaging challenges in next- generation humanoid robotics, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and advanced industrial automation systems. Combining 15.0A power and high-speed Ethernet communication within a single, ultra- compact interface, MiniMix streamlines installation in space-constrained joints, actuators and robotic mechanisms, reducing connector count, cabling complexity and assembly effort.
“Humanoid robot manufacturers are rapidly moving from prototype builds to commercial mass production, but traditional joint wiring methods create major manufacturing bottlenecks,” says Brian Hauge, president and SVP, Consumer and Commercial Solutions, Molex. “MiniMix replaces tedious manual assembly with an integrated solution for power and signal transmission, freeing robotics designers to build sleeker, lighter and more responsive autonomous systems at scale.”
OVERCOMING MANUFACTURING OBSTACLES
Integrating power and signal connectivity into increasingly compact joints, actuators and articulated mechanisms without sacrificing performance is a major hurdle for the robotics industry. Design engineers face severe space and assembly constraints in multi-axis articulated joints—such as wrists, elbows, knees, ankles and neck assemblies—where actuator motion systems must route high power and high-speed control data through extremely tight channels.
Traditional approaches using separate power and signal connectors are typically too bulky and heavy to fit in these confined spaces, forcing manufacturers to thread bare wires manually and hand-solder terminals during final assembly, which introduces potential failure points and slows production output.
The Molex MiniMix Hybrid Power and Signal Connectors resolve these manufacturing challenges by consolidating up to 15.0A power contacts and 1Gbps 1000BASE-T1 Ethernet communication into a single integrated interface. Featuring an ultra-compact 5.65mm routing profile, MiniMix is the industry’s smallest hybrid connector, requiring up to 50 per cent less routing area than alternative options. This enables pre-terminated cable assemblies to pass smoothly through narrow internal actuator channels, articulated limbs, robotic joints and end-effectors. Offered in vertical and right-angle mating orientations, the Molex MiniMix Hybrid Power and Signal Connectors can accommodate diverse layout requirements while optimising space utilisation and reducing cable strain. Furthermore, its robust, vibration-resistant mechanical design withstands continuous motion and constant flexing, ensuring reliable electrical performance and long- term durability across repeated movement cycles.
PURPOSE-BUILT FOR NEXT-GEN ROBOTS The Molex MiniMix Hybrid Power and Signal Connectors offer wire-to-board connector and cable assembly solutions that are ideally suited for evolving robotic applications where space, weight and reliability are crucial. According to a 2026 supply chain analysis by McKinsey & Company, joint actuator systems represent 40 to 60 per cent of a humanoid robot’s total bill of materials (BOM), intensifying requirements to optimise sub-assembly space and eliminate manual cabling labor. As robots scale to include approximately 50 articulated joint actuators, integrated connectivity solutions like the Molex MiniMix Hybrid Power and Signal
Connectors will play a pivotal role in facilitating plug-and-play assembly, reducing harness weight and minimising potential failure points across next- generation humanoid robotic architectures. Samples and functional evaluation assemblies of the Molex MiniMix Hybrid Power and Signal Connector family are available now for customer design-in and joint evaluation, with full commercial production scaling slated for late 2026.
MOLEX CONNECTS HUMANOID ROBOTIC SYSTEMS
The MiniMix Hybrid Power and Signal Connectors are the latest Molex solution to meet the demands of next-gen robots, AMRs and advanced industrial automation systems. Molex delivers end-to-end connectivity across Humanoid Robotic Systems, from the high-density Mirror Mezz mezzanine connectors—the primary high-speed interface powering industry-standard AI compute platforms such as the NVIDIA Jetson Thor Module—to ultra- miniature Quad-Row board-to-board connectors and High-Speed FAKRA-Mini (HFM) Interconnect System for spatial vision, LiDAR and tactile sensor arrays. By pairing MiniMix connectors with high-current Mega-Fit Connectors and EXTreme Ten60 High-Power Connectors, Molex provides robotics OEMs with a complete, production- ready hardware foundation that bridges central AI processing, sensory perception and multi-axis mechanical motion.
Molex
www.molex.com
20
September 2026 Instrumentation Monthly
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
