Amelia's Weekly Fish Fry

Computations in Memory: Imec’s Analog Inference Accelerator Brings Extreme Energy Efficiency to Neural Network Acceleration

The internet of things takes center stage in this week's Fish Fry podcast! Peter De Backer (imec) joins me to discuss the challenges of developing neural networks for IoT devices and the details of imec’s Analog Inference Accelerator (AnIA).  Also this week, I take a closer look at how a team of researchers from National University of Singapore (NUS) and Japan's Tohoku University (TU) used spin-torque oscillators to harvest and convert wireless radio frequencies into energy.  

 

The World According to Analog: Why Our Digital Futures Depend on Analog

In this week’s Fish Fry podcast, we investigate the analog data conundrum with Tom Doyle and Marcie Weinstein from Aspinity. We take a closer look at the power and data challenges of processing at the edge, what Aspinity’s new analog machine learning IC is all about, and the details of their new evaluation kits that utilize their analogML core. Also this week, I dig into the details of a new organic, metal free, non-toxic battery developed by Texas A&M University. (Spoiler Alert: It can be recycled by breaking it down in acid!)

Work Smarter Not Harder: Optimized Software Pipelines and A New Brain-Like Device Learns by Association

We are talking about working smarter not harder in this week’s Fish Fry podcast! To start things off, I investigate a new brain-like computing device developed by a team of researchers at Northwestern University and the University of Hong Kong. I take a closer look at how this new device is able to simultaneously process and store information and the details of the new synaptic transistor at the heart of this new device. Also this week, Nicu Penisoara (NXP) joins us to discuss the power of optimized software pipelines. We chat about the different steps involved in a software optimization pipeline process and what applications this kind of optimization is best suited for. 

 

Addressing the Gotchas: LCR Embedded Systems and the Case for Intelligent Modularity

What do thermal management, VPX, SOSA and submarine volcanoes have in common? This week’s Fish Fry podcast! First, I take a closer look at a new research project from the University of Leeds that hopes to unlock the mysteries of submarine megaplumes (and the immense energy produced by them) with a fleet of remotely operated vehicles deep in the North East Pacific ocean. Steve Gudknecht (LCR Embedded Systems) also joins me this week to discuss the biggest challenges associated with VPX today and the role SOSA is playing in the evolution of VPX-based systems. 

 

Research meets Realization: InnovationLab Brings Organic Printed Electronics into the Mainstream

I’ve got three words for you: Printed Organic Electronics! My distinguished guest is Dr. Florian Ullrich from InnovationLab. Florian and I are talking all about the unique printing technology behind InnovationLab’s printed electronics, the details of InnovationLab’s collaboration with Evonik to produce the first fully printed rechargeable batteries for flexible printed sensors, and how InnovationLab’s shareholder structure encourages innovation big and small. 

 

Machine Learning Megaphone: Advancements in Voice Technology

This week’s podcast is all about the advancements in voice technology. Laurent Pilati (NXP) joins me to discuss the challenges surrounding machine learning for voice tech, the details of NXP’s Voice Intelligent Technology (VIT), and what benchmark metrics are involved for the qualification for a voice design. Also this week, I take a closer look at a new special glove-like device developed at UCLA that can translate American Sign Language into English spoken speech in real-time through a smartphone app.

For the Love of Design: Kickstarter and Sydney Ahn Mai’s Passion for Purposeful Interactions

Here at Fish Fry, we love Kickstarter! In this week’s Fish Fry podcast, award-winning Kickstarter product designer Sydney Anh Mai joins us to discuss her passion for purposeful interactions, how her experience in the world of dance has set her up for success in high tech, and how she navigates the unique challenges of designing for this global crowdfunding platform. Keeping with our Kickstarter theme, we also check out the Lucon: a connected lamp kit for connecting people.  We take a closer look at how this wifi connected lamp kit, as part of Kickstarter’s popular yearly Make 100 project, brings together one hundred anonymous people through light and touch.

 

The Business Of Making Sensors Smarter: PICMG, MicroSAM, and Bringing Plug and Play into IIoT

In honor of Embedded Tech Trends (one of my favorite conferences every year) open standards take center stage in this week’s Fish Fry podcast. Doug Sandy (Chief Technical Officer, PICMG) joins us to discuss the role that open specifications play in the future of Industrial IoT. Doug and I dig into the details of PICMG’s new MicroSAM and check out how this new microcontroller-agnostic, ultra-small form-factor module will bring plug and play into the sensor domain. 

Full Stack Future Proofing: How LEVL is Changing the Device Identity Game

Step right up ladies and gentlemen! We’ve got all sorts of EE fun lined up for this week’s Fish Fry podcast. Tim Colleran (LEVL) joins us to discuss LEVL-ID, what sets this device identity technology apart from MAC randomization, and why full stack device Intelligence is key to its success. Also this week, we check out a new research study from Georgetown University that contends that mirroring human visual learning will be key to helping AI software to think more like a human brain. 

 

Brain-a-Palooza! Advancements in Brain-Hand Communication and Your Brain on Code

In our first Fish Fry podcast of 2021, we sit down with Dr. Scott Frey (University of Missouri) and chat about the challenges and newest advancements in brain-hand communication. We take a closer look at how Dr. Frey and his team are helping to personalize recovery from ‘lost’ limbs and the details of a new wireless device that could help people with severe upper limb injuries live better lives. Keeping with our brain-related theme this week, we also investigate a recent study from MIT that reveals that reading computer code is a brain beast of its own and does not precisely replicate the cognitive demands of language or math.