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FEATURE AI IN DESIGN & MANUFACTURING The role of ASICS In AI-e n


The BMW Group’s deployment of AI-enabled humanoid robots in automotive production highlights the shift towards physical AI in manufacturing environments. Ross Turnbull, director of business


development at swindon silicon systems, explains how humanoid robotics is evolving and why ASICs are critical for reliable real-world performance


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ccording to the International Federation of Robotics, 542,000 industrial robots were


installed globally in 2024, bringing the total number of operational units to 4.66 million. Within this, humanoid robotics remains an emerging segment, with Goldman Sachs projecting the sector to reach around USD 38 billion by 2035 as development moves from pilot systems towards industrial deployment. Humanoid robots are designed


with human-like form factors that allow operation in environments built for people, and are designed for adaptability in dynamic environments where workflows are not fully structured. In manufacturing, they are used


for repetitive assembly, material handling, inspection and support tasks. In automotive production, humanoid platforms operating alongside human workers to support precision-driven tasks while improving production flexibility.


dIgItAl IntellIgenCe Physical AI combines digital intelligence with physical systems that perceive, decide and act within real-world environments. Performance


delivering edge ai-driven solutions


Lantronix is collaborating with Aerora to deliver Edge AI-driven solutions that significantly accelerate advancements in drones, robotics and surveillance applications, delivered by Aerora’s OEM platform for AI-Powered Visual Navigation. Aerora’s solution is supported by Lantronix’s Open-Q System-on-Module (SoM), powered by


Qualcomm Technologies chipsets, which is said to provide unparalleled processing capabilities for AI-driven situational awareness, advanced computational imaging and real-time decision-making. According to the company, with Open-Q SOMs, developers can confidently build AI-powered


solutions while knowing they are backed by industry-leading embedded compute technologies. As part of the integrated solution, Aerora has incorporated the Teledyne FLIR Hadron 640R module


and Prism software, enabling advanced thermal and RGB imaging capabilities. OEMs of drones, robotics and surveillance solutions face increasing pressure to shorten development timelines while maintaining high standards for imaging and control systems. New Edge AI technologies, such as this solution, can help reduce or eliminate engineering overhead and shorten time-to-market. Aerora’s full-stack solution includes pre-integration of the camera, gimbal, gimbal motors, housing,


telemetry and interface while featuring 4K video stream simultaneously with high-resolution thermal video. The company is working with multiple OEM drone manufacturers, integrating its platform of an integrated camera + gimble solution, which helps meet the industry’s technological requirements while ensuring NDAA compliance. “Lantronix’s collaboration with Aerora promises to advance the development of AI-powered drones


and other intelligent applications, equipping developers with cutting-edge tools from leading embedded compute technologies,” said Saleel Awsare, CEO and president of Lantronix. “This breakthrough in advanced AI-driven solutions delivers a transformative impact, opening doors to new opportunities in both private and government sectors.”


lantronix 2 design solutions JUNE 2026 0 www.lantronix.com


depends on how effectively computational output is translated into physical execution. Humanoid robots process large volumes of


sensor data in real time while maintaining precise motion control. This introduces constraints including signal noise, latency, mechanical variation and environmental interference. Even small reductions in signal integrity directly impact stability and accuracy in repetitive operations. AI defines decision making, but execution


depends on the quality of underlying electronics. Industrial environments introduce vibration, electrical noise and temperature variation, which affect signal quality and system response. As humanoid systems move from pilot


deployment to continuous operation, these constraints significantly increase. Performance must remain consistent across thousands of cycles under variable conditions without degradation in precision or control stability. Humanoid operation depends on the interaction


between sensing, processing and actuation. Sensors capture environmental data, processing systems interpret it and control systems execute movement. Any disruption across this chain introduces cumulative error in timing and motion accuracy. Signal conditioning and real-time processing


therefore define system stability. Latency and noise become direct limiting factors in whether performance can be sustained at scale.


ASICs AS the IntegrAtIon lAyer Application specific integrated circuits


www.designsolutionsmag.co.uk


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