The market for motion sensor devices in smartphones and tablets is set to nearly double over the next five years, according to a new IHS iSuppli MEMS & Sensors Special Report.
The motion sensor category consists of a range of products, including microelectromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometers, MEMS gyroscopes, electronic compasses-also known as 3-axis magnetometers and MEMS pressure sensors.
Global revenue from motion sensor technology in smartphones and tablets will expand to $2.1bn in 2015, up from $1.1bn in 2011.
According to the report, global smartphone shipments are set to soar to 1.03 billion units in 2015, up from 294 million in 2010.
Meanwhile, media tablet shipments are expected to rise to 275.3 million units in 2015, up from 17.4 million in 2010.
Given this rapid growth, a total of 4 billion motion sensors will ship in smartphones and media tablets in 2015, up nearly fivefold from 864 million in 2010.
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Accelerometers and compasses already are nearly ubiquitous in smartphones, with 95% and 96% penetration, respectively, in 2011.
IHS estimates that 29% of smartphones will include a gyroscope, up from 13% in 2011.
Pressure sensors are emerging in the second half of 2011 and will experience increasing demand in high-end smartphones starting in 2013 for use in indoor navigation applications.
In the media tablet space, the combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes and compasses is standard in 2011, says the IHS report.
