TL;DR:
- pSemi, a Murata company, has introduced the PE25304, a breakthrough power module designed specifically for 48V humanoid robotic architectures.
- The module achieves an industry-leading 97% conversion efficiency, significantly reducing thermal buildup in compact mechatronic systems.
- Alongside robotics, pSemi launched the PE26100, the world’s first 4-level buck converter for fast-charging mobile devices.
- These advancements address the critical “thermal-density” challenge in dexterous robotic hands and mobile AI hardware.
The Power Behind the Dexterity
In a major announcement at APEC 2026, pSemi has unveiled a suite of power management solutions that promise to solve some of the most persistent engineering hurdles in modern robotics. At the forefront is the PE25304, an advanced integrated charge pump switching-capacitor power module. Engineered for 48V input architectures, the module is purpose-built for the emerging wave of dexterous humanoid robots. By dividing input voltage by four with 97% efficiency, the PE25304 allows designers to pack high-power capabilities into ultra-low-profile (2mm) packages without the risk of overheating sensitive electromechanical assemblies.
According to reports from pSemi, this technology is not limited to land-based robotics. The versatile power solution is also being positioned for use in high-performance drones, medical devices, and embedded AI modules. By reducing power loss and thermal signatures, pSemi is enabling a new generation of “Physical AI” where robots can operate for longer periods with higher precision and less bulk.
Revolutionizing Mobile Charging
While the robotics community focused on the PE25304, the mobile industry received its own breakthrough with the PE26100. This multi-level buck converter is the world’s first of its kind for direct battery charging, optimized for the latest smartphones and tablets. Supporting high-power USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) and Programmable Power Supply (PPS) ecosystems, the PE26100 can deliver up to 6A of output current. Its ability to switch between 3-level and 4-level buck modes based on input voltage ensures maximum efficiency across a wide range of charging scenarios, further cementing pSemi’s role as a leader in capacitive-based power conversion.
Background: The Evolution of pSemi and Murata’s Power Vision
pSemi, formerly known as Peregrine Semiconductor, has a storied 30-year legacy in the design and development of high-performance semiconductor integration. Headquartered in San Diego, the company built its reputation on RF, analog, and mixed-signal solutions before becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Murata Electronics North America, Inc. in 2014. This acquisition combined pSemi’s innovative IP portfolio with Murata’s global manufacturing scale, allowing the brand to expand beyond its traditional RF roots into the high-growth sectors of power management and connected sensors.
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., the parent organization, is a Japanese titan in the electronics industry, renowned for its ceramic-based passive components and wireless modules. As the global demand for electric vehicles, data centers, and humanoid robotics has surged, Murata has pivoted its strategic focus toward “Physical AI”—the intersection of advanced software and high-density hardware. The latest announcements at APEC 2026 represent the culmination of this vision, providing the essential power “muscles” required for the intelligent machines of the late 2020s. By solving the thermal and energy density challenges of 48V systems, pSemi and Murata are effectively setting the standard for how future humanoid robots will be powered and cooled.
