Austriamicrosystems has made a $6m investment in exchange for a
25% minority share in privately-held and New Scale Technologies, a
developer of miniature motors.
The investment is part of a strategic partnership for product
development and new business development in which the companies
will integrate austriamicrosystems’ high-performance analog ICs
with New Scale’s patented piezoelectric motors to create miniature
motion systems.
The aim is to create an integrated motion system on the same
scale as the miniature motors, which are currently less than
2x2x6mm in size.
“Tapping austriamicrosystems’ expertise in power-efficient
analogue ICs and precision magnetic sensors, we can provide our
customers with complete ‘closed loop’ motion solutions that
incorporate micro motors, drive electronics and position sensors in
extremely small modules, ready for integration into OEM products,"
said David Henderson, CEO and CTO of
New Scale.
The firms are looking at designs for auto focus and optical zoom
modules for mobile phone cameras, actuators for electronic locks,
micro fluidic pumps for medical devices, and active control systems
for automotive components.
“New Scale’s motor is a powerful new technology that will have a
disruptive impact on communications, medical and automotive system
product designs requiring small motion systems,” said John Heugle,
CEO of austriamicrosystems.