Sensors in Wearables and Mobile: The Many Players

The markets for wearable devices, smartphones and tablet PCs are large and growing quickly.  By 2018 sensor sales into mobile devices and wearables will reach $28.3 billion.  There are over 75 sensor vendors targeting these markets.  More sensors are being designed in which enable new features and functions. 

In its most recent report, “Sensors in Wearables and Mobile: The Many Players”, Semico Research examines the large number of sensor vendors, both MEMS and non-MEMS.  Semico has identified 11 MEMS-type and 12 non-MEMS type sensors used in wearables, smartphones and tablet PCs.  The technologies and suppliers presented may also be used in other applications.

This report presents the forecasts for the end use markets and the adoption rates of different sensors.  Sensor fusion is a major driver.  This technology is a combination of software and hardware.  The data from an increasing number of sensors drives further innovation as device manufacturers look to develop more context awareness and other applications such as improved motion tracking, gesture recognition, navigation, augmented reality and biometrics.

“Both MEMS and non-MEMS sensors are complementary in wearables and mobile devices,” said Tony Massimini, Semico’s Chief of Techonology.  “But there is also competition as some MEMS sensors are likely to replace non-MEMS sensors.”  The report, “Sensors in Wearables and Mobile: The Many Players”, examines the top vendors and the breadth of their product offerings.  However, there are many small and emerging companies which are addressing specialized technologies such as environmental and biological factors.  The report includes the many vendors across the wide variety of sensors available.  Semico presents the TAM by sensor type for each of these markets.  The competitive landscape is also discussed and how this will impact future developments.

Some of the findings include:

• The total number of mobile and wearable devices will grow to 2.9 billion units by 2018.
• The average number of sensors per device will grow from 10 in 2014 to 13 in 2018.
• There are over 75 sensor vendors targeting mobile and wearable devices.
• MEMS microphones is the leading sensor type by volume

Among the companies presented in this report are: ams AG, Atmel, Bosch, Fairchild, Fingerprint Cards AB, Freescale, InvenSense, Kionix, Knowles, Maxim, mc10, muRata, NeuroSky, PixArt, Rohm, Silicon Labs, STMicroelectronics, Synaptics, and many more.  Semico also examines companies which have an impact on this ecosystem such as Audience, Infineon, PNI Sensor, Sensor Platforms, Movea, Hillcrest Labs and Apple.