page 18
Product Review
Outdoor Appliances

page 39
Sensors and MCUs
A Cosmetic Approach to Controls
by Jill Russell, Contributing Editor
Increased use of advanced sensors and microcontrollers is helping to change the old appliance "sea of white" into a sea of options.

page 40
Sensors and MCUs
Sensing the Perfect Fit
by Jill Russell, Contributing Editor

page 23
The Open Door
Regulated Vending in the EU
by Marco Baron, market and product manager, Fas International S.p.A.

page 24
Engineering Innovation
Strange Bedfellows: Innovation and Risk Aversion
by Brian Christian, principal, DASO Consulting LLC
The age of innovation is clearly upon us. The cry for more innovation in all sectors of business around the world has grown to a deafening roar. The financial markets are clearly rewarding stockholders in companies that possess a healthy and demonstrable new product pipeline. The question is no longer what to do, but how to do it. While there are many obstacles to building a sustainable innovation capability, one almost insurmountable obstacle is an organization’s aversion to risk.

page 28
Electronics Report
A Colorful Solution
With a profile of only 0.4 mm, a new series of SMD LEDs is said to feature both small size and color versatility, while also offering low power consumption.

page 30
Technology Report
Next-Generation Display Technology
Advanced laser technology is said to help consumer electronic manufacturers create brighter displays with crisper images and lower power consumption.

page 32
Motor Technology
Advanced Control
New digital signal controllers (DSCs) are designed to reduce cost, provide greater design flexibility and offer advanced features to appliance motor control applications.

page 20
People
Farshid Ahmady of Solaronics, Inc.

page 7
APPLIANCE Line
Leveling the European Playing Field
Tim Somheil, Editor
In Europe, the appliance industry takes a strong stance on environmental freeloaders.