Sensata Technologies - Experts & Thought Leaders

Sensata Technologies announces it will showcase its latest aerospace innovation, the Digital Inceptor, at the NBAA-BACE conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, from October 22-24, 2024. As advanced air mobility evolves, the demand for lightweight, reliable pilot controls increases. Sensata, a pioneer in high-volume, multi-axis inceptors, leveraged its micro-RVDT technology and a modular design to create the lightest passive inceptor on the market.  Sensata’s Digital Inceptor features a compact design that integrates seamlessly into aircraft structures, offering single-axis to four-axis control. Its weight-optimized, three-axis models weigh less than 3.175 kilograms (7 pounds) and includes single-point of failure mitigation features for enhanced reliability. Traditional analog inceptors “eVTOL operation optimization relies heavily on weight reduction to conserve power during all phases of flight that results in increased range,” explains Prem Trivedi, Director of Aerospace Engineering at Sensata. “Our Digital Inceptor delivers advantages to overall system weight compared to traditional analog inceptors. Utilizing Controller Area Network (CAN) bus architecture, our Inceptor provides significant reduction in wire count which lends to reduced cable harness weight within the aircraft, helping to optimize the energy demands from the eVTOL battery system. Further weight savings and system complexity reductions are also realized with the Interfacing Flight Control Computers, since they no longer need to include circuitry that is typically required to interface with an analog inceptor.” Preferred digital protocol The component architecture is designed for maximum flexibility, allowing customer-specific variations The design incorporates redundant load paths and jam-resistant features across all axes, ensuring safe operation at both the sensor and mechanism levels. With flexible signal outputs available in either analog or digital formats, the Inceptor also includes precise, high-reliability RVDT sensors for non-contact position sensing with fault tolerance.  Additionally, it offers options for redundant sensors with three channels or upgrades to quad-redundant sensors per axis. The product's signal conditioning electronics offer direct analog outputs or the customer's preferred digital protocol—whether ARINC 825 CAN bus, ARINC 429, SPI, UART, or others. The component architecture is designed for maximum flexibility, allowing customer-specific variations, and enabling the production of a wide range of products in a short time. Highest design assurance levels Sensata’s Digital Inceptor has successfully completed rigorous RTCA/DO-160 EMI testing, including Lightning Induced Transient Susceptibility, RF Susceptibility, RF Emissions, and Power Input, and has demonstrated the robustness required to comply with aerospace standards.  The design architecture has been developed to withstand the rigor at the highest design assurance levels per RTCA/DO-178C to ensure the flight control systems are able to operate safely and reliably. Advanced air mobility With the introduction of digital conditioning electronics and software, Sensata has expanded its ability to seamlessly integrate the Digital Inceptor into its cockpit control portfolio. "We are committed to shaping the future of advanced air mobility and believe the weight and complexity reductions achieved through digital applications will be increasingly important to facilitate electrification adoption in aerospace and beyond,” shares Stuart Parker, Aerospace General Manager at Sensata. Visit Sensata at NBAA-BACE 2024 in Booth 2258 to explore its Digital Inceptor and other cutting-edge products designed to support infrastructure and mission profiles for advanced air mobility (AAM), urban air mobility (UAM), air taxis, and middle/last-mile cargo delivery.

Sensata Technologies was named a 2024 Automotive News PACE Award winner for its electromechanical fuse for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), the GigaFuse. The prestigious award recognizes automotive suppliers for superior innovation, technological advancement, and business performance. Flexibility for OEMs Sensata’s GigaFuse addresses critical safety and energy management challenges, providing a crucial component that ensures system protection and passenger safety in case of a BEV fault event. It solves protection issues from thermal fuses by eliminating the risk area. This is the first plug-and-play disconnect device that enhances architecture flexibility for OEMs. The fast-acting device is self-actuating and does not require external electronics or triggering. Additionally, the GigaFuse helps automotive manufacturers decrease development time to meet emissions targets. Technical innovations in products Sensata earned the award following an extensive review by an independent panel of judges including a comprehensive written application and a virtual site visit. The award program, now in its 29th year, recognizes auto suppliers for technical innovations in products or processes that have been embraced by a customer and achieved commercial production. "We are proud to receive this prestigious recognition, which is a testament to the hard work, technical expertise, and dedication of our teams," says Karen Asadourian, VP, Vehicle Engineering at Sensata Technologies, adding "At Sensata, we continuously strive to push the boundaries of what is possible in automotive technology, shaping the future of the industry. We are grateful for this recognition and remain steadfast in our mission to help our customers and partners safely deliver a cleaner, more efficient, electrified and connected world."

Sensata Technologies Holding plc announced that Jeff Cote, Chief Executive Officer and President of Sensata Technologies, has informed the Board of Directors of his intention to retire as CEO and President, and step down as a Member of the Sensata Board, effective April 30, 2024. The Board of Directors has appointed Martha Sullivan as Interim President and CEO and has established a CEO Search Committee to identify a new permanent CEO. CEO Transition Regarding Jeff Cote’s decision to retire, Sensata Chairman, Andrew C. Teich, said, “Sensata is a strong, profitable business that is well-positioned for a bright future in an increasingly electrified world. The Board is grateful for Jeff’s dedication and leadership in positioning the Company to benefit from these opportunities, and we wish him the best in his retirement.” “I am proud of the progress we have made in helping our customers solve their most challenging engineering and operational issues,” said Jeff Cote, adding “I want to thank our customers, employees, and our shareholders. It was an honor to work alongside Team Sensata as we strove every day to create capabilities that helped transform our end-markets, and position Sensata as a trusted partner.” CEO Search Committee Regarding Martha Sullivan’s appointment as Interim President and CEO, Andrew C. Teich, stated, “Martha’s previous experience as Sensata’s CEO and service as a Board member makes her ideally qualified to assume the Interim CEO role. We are confident that under her leadership, Sensata’s talented team will continue to deliver for our customers and our shareholders as we work to identify and hire our next CEO.” The Committee will undertake the search with the assistance of a pioneering executive search firm “It is a privilege to lead Sensata and work alongside our incredibly talented team once again,” said Martha Sullivan, adding “I am committed to a smooth transition and nurturing the momentum underway as we continue to deliver trusted sensor-rich solutions to our customers.” The CEO Search Committee is initially comprised of current Sensata Board Directors, Andrew Teich, Martha Sullivan, and John Mirshekari. The Committee will undertake the search with the assistance of a pioneering executive search firm. New Independent Director Appointment In addition, following a constructive dialogue with Elliott Investment Management L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Elliott”), Sensata has appointed Phillip Eyler to the Company’s Board. Mr. Eyler will serve on the CEO Search Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee when he joins the Board on July 1, 2024. With the appointment of Eyler, Sensata’s Board will consist of eleven directors, ten of whom are independent. Regarding Phillip Eyler’s appointment to the Board, Andrew C. Teich continued, “We are pleased to welcome Phil to the Board. He brings valuable insights and expertise, as a successful sitting CEO in an adjacent technology space with a proven track record of technology innovation and value creation. The Board looks forward to benefitting from his perspectives as we work to drive further shareholder value creation.” Sensata’s strategic sensor portfolio Elliott Partner - Marc Steinberg and Portfolio Manager - Austin Camporin, added, “As Sensata’s largest investor, we believe the Company is on the path to substantial shareholder value creation. We thank Jeff for his leadership, and we are highly confident in Martha’s ability to guide Sensata through this transition." They further said, "In addition, we believe Phil Eyler will bring fresh and relevant perspectives to the Board. Sensata’s strategic sensor portfolio positions it to benefit from ongoing secular tailwinds, and we believe that as Sensata executes on its plans to improve performance, shareholders will benefit from this multi-year value creation opportunity.” Cooperation Agreement with Elliott The Company has entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Elliott, as well as an Information Sharing Agreement to facilitate an ongoing dialog between Elliott and the Board as both seek to drive sustainable value creation for all Sensata shareholders. The Cooperation Agreement contains customary standstill, voting, and other provisions. A copy of the Cooperation Agreement will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2024.