SPARK Microsystems and Softgent Collaborate on Ultra Efficient Wireless Communication and Positioning for Healthcare and Industrial Markets

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 6, 2025--

SPARK Microsystems, a Canadian fabless semiconductor company specializing in next-generation short-range wireless communications, today announced a collaboration agreement with Softgent focused on supporting SPARK customers with wireless communications and positioning solutions. This collaboration aims to help customers in healthcare and industrial markets achieve breakthrough efficiencies using SPARK technology.

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The partnership harnesses the benefits of SPARK’s ultra-wideband (SPARK LE-UWB™) technology – embodied in its new, second-generation SR1120 transceiver – integrated with Softgent’s tailored, scalable platforms for high-performance wireless IoT connectivity, positioning, ranging and tracking. The combined design acumen of Softgent and SPARK equips customers with flexible, integrated UWB-based platforms at unrivaled cost efficiencies and ultra-low power profiles that extend battery charges up to 10X longer than Bluetooth for increased autonomy, with no performance compromises.

Softgent is leveraging SPARK’s established performance leadership in data delivery (40.96 Mbps, 40X higher than Bluetooth) complemented with significantly lower power consumption, latency and better interference robustness compared to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 2.4 GHz solutions. Compared to other UWB offerings in the market limited to ranging and positioning applications, SPARK delivers competing ranging capability at approximately 100X lower power consumption, in a uniquely cost-effective architecture.

“The performance benefits enabled with SPARK LE-UWB™ technology are vital to the next generation of wirelessly connected healthcare and industrial devices – from healthcare devices to robotics, ranging applications and beyond,” said Marcin Hasse, Co-founder and CEO, Softgent. “OEMs have a real opportunity to differentiate and lead their markets with UWB-based technology. Softgent’s collaboration with SPARK will help customers seize this opportunity.”

“With proven IoT system design capabilities and a collaborative approach to customer enablement, Softgent supports OEMs worldwide in advancing their wireless solutions,” said Sylvain Jalbert, VP of Engineering, SPARK Microsystems. “This partnership extends the reach of SPARK’s breakthrough UWB technology, enabling customers to realize unmatched performance in wireless data communications and ranging: faster, more efficiently, and with greater impact.”

SPARK Microsystems and Softgent are actively collaborating on customer designs today. Customers interested in partnering with Softgent and SPARK Microsystems are invited to contact info@sparkmicro.com.

About Softgent

Softgent is a leading engineering company specializing in the design and development of advanced communication and IoT solutions. With deep expertise in embedded systems, Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS), and innovative wireless technologies, Softgent delivers cutting-edge, reliable solutions tailored to meet complex industrial challenges. Renowned for its engineering excellence and commitment to innovation, Softgent partners with global organizations to transform ideas into scalable, high-performance products. For more information, please visit www.softgent.com.

About SPARK Microsystems

SPARK Microsystems is building next generation short-range wireless communication devices. SPARK UWB provides high data rate and very low latency wireless communication links at an ultra-low power profile, making it ideal for personal area networks (PANs) used in mobile, consumer and IoT-connected products. Leveraging patented technologies, SPARK Microsystems strives to minimize and ultimately eliminate wires and batteries from a wide range of applications. For more information, please visit www.sparkmicro.com.

SPARK MICROSYSTEMS and LE‑UWB are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARK Microsystems in Canada and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SPARK’s ultra-wideband (SPARK LE-UWB™) technology – embodied in its SR1120 transceiver, shown here – is integrated with Softgent’s innovative platforms for high-performance wireless IoT connectivity, positioning, ranging and tracking.

CHICAGO (AP) — Looks like Shohei Ohtani is doing much better.

Ohtani hit a leadoff homer for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday in his return to the starting lineup after being sidelined by inflammation in his left knee. He also walked three times and scored twice in a 7-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

“I felt good waking up in the morning, I feel good now, so I’m pretty confident that I’ll be able to stay healthy and should be good to go tomorrow as well,” Ohtani said through a translator.

The two-way star connected on a 1-0 fastball from White Sox right-hander Sean Burke for his 14th homer. The 409-foot drive to right in the first inning had an exit velocity of 109.6 mph.

It was Ohtani's fifth leadoff homer of the season and No. 29 for his career.

“Obviously he’s the best player in the world, so anytime you can get the best player in a world back in your lineup, he’s definitely going to help and he showed it immediately,” teammate Mookie Betts said.

The 31-year-old Ohtani was back at designated hitter after he rested during Friday’s 8-2 loss in the series opener at Chicago. The knee inflammation popped up Thursday night at Pittsburgh, prompting Ohtani to leave an 8-6 win over the Pirates in the seventh.

“We took him out of the game the other night just for precautionary,” manager Dave Roberts said before Saturday's win. “Yesterday, treated it up, today he feels great. All the confidence that he can go out there and hit, feel good, not regress at all.”

Ohtani, who had surgery on his left knee in September 2019, wasn't sure exactly what caused the inflammation.

“It’s actually hard to pinpoint at what moment this happened,” he said. “All I can really know for sure is that I think my mechanics wasn’t quite great in terms of my pitching side. So I believe that had something to do with this.”

Ohtani is scheduled to take the mound again on Wednesday against Tampa Bay. The 6-foot-4 right-hander tested his knee for his throwing motion by playing catch in the outfield before Saturday's victory.

“It wasn’t 100 percent today, but I, you know, with the next three, four days, I feel pretty confident with enough recovery that I should be able to make the next start,” he said.

Ohtani is batting .305 with 41 RBIs and 50 runs scored in 68 games for the NL West leaders. On the mound, the reigning NL MVP is 6-2 with a 1.06 ERA in 11 starts.

Roberts also said Justin Wrobleski is expected to make his next scheduled start Tuesday against the Rays. The left-hander left in the fifth inning on Thursday night because of a left hamstring contusion.

“Yesterday I talked to him and he is a little sore, which is understandable, but he’ll be ready to go on Tuesday,” Roberts said.

Roberts, 54, is going to miss Sunday's series finale against the White Sox. Bench coach Danny Lehmann will run the team while Roberts attends his daughter's college graduation.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, of Japan, gestures after he hit a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17), of Japan, hits a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani, from Japan, warms up before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani, from Japan, touches his knee before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani, from Japan, warms up before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani, from Japan, during warmups before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)