Eyeing booming demand for combo motion sensors used in smartphones and tablets, MEMS vendors including Bosch, InvenSense, Kionix and STMicroelectronics all plan to promote their 6- and 9-axis IMUs (inertial measurement units) in 2013.
Six- and 9-axis IMUs are seeing growing adoption among smartphones, particuarly Android phones. For instance, the popular Samsung Galaxy-series smartphones and tablets all feature built-in 6-axis devices.
STMicro and InvenSense have rolled out their 6-axis IMUs, which include a 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope. STMicro also offers 6-axis compasses - comprising a 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis electronic compass - with Bosch and Freescale also competing in the segment. Freescale's solutions are targeted mainly at entry-level and midrange applications.
Accelerometer specialist Kionix has expanded its product line to include gyros and combo sensors. At CES 2013, the firm introduced a single 6-axis device - comprising a 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis e-compass - which can provide the output of 9-axis solutions.
As for 9-axis IMUs, Bosch has joined STMicroelectronics and InvenSense in launching its 9-axis solutions.
According to IHS iSuppli, revenues for combo motion sensors will rise to US$189.1 million in 2012, up from just US$23 million in 2011. The market will continue its growth momentum with revenues hitting US$635.6 million in 2013, the research firm projected.
Article translated by Jessie Shen
