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From off-road machines to next-gen VR devices, today’s technology is pushing the limits of durability, speed, and design efficiency. As operating environments become more extreme and devices more compact, the connectors that link critical systems need to be just as advanced, resisting dust, water, shock, and wear while delivering high-performance connectivity.
Three companies have recently released new connectors that can be used for challenging environments. Amphenol has introduced a rugged, circular six-pin connector for transportation and heavy equipment; Attend has debuted waterproof USB and USB-C connectors for industrial and outdoor systems; and Hirose has launched a compact One Action FPC connector for portable consumer electronics. Each is engineered to help OEMs and system designers simplify assembly, boost reliability, and future-proof their designs.
Amphenol’s Six-Pin Connector for Vibration and Harsh Environments
Amphenol Industrial Operations has expanded its AT Circular Series with a new six-pin option engineered for high-performance in rugged applications such as heavy-duty vehicles, industrial machinery, and transportation systems. Housed in a durable thermoplastic shell, the connector includes redundant grommet wire seals and a reverse bayonet coupling for secure and fast mating, which is critical in field installations where downtime is costly.
Amphenol designed its AT Circular Series connectors to handle tough environments found in construction, mining, or agriculture.
Supporting up to 13 amps per contact with dielectric withstand voltages of 1,500 V, the new device delivers reliable power and signal transmission even under heavy vibration (tested up to 20 g) and in corrosive environments. The six-pin design is available in square flange or jam nut mount options, allowing easy integration into both new builds and retrofits. Optional accessories such as strain reliefs and protective caps help enhance durability and longevity in exposed applications.
Applications include engine sensors, lighting systems, steering controls, diagnostics, and industrial automation—all benefiting from a rugged connector that’s tested for thermal shock, salt spray, and water ingress.
Attend’s Waterproof USB Connectors for Sealed Performance
Attend built its newly expanded Waterproof USB & USB-C Series to provide robust and reliable connectivity in environments where exposure to water, dust, vibration, and extreme temperatures is common. The series covers a wide range of configurations—including USB Type-A, Mini USB, Micro USB, and advanced USB Type-C—with support for USB 2.0, USB 3.2, and USB4 Gen3 (up to 40 Gbps).
Attend has introduced a waterproof USB & USBC Connector Series for marine and industrial electronics.
With IP67 or IP68 protection ratings and mating cycles exceeding 5,000 insertions, these connectors may be useful for mission-critical applications in smart agriculture, marine electronics, industrial control systems, and autonomous vehicle platforms.
The USB Type-C screw-lock variants offer added resistance to vibration and mechanical stress by preventing loosening during use. Sealed panel-mount options with quick-lock mechanisms ensure stable connections in testing instruments, medical devices, and outdoor terminals. These connectors will be available in various mounting options (SMT, through-hole, top mount, or mid mount) to ensure compatibility with various embedded platforms and ruggedized equipment.
Hirose’s FPC Connectors for Consumer Electronics
Targeting high-density consumer devices, Hirose’s FH81 Series delivers a compact, reliable, and automation-friendly FPC connection. With a 0.5-mm pitch and 1.0-mm height, the connector matches the footprint of the widely used FH34 Series but introduces top and bottom contact capability and a “one action” locking structure.
Due to Hirose’s one-action mechanism, these connectors do not rely on contact direction, allowing them to be used in a variety of different layouts.
Hirose designed this “one action” mechanism to simplify assembly, giving it added utility on automated production lines. It enhances FPC retention strength, which can minimize the chance of contact failure during operation. The non-directional contact system allows flexible board layouts, making these connectors suitable for compact devices such as VR headsets, laptops, tablets, and wearables.
Hirose has also made its connectors available in a 24-position version. The FH81 Series will expand to include additional pin counts ranging from four to 30, allowing it to serve a broader array of flexible circuit needs in consumer and IoT products.
Rugged Connectors for Real-World Conditions
As performance expectations increase across industrial and consumer electronics, connector innovation becomes a key enabler of system reliability and design freedom. With rugged circular solutions from Amphenol, high-speed sealed USBs from Attend, and flexible low-profile connectors from Hirose, engineers now have powerful tools to meet demanding real-world conditions without compromising on speed, space, or safety.
