electronica 2024: The Future of Innovation

Farnell

At electronicaFair 2024 in Munich, Farnell Electronics proudly positioned itself at the forefront of technological innovation, delivering an unparalleled showcase of engineering excellence. Located in Avnet City, Hall B5, Stand 103, our stand provided a platform for engineers, designers, and industry professionals to explore the latest advancements in electronic components, systems, and solutions. From revolutionary eMobility technologies to next-generation industrial automation systems, Farnell brought together a comprehensive suite of products and solutions designed to solve real-world challenges.

This year’s focus was clear: enabling engineers to accelerate innovation and drive the future of industrial and consumer technologies.

Spotlight on Raspberry Pi

One of the major highlights of the event was Farnell’s strong partnership with Raspberry Pi, underscored by the presence of Eben Upton, the founder and CEO of Raspberry Pi. His much-anticipated “meet and greet” session drew significant crowds, offering attendees a sneak peek into the newly launched Compute Module 5, the versatile Raspberry Pi 5, and the latest Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ and AI Camera.

These devices are redefining what’s possible in industrial design, AI-powered applications, and prototyping, delivering unprecedented performance and flexibility to engineers. From enabling advanced robotics to supporting edge AI projects, the possibilities demonstrated left attendees inspired. The session underscored Farnell’s commitment to making Raspberry Pi technology a cornerstone of modern engineering innovation.

Explore the newly launched Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5, AI HAT+, AI Camera and many more on our dedicated page.

Driving the Future of eMobility

eMobility remains a critical area of focus, with Farnell showcasing high-performance solutions for the rapidly evolving EV market. Our stand featured cutting-edge technologies from leading suppliers like STMicroelectronics, Panasonic, Renesas, Broadcom, Infineon, Midas and Hioki, highlighting advancements in everything from AI-powered systems to power management.

One of the standout demos came from STMicroelectronics, featuring the STM32MP257F-EV1, which leveraged AI-driven human posture detection to demonstrate intelligent, responsive systems designed to enhance EV safety and user interaction. Similarly, Panasonic presented its 6DoF inertial sensor (EWTS5G), a solution engineered for precise motion control and stability in challenging driving environments. These technologies are paving the way for smarter, more adaptive EV platforms.

Infineon Technologies showcased its renowned HybridPACK Drive Automotive Power Modules, designed to optimise power density and efficiency in EV applications. These power modules are critical for increasing the range and reliability of electric vehicles, making them indispensable for the next generation of electric transportation.

Broadcom’s contribution extended beyond lighting into automotive display solutions, where its advanced exterior and interior systems added a sleek, high-tech visual interface to EVs. Complementing this, Midas Displays demonstrated their 7-inch TFT touchscreen display, which combines clarity, durability, and intuitive interaction—perfect for EV dashboards. Together, these solutions emphasise how display technologies can redefine driver experience and vehicle aesthetics.

Discover the latest innovations in electric vehicle technologies, including AI-powered sensors, power modules, and charging solutions.

Revolutionising Industrial Automation

Industrial automation was another key highlight, with Farnell unveiling high-performance solutions for Industry 4.0 applications. From AI-based machine vision to predictive maintenance tools, our stand illustrated how automation technologies are becoming smarter and more efficient.

NXP Semiconductors brought a state-of-the-art innovation with their AI-based machine vision demo, which utilised the MCIMX93-EVK platform to showcase how edge AI can enhance industrial imaging. The demo demonstrated machine vision and quality control processes, illustrating how advanced vision systems are improving production accuracy and operational insights across a range of industries.

AMD showcased their innovative GPU-powered HMI (Human-Machine Interface) systems, offering responsive, graphically rich control solutions tailored for industrial environments. These HMIs are critical for operations requiring fast data visualisation and control precision, ensuring seamless integration with high-demand industrial systems.

Würth Elektronik Group demonstrated its plug-and-play IoT kit, enabling engineers to seamlessly integrate sensors with cloud-based platforms such as Microsoft Azure. This kit simplifies device-to-cloud communication, providing a robust and scalable foundation for advanced IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) applications.

onsemi highlighted their NCN26010 SPE (Single Pair Ethernet) physical layer solution, showcasing its ability to eliminate data collisions in dense industrial networks. This demo underlined the importance of reliable and efficient communication infrastructure in industrial settings, where consistent data flow is non-negotiable.

Further supporting automation workflows, Analog Devices’ vibration sensor predictive maintenance demo showcased real-time data acquisition and analysis for machine health monitoring. These sensors are ideal for reducing unplanned downtime and extending equipment lifespan in high-stress environments.

To address communication needs in industrial systems, Broadcom presented their industrial fibre communication solutions, featuring advanced optocouplers for fast, secure, and reliable data transfer in mission-critical operations.

Dive deeper into advanced automation technologies, from AI-driven machine vision to predictive maintenance, that are reshaping industrial systems.

Prototyping and Test Solutions for the Design Engineer
No engineering showcase would be complete without solutions for prototyping and testing, and Farnell delivered on this front with leading tools and platforms designed for fast iteration and precise validation.

Arduino’s Pro series was equally impressive, demonstrating its capability for rapid industrial embedded development. The Portenta range shone with its real-time performance, machine learning support, and versatile connectivity options, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

See how Arduino’s versatile boards and tools are empowering engineers to quickly prototype and innovate across a wide range of industries.

In testing and measurement, Farnell showcased industry-leading solutions from Keysight Technologies , Tektronix Europe Keithley Instruments (A Tektronix Company), and our own Multicomp Pro range. These tools ensure that design engineers have access to high-precision equipment for debugging, performance analysis, and compliance testing. From oscilloscopes and signal generators to advanced power supplies, our offerings are geared towards improving workflow efficiency and accuracy.

Engineering Solutions That Inspire Innovation

What made Farnell’s presence at electronica 2024 truly exceptional was the cohesive way we demonstrated how these technologies integrate into real-world applications. Every demo, from automation to IoT to eMobility, emphasised practicality and scalability, empowering engineers to envision how these solutions could directly impact their projects.

As a part of Avnet City, Farnell wasn’t just a supplier—it was a collaborator, partner, and enabler for innovation. Whether you were exploring the potential of Raspberry Pi for prototyping or AI machine vision enablement with simplicity or discussing network optimisation with onsemi, our stand provided a platform for meaningful technical discussions and hands-on experiences.

For engineers who couldn’t attend electronica 2024, all the solutions we showcased are just a click away. Visit Farnell to access comprehensive product specifications, technical resources, and purchasing options to bring your designs to life. Stay updated with the latest edition of eTechJournal, which focuses on Smart Infrastructure and the innovative solutions shaping the industry. Explore a wealth of Technical Resources Hub, including solution guides, articles, whitepapers, and the AI Hub, to gain valuable insights and stay ahead of the curve.

Together, let’s engineer a better tomorrow!

Farnell
Farnell Team at electronica 2024

Thanks to all our partners, customers and employees who made this event this event truly remarkable!


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