FEATURE SENSORS & SENSING SYSTEMS 2025 represents a checkpoint for many global manufacturing and


sustainability goals. But how close are we to meeting them? Ross Turnbull, director of business development and product engineering at Swindon


Silicon Systems, investigates the progress made thus far and how a better connected, custom IC-driven world, may enable future advancement


ADVANCING SENSOR INNOVATION WITH ASIC TECHNOLOGY


projected to experience significant development by this time. With this year fast-approaching, it’s worth taking a look at the state of key targets, the hurdles still ahead and the advanced technologies driving future progress.


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SWITCHING TO EVS One of the most ambitious goals for the next decade concerns the transition to EVs. However, limited battery range, inadequate charging infrastructure and supply chain bottlenecks for critical materials like lithium are slowing progress. For instance, Toyota recently cut its annual output target of 1.5 million EVs by 2026 down by a third; and Volvo, once committed to becoming fully electric by 2030, now anticipates hybrids could still constitute 10% of its output by this date. Despite this, according to the Global Electric


Vehicle Tracker, fully electric vehicles accounted for one in seven cars sold worldwide in mid-2024. The growing popularity of EVs is due in part to advancements in battery technology and the integration of advanced sensors, which enable features such as tyre pressure monitoring, optimised battery management and assisted braking. Governments across the globe have also


incentivised the shift with subsidies and investments in charging infrastructure. In the UK, the switch to EVs is backed by the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate that became law in January 2024. The ZEV mandate sets clear targets to ensure that, by 2035, all new cars and vans sold are zero emission vehicles.


A GREENER FUTURE Achieving carbon neutrality also stands out as one of the defining goals of the 21st century. A decade ago, the Paris Agreement established a critical goal to limit global warming to well below 2˚C, preferably to 1.5˚C, above pre-industrial levels. However, the first global stocktake of the Paris Agreement, conducted at COP28 in 2023, revealed that the world is not on target to meet


48 DESIGN SOLUTIONS FEBRUARY 2025


025 has frequently been cited as a landmark year, with industries such as electric vehicles (EVs) and artificial intelligence (AI)


automation of repetitive tasks to dynamic problem-solving. Similarly, sensor-enabled digital twins – virtual replicas of physical systems – are anticipated to accelerate as a tool for predictive maintenance and system optimisation. AI-driven energy management solutions are also emerging as key innovations, helping factories lower their carbon footprints while improving efficiency. By combining cutting-edge technology with


sustainable practices, Industry 4.0 will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of industrial efficiency and environmental responsibility.


MAKING SENSORS SMARTER As we strive to meet exacting objectives for sustainability and industrial innovation, sensors play an increasingly critical role. However, to meet the demands of fast-paced, high-precision applications, the choice of underlying hardware for sensor interfaces is paramount. Application Specific ICs (ASICs)


this goal. One key benchmark outlined in the agreement was for global carbon emissions to peak by 2025, but recent data shows that fossil fuel emissions continue to rise. At COP29 in Baku, Prime Minister Keir


Starmer announced an ambitious update to the UK’s previous NDC, committing to an 81% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to 1990 levels. Transitioning towards renewable energy, as outlined in the Great British Energy Bill, is central to achieving this goal.


SMARTER MANUFACTURING Also key to meeting sustainability targets is the integration of smarter, more sustainable manufacturing processes. In fact many large corporations have widely embraced Industry 4.0. For instance, BMW now uses AI-controlled robots to automate entire car production processes, improving both efficiency and precision. Though smaller enterprises still struggle to integrate these advanced systems due to high upfront costs, the widespread interest in smart manufacturing is clear. With the potential for generative AI and machine learning to introduce decision-making, robotics are poised to advance beyond


stand out as the superior choice for advanced sensor-based applications, offering advantages that standard ICs simply cannot match. While standard ICs are designed for general-purpose use, ASICs are custom engineered to meet specific application needs. This approach allows for precise functionality, from signal conditioning to advanced communication interfaces, delivering unmatched efficiency. ASICs from Swindon Silicon Systems


combine analogue and digital capabilities into a single, mixed-signal, design. This seamless integration is essential for modern sensors, enabling features such as real-time feedback for predictive systems and high-precision data acquisition for autonomous machines. By consolidating multiple components


into one compact chip, ASICs also minimise size and complexity, making them ideal for space-constrained and embedded applications. Whether it’s monitoring battery health in electric vehicles or providing real-time feedback in automated manufacturing, ASICs ensure sensors deliver the speed and accuracy that advanced systems require. Advancements in sensor-based systems,


powered by ASICs, will be critical for developing safer, more efficient technologies in key industries such as automotive and manufacturing. As we look to 2025 and beyond, ASICs will be key to shaping a connected and sustainable world.


Swindon Silicon Systems T: 01793 649400 www.swindonsilicon.com


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