Abstract
Yole Développement releases a global analysis on accelerometers and
gyroscopes markets, however it can be available in 2 separate reports:
- 1 - High performances MEMS for automotive, medical, industrial, aeronautic
and defence applications
- 2 - Accelerometers and gyroscopes for Consumer
1 - MEMS MARKET
For high performance MEMS
The high performance MEMS market is expected to achieve a 5% annual growth
rate on the 2006-2011 period. Today, it already represents over $1B value
market.
High performance inertial MEMS applications are fragmented and thus offer
numerous business opportunities for a large set of players (for example
product development programs are very dynamic).
Expanding market for consumer MEMS
MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers market increased by 55% from 2005 to 2006
to reach USD 232 M last year. An average 35% CAGR for 2006-2011 periods is
expected. The market dynamic mainly comes from accelerometers: about 65% of
the total inertial sales by 2011. Consumer applications will progressively
take a 40% share of the total inertial MEMS activity by 2011 (including
automotive, medical, industrial, aeronautic and defence sectors).
2 - THE STAKES
For high performance MEMS
Accelerometers and gyroscopes are established components of the automotive,
aeronautic and defence area. High volume of automotive applications is
contrasting with defence and aeronautic fields where fewer units are sold but
with a higher added value. It is similar for high performance MEMS for medical
& industrial (small volume, fragmented applications...).
For consumer electronic
MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes are emerging at a very fast pace in
consumer electronics products. MEMS gyroscopes were widely integrated into
camcorders since 1998 to provide optical stabilization features. MEMS
accelerometers entered consumer applications in 2003, in large volume, as a
protection feature for Hard Disk Drives. In 2006, Nintendo Wii' s motion
sensing remote control gave for the first time, public visibility to inertial
MEMS. The new attractive Human Machine Interface from game controls such as
the Wii, is even expected to penetrate the cell phone market. Inertial MEMS
are already spread over a wide range of consumer products, with limited volume
. The MEMS industry is very excited and confident. Every one' s attention is
focused on what will be the next killer application.
3 - MARKET TRENDS
For high performance inertial MEMS, a new market dynamics
The high performance inertial MEMS field nowadays follows three main market
dynamics:
- 1. Entry of new players: Siemens VDO and Infineon have announced their
plan to enter the components market for the Electronic Stability Control
application. Recent achievements of new 10/h grade MEMS gyroscopes open new
possibilities of development for the aeronautic and defence field. European
companies could become key challengers of the UAV or guided munitions markets
for example.
- 2. Consolidation: the acquisition of Motorola Automotive by Continental
last year is highlighting the interest of Tier 1 suppliers in sensor
manufacturing
- 3. Diversification strategies: for instance, the slow down of the inertial
components demand for automotive that has happened in North America,
demonstrates the importance to succeed in industrial and consumer markets
(example of VTI)
A consolidation should take place for MEMS in consumer applications
The strong development of MEMS based consumer electronics applications since
2004 is leading the way for an industry consolidation starting in 2007. Some
players seem to have already stopped their 3 axis accelerometer product line.
In the mean time, design win have mainly been realized by the TOP6 consumer
accelerometers manufacturers. While the Nintendo Wii design win has been
attributed to ADI and STM, Sony has not publicly disclose their motion sensor
suppliers.
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