During the ongoing CES 2020 event in Las Vegas, Dutch semiconductor firm Nowi and Swiss smartwatch module company MMT (Manufacture Modules Technologies SA) has announced the commercial availability of the new MMT 285EH module for use in hybrid smartwatches.
For the uninitiated, the solar power module offers a package of Nowi energy harvesting power management, Nordic semiconductor Bluetooth communication, accelerometer functionality, and smartphone connectivity in a minimal module footprint previously unavailable.
By utilizing Nowi’s advanced energy harvesting integrated circuit, MMT is able to offer watchmakers a platform to design unique hybrid smartwatches that eliminate the need to be charged by consumers.
Phillipe Fraboulet, CEO MMT, said:
The ability to offer a watch providing a unique, sustainable technical solution is important to our clients and their brands. Our customers are known for tradition and craftsmanship that they have cultivated over many decades, but they aren’t standing still, they want some of the latest technology while not sacrificing aesthetics and tradition. Durability and ease of use are key for our customers, and this complete module offering from MMT and Nowi helps them make that first big step.
Simon van der Jagt, CEO NOWI B.V., said:
MMT has understood from the beginning the opportunity that a greatly reduced energy harvesting PCB footprint offers hybrid watches. Nowi has been able to combine the reduced bill of materials with top energy harvesting performance. Especially the fast Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) has proven to be key in enabling hybrid watch applications. As the user moves, the angle and type of light are continuously changing, and this forces the energy harvesting chip to adapt to retain the highest conversion efficiency continuously. Nowi’s MPPT is able to adapt in less than a second, which in practice means significantly more harvested energy.
Main image credits: Nowi
Stay tuned to Silicon Canals for more European technology news.
