TDK InvenSense Develops Magnetic Sensors for Humanoid Robot Joints

What happened

TDK InvenSense is developing low-cost magnetic sensor technology for humanoid robot joints. TDK Vice President Jung Do-hyung said at THE ELEC's 'Semiconductors Powering Humanoids' conference, held at COEX in Seoul on Oct. 16, that the company is working with robotics manufacturers to develop humanoid joint measurement solutions using magnetic sensors. The solution uses a simple configuration of one magnet and one sensor to measure joint angles and could potentially replace encoders in certain joints, including fingers, using TMR sensors and Hall sensors: TMR sensors measure changes in electrical resistance caused by magnetic fields and offer higher measurement accuracy than Hall sensors, which measure voltages generated in response to magnetic fields; Hall sensors can also detect three-dimensional positions in ball-shaped joints. The stated background is that sensor costs increase as the number of joints grows, with fingers presenting particular challenges as multiple joints are concentrated in confined spaces. Jung said that for applications requiring only angle measurement, accuracy is likely lower than encoders, but the sensors are smaller, consume less power and are considerably cheaper; the company is also developing magnetic encoders for joints requiring precise position control and is applying magnetic sensor technology previously used in smartphones and automobiles to robotic joints.

Impact and signal

Affected components and suppliers

Source and time

Source: The Elec · 10/19/2026 · View original source