Robotics Revolution Fueled by Latest MEMS & Imaging Technology

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Robotics applications are rapidly becoming ubiquitous across a wide range of industries beyond manufacturing including agriculture, automotive, entertainment, healthcare and logistics. The very heartbeat of these applications are sensors – the devices that monitor a robot’s condition and environment. The global market for robotics sensors is expected to grow from $510 million in 2017 to $840 million in 2022, with Europe leading the way at a 12.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), according to BCC Research. 

Robo-Taxis – A New Industry Emerges Around Robotic Vehicle Technologies 

With the massive potential market for autonomous vehicles, it’s no surprise that companies like Baidu, Lyft, Uber and Waymo have started to develop driverless taxis over the past several years. Their strategic partners across the automotive supply chain such as BMW, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Mercedes, Renault-Nissan, and Volvo have also announced plans to enter into the market.

Robotic taxis might be hitting the roads sooner than you think. Research firm Yole Développement recently reported that “2018 will most probably be the initial launch year for robotic taxis in several cities around the globe.” While only a few hundred robo-taxis were in production worldwide in 2017, Yole “expects annual production volumes to reach 23.1 million units – a healthy 58% CAGR – over the next 15 years.” By 2032, total revenue for robotic vehicle sensing hardware is forecast to skyrocket to $77 billion in 2032.

In January, a consortium consisting of Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors announced plans to form partnerships to drive their push into shared robo-taxis. The group plans to announce the partners in coming months, said Ogi Redzic, senior vice president, Connected Vehicles and Mobility Services, at the alliance. Redzic oversees about 1,000 employees who are developing connectivity services for the group. 

One technology underpinning robo-taxis and other autonomous vehicles is CMOS image sensors. Today’s autonomous driving camera systems use CMOS image sensors, in conjunction with radar systems, to precisely evaluate vehicle speed, distance from stationary and moving objects and the contours of obstacles. With the huge volume of indiscriminate environmental information captured, the camera system quickly becomes the bottleneck. To clear this choke point, designers are developing new approaches like advanced neuromorphic vision systems to collect data only within a limited sphere and of the greatest significance, enabling sensors to more quickly home in on moving objects such as unexpected bicycles or pedestrians crossing the street. 

With the autonomous vehicle vertical market a key driver of semiconductor industry growth, the stage is set for SEMI and the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group® to showcase the latest MEMS, imaging and sensors advances at the second annual European Imaging and Sensors Summit, co-located with the fourth annual European MEMS & Sensors Summit, 19-21 September, 2018 in Grenoble. The Grenoble area is known as “Imaging Valley” because France’s imaging companies are concentrated there. 

The two events will combine a conference with a common track, a common exhibition area and several networking opportunities to help participants strengthen the links between the two essential technologies used in most emerging robotics applications. 

To register for the event please click here. Registration gives attendees access to both programs, exhibition space, business-to-business matchmaking and networking opportunities.