Motion Sensor: A Necessity That Has Become Inseverable From Our Daily Lives

Way back in 1984 MIT professor and founder of the MIT Media LabNicholas Negroponte had envisaged there will exist a touch-based interface that would facilitate the interaction with sensitive displays using our fingertips which are essentially a low-frequency stylus. Again, Paul Saffo, a Silicon Valley-based technology forecaster stated that if the 1980s were all about processing and its subsequent perfection, the 1990s would be about the access to data that would be offered by the behemothic internet, last but not the least from the onset of the millennium the computer revolution trajectory would be geared towards a rapid integration of sensors leading to a more interactive experience. Fast-forwarding to the present day the motion sensors have become inseverable from our daily lives.

Technological advancements have changed the ways we exist and the manner in which we think. When referring to thinking the concept of convenience is being spoken about. This concept is being increasingly redefined by new sorts of technological integration in our daily lives. In view of the above, there are a plethora of applications and end-use industries where motion sensors are rapidly finding its application. It is one of the major components in the growing securities and safeties segment that has its application a variety of field that ranges from automotive, through residential establishments to industrial setups. On the basis of technology, the motion sensor market can be segmented into dual technology, infrared, microwave, tomographic, ultrasonic and vibration. Moreover, on the basis industry vertical this market is segmented into automotive, consumer electronics, healthcare and industrial.

Then What is a Motion Sensor?

An electronic device that is primarily designed with the objective to detect and measure movement. They primarily find their applications in a variety of applications as mentioned above. Moreover, they are also used in game consoles, paper towel dispensers, phones, virtual reality systems. Motion sensors have a distinctive feature of being embedded within other larger systems. The parts that complete the motion sensor system are mainly the sensor unit, the accompanying hardware, and an embedded processing unit. These three integral parts are available in a variety of configuration and sizes and can be utilized to perform tailor-made and specific functions that range from alerting the police, trigger alarms as well as activating floodlights. Motion sensors are basically of two types active and passive. In the case of the active motion sensors, they are equipped with both transmitters and receivers. In such types, the mechanism is triggered by a sudden change in sound or radiation that reflects into the receiver. Further, the alteration in the sensor field also sends a pulse to the embedded computer that in turn communicates the mechanical component. Ultrasonic sensors, microwave sensors, and tomographic sensors are all encompassed in this category of motion sensors.

measuring changes in the amount of sound or radiation reflecting into the receiver. When an object interrupts or alters the sensor’s field, an electric pulse is sent to the embedded computer, which in turn interacts with the mechanical component.

On the other hand, in a passive motion sensor, the transmitter component is absent. Its mechanism is triggered by a perceived increase in ambient radiation. Passive infrared sensor (PIR) sensors are the most widely used type of sensors in-home security system where passive motion sensors primarily find its application. The difference in the field of radiation created by an intruder triggers this sort of sensor.

The Plausible Drivers of the Motion Sensors Market

The diffusion from the lab to the marketplace of several products due to a shift in price and availability has been one of the major reasons that have been fueling the growth of the motion sensors market. One of the key contributors to this market is the growing adoption and voluminous increase of mobile phones. At the heydays, the mobile phones had started incorporating gyroscopes and accelerometers so as to enable the cellular device users to understand their position.  However, if you pick up a cellular device randomly today, you will find a host of sensors magnetic sensors as well as proximity sensors that would keep the touchscreen inactive when on call, ambient light sensors to adjust the screen brightness, heart rate sensors. 

Due to the increased demand in smartphones, the various motion sensors became cost-effective started increasingly being integrated into devices such as drones, fitness trackers, game controllers, robotic, cleaners, smart appliances, and smartwatches and so on. This sudden widening of its application has aided the motion sensor segment to evolve and anticipate consumer habits to provide a better and intuitive experience.

The key Developments of the Motion Sensor Market

The motion-sensing market has witnessed some turning points in the various application that are being mentioned below:

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) the world leader in lighting that acquired WiZ Connected in 2019 that had developed WiZ Wi-Fi-based connected lighting ecosystem, has recently (In January 2020) announced a new remote control and a motion sensor for its portfolio of WiFi lights. Further, with its integration of motion-sensing capabilities, consumers can expect to experience versatility in the capabilities of the light of triggering predefined lighting modes as well as the ability to automatically turning off lights.

Further, Xsens a provider of 3D motion tracking technology, in January 2020 has announced the launch of Xsens DOTwhich is a wearable sensor development platform catering particularly to sports and healthcare as an enabler for the development of new applications faster. The platform would utilize sensor fusion algorithm technology that is used in high-end motion tracking applications, such as 3D animation, thus contributing to the growing area of the Internet of Moving Things, IoMT. Thus it can be insinuated with certitude that due to continuous development in the semiconductor industry the motion sensor market is poised to be benefited in unprecedented ways.

Furthermore, the growing interest in governments of the world and rising partnerships and agreements with private players is further going to fuel the market for motion sensors during the forecast period.