Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Market Size, Share, Growth & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Component (Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer), By Technology (Mechanical Gyro, Ring Laser Gyro, Fiber Optics GYRO, MEMS, Others), By Platform (Airborne, Ground, Maritime), By End-user (Aerospace and Defense, Consumer Electronics, Marine/Naval, Automotive, Others), and Regional Forecasts, 2022-2029

The global Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) market size was valued at USD 15.71 billion in 2021. The market is projected to grow from USD 16.41 billion in 2022 to USD 28.37 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.13% during the forecast period. The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with IMU experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. Based on our analysis, the global inertial measurement unit market exhibited a decline of -12.5% in 2020 as compared to 2019.

An IMU device is an electronic device that contains accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers used to measure objects' movement and orientation. The device consists of gyroscopes to measure angular rate and accelerometers to measure and report specific force. It can measure the specific gravity and angular rate of an object to which it is attached. The accelerometer sensors can measure acceleration and velocity. The gyroscope can measure the rotational rate, and the magnetometer is used to measure the magnetic field strength. These sensors can measure any inertial sensor integrated platform's current speed, turn rate, heading, inclination, and acceleration. The device can provide a target location in three-dimensional spaces.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Disruption in Supply Chain Hindered Short-term Growth during COVID-19 Pandemic

• The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions created new opportunities for using the device in different applications such as in Robotics and UAVs considering social distancing norms.


• COVID-19 pandemic impacts have been felt by companies in the resulting political and economic uncertainty in global conditions. The stability of credit and financial markets, decrease in consumer confidence, and decline in customer spending also negatively affected the market.


• Due to supply chain disruptions at different locations, major corporations relating to space programs, satellite manufacturers, automotive industries, and agencies canceled or remodified their programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This factor has impeded the MEMS ecosystem and has impacted the navigation sensors sector. The cancellation of orders has impacted supply chains across regions.


• For reducing the spread of the coronavirus, governments in several nations limited the number of personnel in manufacturing enterprises. As the pandemic restrictions increased, several businesses have suffered financial losses.


• Many companies, including Analog Devices Inc., focused on strategic partnerships and mergers and acquisitions to retain and increase their customer base.


• New York-based firm Eaglehawk developed a way to sanitize large areas against COVID-19 via disinfectant drones.


• Telepresence robots, originally designed for offices, became an invaluable tool for medical workers treating highly infectious diseases such as COVID-19, reducing the risk of contracting the pathogen.


• In the U.S., startup Zipline deployed its fixed-wing autonomous aircraft to connect two medical facilities 17 kilometers apart. 


• Since all these applications require an IMU, the COVID-19 outbreak provided new opportunities for growth.

LATEST TRENDS

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Increasing Demand for Unmanned Systems Led to an Increase in Demand for the Product

Growing adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles for various commercial and military applications such as aerial photography, situation awareness, law & order enforcement, disaster management, relief & rescue operation, and research & development have caused an increase in the market growth.

Smart robotics that operates remotely or operates using sensor technology will help in the increase in demand for inertial measurement devices. Other evolving technologies like Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning have caused an increase in the development of unmanned vehicles. Vehicles with this technology integrated into their autonomous navigation system can move from a base location to a destination by avoiding obstacles. Unmanned vehicles have been increasingly used in various military applications such as fire and bomb fighting, ISR activities, and search and rescue activities using unmanned aerial vehicles.

Drones help in enabling precise flight control and operations in different environments due to their maneuverability and ability to fly at low speed. There has been renewed interest in deploying drones for various commercial and military applications. Within the unmanned aerial vehicle autopilot system, inertial measurement device comprise the collection of sensors used in the Inertial Navigation System (INS). It measures and reports orientation, velocity, and gravitational force to aid navigation and control using the raw measurements. Inertial measurement unit device combined with ultrasonic sensor can map obstructions such as a cliff or wall in a given path that will be passed by a pedestrian. These factors together have been responsible for the growth of the market.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Demand for Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) to Propel Inertial Measurement Unit Market Growth

MEMS is one of the most promising technologies of the 21st century, with the potential to revolutionize industrial and consumer products. It combines silicon-based microelectronics with micromachining technology. The increasing use of MEMS devices in advanced navigation, advanced automotive applications, electronics, communication, defense, and medical sectors is expected to increase the use of the IMU sensor used in MEMS devices.

• During the pandemic, the world witnessed severe chip shortages in the MEMS and IC industries. This factor will drive investment and growth in the industry.


• Increasing applications of wearable devices, such as smart watches monitoring body temperature, breath, and heart rate, are causing the MEMS market to grow.


• The pandemic has boosted the interest in flexible printed sensors due to the increased demand for medical devices to monitor vital functions. The growing relevance of printed sensors and devices in the medical and pharma industry is a major driver for the industry.


• The growth of autonomous vehicles and electric vehicles, the beginning of the adoption of hydrogen power plants, and increased environmental monitoring will facilitate the growth of the MEMS market.


• According to Qeexo, developer of the Qeexo AutoML, and Bosch Sensortec GmbH, ML algorithms created using Qeexo’s AutoML can be deployed on Arduino Nicla Sense ME with Bosch BHI260AP and BME688 sensors. With this, they can be used for monitoring environmental parameters and capturing information embedded in motion such as person-down systems to fitness apps that check posture.

Increasing Demand for Robotic Systems to Boost Inertial Measurement Sensors Adoption

Position and movement information for a robot can be checked with such a device. Inertial measurement unit is also used to control and operate the robot wirelessly. An increase in demand for wireless robot control is a major driver of this market. They can be programmed to perform dangerous or repetitive tasks with consistent precision and accuracy. Thus, industrial robots are increasingly used in a variety of industries and applications. These robots make use of inertial sensors.

Inertial measurement devices with inertial sensors are mainly used in robot applications such as dynamic motion and terrain compensation, payload platform stabilization, and antenna and camera pointing applications.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

As IMU are Prone to Errors, there is Increase in Navigation Errors and Heat Dissipation over a Period of Time

The information on the motion on the IMU’s is transmitted to the Inertial Navigation System (INS). These measurements are used as input in the INS filter. The result of combining this information with GNSS information gives position, velocity, and attitude. Such measurements can be integrated with respect to time. Hence, any errors in the measurements grow over time.

The bias errors, if not removed from the measurement, get integrated twice as part of the mechanization process. Due to this, a constant bias in acceleration becomes a linear error in velocity and a quadratic error in position.

Gyroscopes and accelerometers may be subjected to a change in the bias based on how the sensor experiences acceleration. It is very common in Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) gyroscopes when the mass undergoes acceleration along the sensing axis. These errors can significantly affect navigation.

SEGMENTATION

By Component Analysis

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Accelerometer Segment Held the Highest Market Share in 2021 Due to Increase in Number of Applications Requiring the Use of Accelerometers for Aerospace Sector

By component, the market is segmented into accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer. The accelerometer segment held the largest market share in 2021 due to its use in consumer electronics. An increasing number of autonomous cars, growing expenditure on the aviation sector, and rapid expansion in space technologies in emerging economies such as India and China help boost the inertial measurement unit market growth.

The gyroscope segment is projected to grow with a moderate CAGR. The segment's growth is attributed to the many uses of gyroscopes in the aviation sector. Different flight instruments use the properties of a gyroscope for their operation. The most common instruments containing gyroscopes are the turn coordinator, heading indicator, and attitude indicator.

The magnetometer segment is estimated to be the fastest growing segment. The growing use of these sensors in space exploration programs and autonomous devices is projected to fuel the market growth for space-grade IMU.

By Technology Analysis

Due to Increase in Demand for Space-based Navigation Technologies, there has been an Increase in Demand for Ring Laser Gyro 

Based on technology, the market is classified into mechanical gyro, ring laser gyro, fiber optics gyro, MEMS, and others.

The ring laser gyro segment accounted for the largest market share in 2021. Space applications make use of ring laser gyros. Increasing space programs and activities from emerging economies of the Asia Pacific region will propel the market's growth in this segment.

Ring laser gyros, due to their lightweight and no moving parts, benefit the INS. Using such devices in spacecraft helps them maintain accurate positions in environments where GPS technology cannot be used.

The MEMS segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR throughout the forecast period. The sector's growth can be attributed to the increasing use of miniaturized sensors in automotive applications and smart devices, including wearables.

Fiber optics gyro segment is projected to grow at a moderate CAGR throughout the forecast period. The sector's growth can be attributed to the increasing use of these sensors in motor boats, race cars, and robotics.

Mechanical gyro is used in flight systems such as the INS and Attitude Heading and Reference Systems (AHRS). Rising demand during the forecast period is attributed to increased aircraft deliveries. The segment is projected to grow at a moderate CAGR during the forecast period.

By Platform Analysis

Increasing Focus on Space-based Technologies for Navigation Led to Increasing Adoption of Inertial Measurement Unit for Space Applications

Based on platform, the market is divided into airborne, ground, maritime, and space.

The space segment accounted for the highest share in 2021. The segment is considered using inertial sensors in space-based applications such as satellite navigation systems. Navigation grade provides inertial attitude and velocity data to a spacecraft's guidance, navigation, and control system. On the space shuttle, data is used to convert steering commands into control surface, engine gimbal, and reaction control system thruster fire commands.

The airborne segment is predicted to grow owing to increased demand for air travel across the world and rising military spending on enhancing space-based capabilities. The airborne segment showed the highest CAGR over the forecast period. The air-based platform is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. The increase in this segment is a result of increasing demand for UAVs in various countries.

In the ground segment, the use of inertial sensors in ground-based applications, such as in the automotive segment, smart wearable segment, medical devices, and other applications, has been considered. The accelerometer measures linear acceleration, whereas the gyroscope measures rotational acceleration. The device provides information on current vehicle location and orientation with a known starting location and precise acceleration measurements. The segment is projected to grow at a low to moderate CAGR during the forecast period.

In the maritime segment, the core of the marine INS is IMU devices. It comprises accelerometers, gyroscopes, and depending on the system, magnetometers. This device in the marine segment is used for autonomous surface and underwater navigation. The marine grade segment is projected to grow at a moderate CAGR during the forecast period.

By End-user Analysis

Aerospace and Defense Segment Accounted for the Largest Share due to High Demand for UAV and Aircraft Fleets

Based on end-user, the market is segmented into aerospace and defense, consumer electronics, marine/naval, automotive, and others.

The aerospace and defense segment accounted for the largest share in the market in 2021. These devices are essential for control, navigation guidance and stability of UAVs and aircraft. The increase in demand for UAV and rising aircraft fleets have led to the increasing demand for the product in the aerospace sector.

The automotive segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period with the highest CAGR. Such devices help in assessing location and acceleration measurements in vehicles. The rising use in autonomous cars has facilitated growth of the segment.

The consumer electronics segment is expected to grow at a moderate CAGR. The increasing applications of miniaturized devices using MEMS sensors and the growing interest in new technologies such as smart wearables are surging the demand for inertial navigation units.

The marine/naval segment is projected to grow at a moderate CAGR. The use of inertial measurement sensors for navigation in marine vessels has led to an increase in demand in the marine segment.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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The market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the rest of the world.

North America dominated the market and stood at USD 6.08 billion in 2021. It is projected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period due to high defense spending from the U.S. Department of Defense. According to the U.S. defense budget, the U.S. allocated a budget of USD 782 billion for defense in 2022.

The market in Europe is likely to grow at a moderate rate due to the presence of prominent key players and rise in investment in the latest warfare technologies. Rising defense expenditure from developed countries, such as the U.K., France, Germany, Russia, and others, boosts the market growth.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to increasing expenditure in the space sector from India, China, Japan, and Australia. The Indian defense ministry recently signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to supply advanced fighter aircraft with these capabilities to the Indian Air Force.

The market in the rest of the world will showcase significant growth owing to rising defense spending and procurement of the next generations of aircraft and UAVs by the Middle Eastern countries such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and others. These factors will surge the demand in different regions worldwide.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players Focus on Innovation and Advancements in Technology to Reinforce Market Position

Key manufacturers, such as Analog Devices Inc., General Electric Company, Gladiator Technologies, Honeywell International Inc., Thales Group, Parker Hannifin Corp, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and Robert Bosch GmbH, dominated the market among other players. These players majorly focus on the introduction of advanced solutions for navigation in different operations and business expansion through partnerships and contracts with defense forces.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED 

• Analog Devices Inc. (U.S.)


• Gladiator Technologies (U.S.)


• Honeywell International Inc.(U.S.)


• Parker Hannifin Corp (U.S.)


• General Electric Company (U.S.)


• Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) (Israel)


• Thales Group (France)


• Northrop Grumman Corporation(U.S.)


• Robert Bosch GmbH(Germany)


• Trimble Inc. (U.S.)


• Safran S.A(France)


• TDK Corporation(Japan)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• January 2022- EMCORE Corporation won a continuous development award from a U.S. contractor for finalizing the design and establishing a process for manufacturing high-end inertial measurement unit for tactical grade pods.


• May 2022- Emcore Corporation won new contracts for flight stabilization and navigation grade for multistage space launch vehicles. The company completed its acquisition of L3 Harris Space and navigation business. The contract is included under the Tri-Axial Inertial Measurement Unit (TAIMU) programs for space launch vehicles


• July 2022- Honeywell technologies Inc. and Civitanavi Systems announced a collaboration to develop a new IMU for aerospace customers. The new device HG2800 inertial measurement units are low-cost, low-power solutions for precision pointing and have device stabilization


• February 2021- Inertial Labs announced the acquisition of Memsense. Memsense is a manufacturer of IMU. The acquisition will increase production capabilities of up to 50,000 units annually to meet the needs of large aerospace and defense contracts for guidance and navigation contracts.


• January 2021- Honeywell International Inc., with the aid of DARPA, started creating the next generation of inertial sensor technology for use in commercial and defense navigation applications.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The global inertial measurement unit (IMU) market report provides a detailed analysis of the market. It focuses on key areas such as leading companies, product types, and leading product applications. The report offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the above factors, this report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation