Bosch Sensortec Joins Forces with Espressif to Create High-Performance Magnetic Sensing Interaction Solutions

To meet the growing demand for stable and smooth interaction in AI toys and smart hardware — especially within limited space and cost constraints — Bosch Sensortec has collaborated with Espressif Systems to introduce a more lightweight and reliable approach: the Magnetic Sensing Interaction Solution. This solution deeply integrates Bosch Sensortec’s 3-axis magnetic sensors with Espressif’s SoCs. By sensing real-time changes in the spatial magnetic field, it enables precise recognition and position detection of accessories.

Solution Highlights

• Hardware Synergy: A hardware combination built by Bosch Sensortec's high-precision magnetic sensors and Espressif SoCs.
• Core Functionality: Focused on AI toys and smart hardware to achieve non-contact accessory identification, position detection, and gesture interaction.
• Performance: Supports the identification of up to 10 magnetic accessories with an effective induction distance of up to 150 mm.
• Ultimate Advantages: Ultra-small footprint and low cost, facilitating large-scale mass production of consumer electronic devices.

By utilizing Bosch Sensortec’s 3-axis magnetic sensors to acutely capture surrounding magnetic fields, devices can achieve intelligent upgrades without complex physical structures:

• Automatic Identification and Detection: The system senses magnetic field changes brought by the permanent magnets in accessories to automatically determine their status and position.
• Precise Distinction of Multiple Accessories: Utilizing the differences in magnetic field vector characteristics output by the sensor, the system can precisely distinguish up to 10 different accessories.
• Dynamic Interaction: Based on continuous magnetic field data from the sensor, the system can identify the movement direction and positional changes of accessories, enabling advanced logic such as sliding interactions.

1. Cost Efficiency: Compared to vision-based recognition or NFC, the combination of Bosch Sensortec’s 3-axis magnetic sensors and simple magnetic structures provides customers with a more cost-effective total solution.
2. Seamless Design: The sensors are extremely small and require no openings or antennas. They can be completely hidden inside the device (e.g., inside a plush toy) without affecting the product's aesthetics.
3. Flexible Layout and Long-Distance Recognition: Bosch sensors offer high flexibility for PCB mounting, with effective recognition distances of up to 40 mm. A single sensor can cover accessory detection across different areas of the device.

One of the core components of this solution is the BMM350, a 3-axis magnetic sensor from Bosch Sensortec.

The BMM350 is an ultra-small, high-performance, and low-power 16-bit 3-axis magnetic sensor. It is based on Bosch Sensortec’s proprietary TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) technology and is specifically designed for consumer applications with extreme requirements for precision and space.

Technical Advantages:

• Superior Sensing Precision: Thanks to TMR technology, the BMM350 exhibits excellent low-noise performance and achieves extremely high sensing accuracy, enabling it to capture subtle changes in magnetic field vectors.
• Field Shock Recovery: This unique feature effectively resists external magnetic field interference, ensuring the sensor maintains output stability and consistency even in complex electromagnetic environments.
• Lightweight Packaging: Utilizing a WLCSP (Wafer Level Chip Scale Package), the dimensions are only 1.28 x 1.28 x 0.5 mm³. Its minimal footprint provides ideal adaptability for hardware design.
• Low Power Operation: Ultra-low current consumption helps extend battery life, making it an ideal choice for wearables and mobile intelligent terminals.

Beyond its outstanding performance in AI toy accessory recognition, the BMM350 is active in the following cutting-edge fields:

• Head Tracking: Enhances head pose detection accuracy for an immersive spatial audio experience.
• Indoor Navigation: Optimizes indoor positioning in combination with inertial sensors to improve navigation accuracy.
• AR/VR and Smart Glasses: Effectively reduces pixel latency and improves the visual experience.
• Position and Speed Detection: Provides precise positioning and speed detection for vehicles and industrial devices.

Through the deep synergy between Bosch Sensortec’s advanced magnetic sensing technology and Espressif’s SoCs, once-static hardware devices are gaining new vitality. BMM350 3-axis magnetic sensor not only brings ultimate precision and stability via TMR technology but also breaks physical design constraints with its ultra-low power and miniature packaging.

Looking ahead, as magnetic sensing solutions are implemented in more scenarios, Bosch Sensortec will continue to work with global and local partners to explore the infinite possibilities of sensing technology and empowering the smart living ecosystem.

Espressif Systems (688018.SH) pioneered the industry’s first full-stack AIoT platform, driving continuous advancements in next-generation intelligent, low-power IoT and edge-AI devices. With open-source technology at its core, the company enables scalable, secure, and cost-effective smart applications across consumer electronics, smart home, and industrial IoT (IIoT) sectors, reshaping the technology landscape of multiple industries.

By deeply integrating computing and connectivity within its SoCs, Espressif is redefining the IoT ecosystem and accelerating the large-scale adoption of intelligent devices. As a global leader in semiconductor innovation, Espressif offers high-performance RISC-V SoCs and comprehensive solutions that combine AI, a self-developed operating system, advanced security mechanisms, and cloud-connectivity capabilities — continuously steering the future of intelligent connected systems.