ANALYSIS-MARKET-TRENDS
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Multiple MEMS potential will provoke market explosion
Multiple MEMS potential will provoke market explosion
The promise of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), forecast some years back, has undoubtedly materialised. MEMS devices are now in mainstream production for a wide range of products and industries, including airbags, miniature microphones, inkjet printer heads and tyre pressure sensors. If that were not enough, the market is about to explode.
More recent implementations of MEMS, such as orientation sensing in the Apple iPhone and motion sensing in Nintendo's Wii, have stimulated the imagination of designers, to exploit this technology further in high volume, consumer products. According to leading MEMS vendors, the most dramatic results will come when developers use a single MEMS-based sensor for multiple tasks, and, even more, when they combine different types of MEMS and add smart software. By implementing a combination of motion detection, position, proximity, light and pressure sensing, developers have the potential to revolutionise the way we interface with electronic devices. The aim is to provide a predictive, or pre-emptive operating environment.
Just emerging from leading MEMS vendors are reference designs which will illustrate their potential and stimulate the market. For example, a three-axis accelerometer can be used with an electronic compass to compensate for tilt. Combining a digital pressure sensor with GPS navigation systems can detect height differences less than a metre, and slope changes, to distinguish a vehicle's exact position in a clover-leaf or 'spaghetti junction' roadway complex. Dual-axis gyroscopes are coming down in price dramatically, and may compete with accelerometers in price-sensitive applications. But combining the two would deliver seriously advanced motion sensing capability, detecting linear and rotational motion.
Galloping growth
New MEMS devices are emerging at a tremendous rate, from known names in the semiconductor sector, as well as a host of start-ups and specialists. Growth in manufacturing capacity is galloping, with major investments being made not only by semiconductor manufacturers, but also by specialist MEMS companies, strongly supported by venture capital, and by foundries and subcontractors. As take-up increases, prices are beginning to fall, further stimulating their adoption. While the biggest impact will be made in existing high volume markets, MEMs devices are inspiring more exotic developments too, such as new forms of miniature, low power interferometric modulator displays and ultra-miniature cameras with zoom and autofocus capabilities.
Market researchers predict the MEMS market will reach US$20bn by 2016, up from US$7bn in 2006. The interesting question here, is whether they will be upgrading their forecasts a year from now?
The promise of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), forecast some years back, has undoubtedly materialised. MEMS devices are now in mainstream production for a wide range of products and industries, including airbags, miniature microphones, inkjet printer heads and tyre pressure sensors. If that were not enough, the market is about to explode.
More recent implementations of MEMS, such as orientation sensing in the Apple iPhone and motion sensing in Nintendo's Wii, have stimulated the imagination of designers, to exploit this technology further in high volume, consumer products. According to leading MEMS vendors, the most dramatic results will come when developers use a single MEMS-based sensor for multiple tasks, and, even more, when they combine different types of MEMS and add smart software. By implementing a combination of motion detection, position, proximity, light and pressure sensing, developers have the potential to revolutionise the way we interface with electronic devices. The aim is to provide a predictive, or pre-emptive operating environment.
Just emerging from leading MEMS vendors are reference designs which will illustrate their potential and stimulate the market. For example, a three-axis accelerometer can be used with an electronic compass to compensate for tilt. Combining a digital pressure sensor with GPS navigation systems can detect height differences less than a metre, and slope changes, to distinguish a vehicle's exact position in a clover-leaf or 'spaghetti junction' roadway complex. Dual-axis gyroscopes are coming down in price dramatically, and may compete with accelerometers in price-sensitive applications. But combining the two would deliver seriously advanced motion sensing capability, detecting linear and rotational motion.
Galloping growth
New MEMS devices are emerging at a tremendous rate, from known names in the semiconductor sector, as well as a host of start-ups and specialists. Growth in manufacturing capacity is galloping, with major investments being made not only by semiconductor manufacturers, but also by specialist MEMS companies, strongly supported by venture capital, and by foundries and subcontractors. As take-up increases, prices are beginning to fall, further stimulating their adoption. While the biggest impact will be made in existing high volume markets, MEMs devices are inspiring more exotic developments too, such as new forms of miniature, low power interferometric modulator displays and ultra-miniature cameras with zoom and autofocus capabilities.
Market researchers predict the MEMS market will reach US$20bn by 2016, up from US$7bn in 2006. The interesting question here, is whether they will be upgrading their forecasts a year from now?
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