June 23, 2026

Self-driving Cars Aren't the Challenge – Proving How They Think Is The UK's autonomous vehicle sector is shifting into deployment mode as driverless taxi plans advance and regulations strengthen. Developers now face mounting pressure to prove that AVs make safe, compliant decisions in unpredictable real-world scenarios to secure trust & approval. TechRadar

Sponsor Automation in Transition The world of automation is changing. What does this mean for customers? And what impact is the transformation having on providers? Find out more from a panel of experts. SCHUNK

Intel and AMD are teaming up to make x86 CPUs better at AI, without needing a GPU Intel and AMD introduced Advanced Compute Extensions (ACE), a new x86 CPU specification that accelerates AI inference for smaller models. ACE improves matrix operations, cuts power use, and simplifies software development while GPUs remain dominant for large-scale AI training. TechSpot

RAIG Minimizes Corrosion, Allows Higher Gold on ENEPIG Paper describes a mixed reaction RAIG electrolyte that minimizes galvanic corrosion and allows higher ENEPIG gold thicknesses, enabling robust designs and world-class quality on target with minimal variation. Technical Paper

Tesla faces federal probe after Model 3 slams into Texas home, killing 76-year-old National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a special crash investigation into a Tesla Model 3 crash in Texas, that killed a 76-year-old woman after the car struck a home. Authorities and Tesla dispute whether driver-assisted systems or manual acceleration caused the incident. CNBC

Sponsor pH Employment in Electronic Cleaning The pH of a cleaning agent affects the entire cleaning process and must be considered when determining the appropriate chemistry and process parameters for success. Download now. KYZEN

Tata Electronics, a major tech supplier to Apple and Tesla, confirms data breach Tata Electronics confirmed a data breach after hackers claimed 630GB of stolen files appeared online, including possible Apple and Tesla documents. The company says operations remain unaffected and has activated response protocols while investigations continue. TechCrunch

Cleaning Industrial Parts with Plasma The cleanliness of surfaces is critical for the quality of processes like bonding, coating and printing. That’s why manufacturers may want to consider using atmospheric pressure plasma. Technical Paper

Technical Papers ■ Redesigning Material Logistics for High-Mix EMS Production ■ Unlocking Academic-Industry Synergy: A Collaborative Model for Hands-On Electronics Manufacturing Education ■ Viscosity Does Not Equal Rheology: What Solder Paste Measurements Really Tell You ■ Salvaging Electronic Components: A Reliable Method for Reducing Electronic Waste and Ensuring Economic Reuse ■ Digital Warehouse Automation in High-Mix PCB Assembly ■ Evaluation of Techniques for Intentional Contamination of PWB Substrates for Quantitative Cleanliness Analyses ■ Scaling SMT Traceability ■ The Drawbacks of Internal Recycling Systems for Solder Dross ■ Engineering ESD-Safe PCB Assembly for High-Reliability IoT and Industrial Electronics ■ The Analysis of Variance: Drawing Conclusions from Data That Are Correct, Unambiguous, and Defensible MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor 3 Ways to Increase Plasma Uniformity Process temperature is the most important parameter in the plasma process. Process temperature has primary control over etch rate and has a secondary effect on etch uniformity. Read more. Plasma Etch

Commemorating 70 Years of Artificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence has evolved from its 1956 Dartmouth origins and earlier theoretical work into a transformative technology. It has passed through expert systems, AI winters, and deep learning breakthroughs, now driving widespread adoption through generative AI. IEEE Spectrum

5 Wearables Other Than Smartwatches That Can Make Your Life Easier Smart wearable alternatives to smartwatches are gaining popularity, including smart rings, sleep earbuds, and posture trackers. These devices deliver health insights, improve sleep and posture, and reduce distractions while offering longer battery life and more focused daily use. BGR

How To Clean a Vintage Circuit Board Assembly? A vintage computer board is contaminated with decomposed anti-static foam. The microprocessor and other ICs have a sticky grime on the leads. Board Talk

Sponsor Lower Electronics Costs Through Component Recovery Recovering electronic components can reduce costs, minimize waste, and maximize inventory. Circuit Technology Center provides component recovery solutions. Circuit Technology Center

China hits US rare earth companies with export bans China imposed export controls on US rare earth firms MP Materials and USA Rare Earth, citing national security. The move responds to US military-related sanctions, bans dual-use exports, and targets broader US firms amid escalating critical minerals supply tensions. Taipei Times

Alphabet has its worst day in over a year on AI concerns after high-profile exits Alphabet shares fell about 5% as AI concerns and top researcher exits rattled investors. Key DeepMind figures left for OpenAI and Anthropic, while Microsoft's Satya Nadella warned of commoditized AI, raising doubts about Alphabet's heavy AI spending strategy. CNBC

Low Temperature Solder Joint Shear Strength of Components This paper studies the effect of several factors on the shear strength of a wide range of components assembled using LTS paste. Technical Paper

Sponsor Need Improved Solder Joint Visibility? Solder Peel-A-Wayš Removable Terminal Carriers in place and peel the carrier away for complete solder joint visibility on both sides of the PCB. Watch a video to see it in action. Advanced Interconnections Corp.

Students Are Increasingly Using AI to Cheat — And Getting Away With It Students are increasingly using AI tools to disguise chatbot-generated essays and evade unreliable detection systems. As AI-assisted cheating spreads, educators are shifting toward handwritten exams and stricter policies to preserve academic integrity. Entrepreneur

SpaceX signs computing power deal with open-source AI startup Reflection worth up to $6.3 billion SpaceX signed a computing deal with Reflection AI, granting the startup access to Nvidia GB300 chips through Colossus. Reflection will pay $150 million monthly through 2029, underscoring SpaceX's push to monetize AI infrastructure and expand beyond rockets and Starlink. CNBC

Sponsor Catch Defects Before They Cost You 3D AOI analyzes true solder height, contour, and volume to expose defects 2D systems miss—reducing false calls, rework, and escapes on ultra-compact components. Manncorp Inc.

Software to Silicon With RISC-V for Physical AI At the Embedded Vision Summit, industry leaders discussed redesigning chips for agentic AI, highlighting GlobalFoundries'’ acquisitions, RISC-V's rise as the preferred instruction set architecture & the shift toward software-first, workload-optimized designs tailored to AI demands. EE Times

Characterization of SIP Assembly and Reliability Under Thermal Cycles This paper presents assembly challenges and reliability evaluation of Three-Dimensional Through- Mold Via and System in Package in fine pitch ball grid arrays. Technical Paper

Securing Next-Generation Defense by Design Europe is overhauling its defense strategy as hybrid threats and AI-driven warfare expose supply chain weaknesses. Experts urge governments to build security & resilience into AI, infrastructure & multinational programs to protect critical capabilities & reduce strategic dependence. EE Times

iPhone Air 2 Could Get A Hardware Downgrade That Will Seal The Fate For Apple's Sleek Flagship Future Forever Apple may equip the iPhone Air 2 with dual 48MP cameras, but a new rumor says it will use the standard A20 chip instead of the A20 Pro. The downgrade could weaken the model’s appeal and threaten the future of Apple's slim flagship lineup. wccftech

Sponsor Unlock the Potential of Salvaged Devices Component harvesting is a reliable method of electronic component reclamation, reducing e-waste and ensuring economic reuse for automated assembly. BEST Inc.

The $2,000 Gamble: Why Apple is Shifting From iPhone to 'Ultra Fold' in 2026 Apple plans to enter the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Ultra Fold in late 2026. Priced around $2,000, the device will feature iOS 27 enhancements, improved durability, and advanced hinge technology aimed at redefining foldable design and functionality. Geeky Gadgets