Internet of Things: A Promising Future for Sensors

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

The MEMS & sensor offering has never been so diverse. Inertial, pressure, temperature, (bio-)chemical and gas sensors as well as microphones, fingerprint and iris recognition. All devices are part of the IoT revolution.

Yole Développement (Yole) analysts are currently noting plenty of excitement within the MEMS & Sensors sector. Dream or reality: what is the status of IoT applications? 

As an example, wearable technologies were expected to play a key role within IoT development, bringing useful information directly to the user in a natural, friendly way. According to Yole’s 2015 technology & market report, Sensors for Wearable Electronics & Mobile Healthcare, the wearable industry was originally supposed to reach 295 million units by 2020, with a market value of US$95 billion. However, a consumer market slowdown, half-baked products and a lack of use cases have limited the popularity of wearables and reduced the potential value of this market in 2020.

While waiting for new generations of better adapted wearable devices, that will drive the market to a bright future, two other IoT market segments should also drive this growth: healthcare and industry. The healthcare market (including hearing aids, blood pressure monitors, back monitor sensors, etc.) is expected to grow at a moderate rate. Regarding the industrial market, Yole announces steady growth through to 2019, with a significant uptick commencing in 2020.

Looking further ahead, wearable is not the only way to think IoT. Indeed, building/home automation, industry, and the environment, etc. are also part of the IoT landscape. Smart homes and buildings are part of the global IoT market. As the number of households is growing twice as fast as the number of people worldwide, twice as many resources are needed to heat and cool them. Moreover, security and wellness are also becoming more and more important to the people living in these homes. Multiple connected sensors (including infrared, air quality, visible imagers, smart thermostats, etc.) and associated services will be key for energy savings and increased security in the smart homes and buildings of the future.

This sector already attracts many sensor makers, systems integrators and big Webcoms.

In this context, Fraunhofer EMFT and Yole are pursuing their collaboration and have announced the second MEMS & Sensors seminar focused on MEMS & Sensors technologies for IoT applications:

Yole and Fraunhofer EMFT teams have combined their expertise to organise this second MEMS & Sensors seminar. Taking place in early July, the seminar will be dedicated to the critical role of sensors for the success of connected devices for IoT applications. IoT is a complex, technology-mixing ecosystem. From devices to modules including connectivity, platforms, storage, servers, analytics software and IT services, IoT is part of our daily life. Therefore, the close adoption to the daily life via easy to use and smart user interfaces is essential. Consequently, beyond general framework conditions, trust, security and privacy will be key. Smart sensors embedded in connected devices will become the backbone of a variety of applications, from communications, the automotive industry and manufacturing to logistics and health care.

The Yole and Fraunhofer EMFT seminar will feature presentations on technology requirements and the latest trends in sensor fusion. It will also discuss production challenges and provide updates on applications for sensors, on the way to the "Next Big Thing". This seminar has been designed to ensure the best possible interaction between participants, speakers and the organising committee. Its programme includes three sessions (Industrial IoT & Building Automation – Future of Automotive) as well as two panel sessions and several networking periods!

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to host the “Promising Future of Sensors for IoT” event and work together with Yole to make it happen”, comments Prof. Christoph Kutter, Director of Fraunhofer EMFT. “Bringing together the players and experts on the MEMS and sensor arena is an important contribution to shaping the future of IoT. We are looking forward to exciting presentations and lively discussions from various angles to this fascinating topic.”

“The “Promising Future of Sensors for IoT” seminar is the result of a powerful collaboration between Yole and Fraunhofer EMFT, a great combination of technical know-how and market expertise,” says Jean-Christophe Eloy, President & CEO, Yole Développement. He adds, “This event represents a wonderful opportunity for MEMS & sensor manufacturers, equipment and materials suppliers and more, to understand the technical and market issues and expand their activities towards the IoT world.”

Yole and Fraunhofer EMFT are extremely enthusiastic about their “The Promising Future of Sensors for IoT” seminar. The partners will be welcoming all the key IoT players, including Aryballe, Bosch Sensortec, Elichens, EnOcean First Sensor, Fraunhofer EMFT, NXP Semiconductors, STMicroelectronics, System Plus Consulting, Yole Développement and more.