Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Market Size, Share, Analysis, Trends, Growth, 2032

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Industry Prospective:

The global Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) market size was worth around USD 23.99 billion in 2023 and is predicted to grow to around USD 60.86 billion by 2032 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 10.9% between 2024 and 2032.

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Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Market: Overview

An inertial measurement unit (IMU) is an electronic device that uses a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes, and occasionally magnetometers to measure and report a body's specific force, angular rate, and occasionally orientation. IMUs are called IMMUs when the magnetometer is one of the components. Modern vehicles, such as motorbikes, missiles, and airplanes (an attitude and heading reference system), which includes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), among many others, and spacecraft, such as satellites and landers, are generally maneuvered by IMUs. GPS devices with an IMU can now be produced due to recent advancements. When GPS signals are absent, as they are in tunnels, buildings, or situations with electrical interference, an IMU enables a GPS receiver to function.

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 10.9% over the forecast period (2024-2032).
• In terms of revenue, the global Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) market size was valued at around USD 23.99 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 60.86 billion by 2032.
• The increasing demand from the aerospace sector is expected to drive the global Inertial Measurement Unit market growth over the forecast period.
• Based on the components, the gyroscopes segment is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period.
• Based on the grade, the navigation grade segment is expected to hold a prominent market share over the projected period.
• Based on region, North America is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.

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Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Market: Growth Drivers

Technological advancements drive market growth

One of the primary factors influencing the Inertial Measurement Unit market is the advancement of technology in the design and manufacturing processes. Leaders in the industry, such as STMicroelectronics NV and InvenSense, have developed combination sensors that combine gyroscopes and accelerometers into a small, 10x10 square meter device. These sensors use sensor fusion software to provide features like free-fall detection, step counting, gesture recognition, automatic screen rotation, and personal navigation. By reducing the constraints of individual sensors, the fusion improves the precision of orientation and location data. In addition, some combo sensors are less expensive to produce than isolated sensors. IMU sensor shipments are expected to exceed discrete sensor shipments based on projected adoption trends. Prolonged R&D expenditure by major IMU suppliers foresees more sophisticated versions, driving the expansion of the worldwide IMU market via improved production techniques.

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Market: Restraints

Challenges in the protection of MEMS components hinder market growth

It is difficult to safeguard MEMS IMU sensor internal components in tough mounting situations when there are heat, moisture, and corrosive compounds present. Micromachined gyroscopes are extremely challenging to create, commercialize, and package because of their sensitivity to manufacturing and environmental fluctuations. A robust MEMS sensing device is needed to guarantee maximum performance at a reasonable cost. Because MEMS-packaged modules are more robust than other modules, packaging these components is also more complicated.

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Market: Opportunities

Growing product launch offers a lucrative opportunity for market growth

The growing product launch is expected to offer a lucrative opportunity for the Inertial Measurement Unit industry growth during the forecast period. For instance, in June 2024, an energy-efficient, long-lasting industrial inertial measurement device was released by STMicroelectronics. With product longevity assurance, ST's Qvar electric charge variations sensing, edge AI processing, and an analog hub for sensor extension are combined in the STMicroelectronics ISM330BX 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) to provide energy-efficient industrial sensing and motion tracking applications. The IMU has a 3-axis accelerometer and gyroscope with a low-noise architecture and a bandwidth of up to 2 kHz, making it appropriate for vibration detection in machine-tool condition monitoring applications. Motion trackers, intelligent appliances, automated guided vehicles (AGV), and residential and industrial robots are further use cases.

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Market: Challenges

Competition from alternative technology poses a major challenge to market expansion

The use of IMUs for navigation and positioning may be lessened in many applications by the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies, which offer an alternative or complementary solution. Furthermore, other technologies that compete with IMUs in industries like robotics and autonomous vehicles, like optical and vision-based systems, can provide great precision for certain applications.

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Market: Segmentation

The global Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) industry is segmented based on component, grade, technology, industry vertical, and region.

Based on the component, the global Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) market is bifurcated into gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers. The gyroscopes segment is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period. A major source of income is the commonplace integration of gyroscopes for features like screen rotation, gaming, augmented reality, and fitness tracking in smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and other wearable technology. Furthermore, the IMU market has undergone a revolution due to the advent of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) gyroscopes. Smaller, less expensive, and more power-efficient gyroscopes are made possible by MEMS technology and are widely employed in consumer electronics, automotive applications, and other fields.

Based on the grade, the global Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) industry is bifurcated into navigation grade, marine grade, tactical grade, space grade, and commercial grade. The navigation grade segment is expected to hold a prominent market share over the projected period. The requirement for high-precision navigation and positioning solutions in aerospace, defense, maritime, automotive, industrial, and space exploration applications is projected to drive significant revenue growth in the navigation-grade IMU market. Modern navigation and positioning systems require navigation-grade IMUs, which will become increasingly necessary due to technological developments and growing acceptance in emerging markets.

Based on the technology, the global Inertial Measurement Unit market is bifurcated into a mechanical gyro, ring laser gyro, fiber optics gyro, MEMS, and others.

Based on the industry vertical, the global Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) industry is bifurcated into automotive, consumer electronics, aerospace & defense, and others.

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Market: Report Scope

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Market: Regional Analysis

North America is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period

North America is expected to dominate the Inertial Measurement Unit market during the forecast period. The region is expected to maintain its dominance due to the presence of major players in the market and the growing usage of cutting-edge technology in a range of industries, including aerospace, defense, and automotive. The growing need for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in both military and commercial applications is another factor driving the demand for IMUs in the region. Additionally, the growing use of drones for a range of applications and the adoption of state-of-the-art navigation systems are driving growth in the IMU market in the area. Besides, the Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the rising smartphone penetration and increasing aerospace sector.

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Market: Competitive Analysis

The global Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) market is dominated by players like:

• STMicroelectronics N.V.
• Honeywell International Inc.
• VectorNav Technologies LLC
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Bosch Sensortec GmbH
• Invensense Inc.
• Analog Devices Inc.
• Safran Group
• Thales Group
• KVH Industries Inc.
• Trimble Navigation Ltd.
• Epson Europe Electronics GmbH
• Gladiator Technologies Inc.
• Moog Inc.
• Xsens Technologies B.V.
• Microchip Technology Inc.
• Sagem (Safran Electronics & Defense)
• Lord Microstrain
• MEMSIC Inc.
• Silicon Sensing Systems Ltd.
• L3 Technologies Inc.
• Rockwell Collins Inc.

The global Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) market is segmented as follows:

By Component

• Gyroscopes
• Accelerometers
• Magnetometers

By Grade

• Navigation Grade
• Marine Grade
• Tactical Grade
• Space Grade
• Commercial Grade

By Technology

• Mechanical Gyro
• Ring Laser Gyro
• Fiber Optics Gyro
• MEMS
• Others

By Industry Vertical

• Automotive
• Consumer Electronics
• Aerospace & Defense
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa