Hampshire, UK – A new Juniper Research report has found that the market for mobile MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) sensors and components will reach almost US$8 billion in 2018. Such components include microphone and camera devices embedded within smartphones, tablets, eReaders and wearable devices.
MEMS sensors are crucial to mobile device functionality, and enable services such as augmented reality, context awareness and navigation. They drive applications such as gaming, imaging and videography. Juniper’s latest report, ‘Mobile Sensors & MEMS: Market Prospects 2013-2018’, examines how this high growth sector will be further driven by the emergence of wearable technology. Health and fitness will play a key role as it will rely heavily on MEMS sensor technology to measure temperature, pressure, physical activity and other key aspects of the body.
The report also identifies the next wave of sensors in the mobile device area – MEMS cameras. MEMS cameras will offer new levels of functionality such as multiple points of focus that will allow viewers to choose which points within the image have the main focus.
“With Apple and Samsung paving the way, device manufacturers are integrating multiple sensors, and combining these to enable future services. The need for better performance and stronger device specifications, in order to provide service differentiation, are driving the demand for sensor integration. This means the industry will witness greater levels of innovation in terms of MEMS based components and sensors in the mobile device area,” noted report author Nitin Bhas.
As components such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and microphones reach high levels of adoption, MEMS cameras will begin to hit the market in the next 12-24 months.
Recently, DigitalOptics demonstrated a camera module based on MEMS actuator capable of multiple points of focus at the Mobile World Congress 2013 in Barcelona.
Juniper Research provides research and analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector, providing consultancy, analyst reports and industry commentary.
