Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Market - Size, Share & Future Analysis

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Market outlook

According to the report by Expert Market Research (EMR), the global inertial measurement unit (IMU) market size reached a value of USD 3.52 billion in 2023. Aided by the increasing demand for precise navigation and control systems across various sectors, the market is projected to further grow at a CAGR of 6.3% between 2024 and 2032 to reach a value of USD 5.06 billion by 2032.

An inertial measurement unit (IMU) is a critical sensor technology that measures and reports a body’s specific force, angular rate, and sometimes the magnetic field surrounding the body, using a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers. They are essential for navigation and control in aerospace, defence, automotive, and consumer electronics sectors, providing accurate data for applications ranging from aircraft flight control to smartphone orientation detection.

The increasing adoption of autonomous vehicles and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) is a primary driver of the global inertial measurement unit (IMU) market growth. With the automotive sector’s shift towards automation and enhanced safety features, there is a growing need for precise navigation and positioning systems, which rely heavily on inertial measurement unit. Additionally, the rising trend of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in commercial and military applications has further contributed to the increasing demand for high-performance inertial measurement unit.

The expanding applications of IMUs in various sectors also play a significant role in propelling the market. In the aerospace industry, they are used in aircraft navigation systems, flight control systems, and missile guidance systems. The defence sector utilises IMUs for navigation and targeting in various military platforms, including tanks, submarines, and guided munitions. Moreover, the growing use of IMUs in consumer electronics, such as smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices, is driving market growth, as these devices rely on IMUs for orientation detection, motion tracking, and augmented reality applications.

The growing adoption of autonomous vehicles and advanced driver-assistance systems is a major driver of the market. These systems rely on precise navigation and positioning data provided by IMUs to ensure safe and efficient operation.

The increasing demand for high-precision navigation and control systems in aerospace and defence applications is propelling the IMU market. IMUs are essential for the accurate functioning of aircraft, missiles, and military vehicles, consequently driving up the inertial measurement unit (IMU) market share.

The rising use of IMUs in consumer electronics, such as smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices, is contributing to market growth. These devices depend on IMUs for orientation detection, motion tracking, and augmented reality applications.

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The trend towards miniaturisation and integration of IMUs with other sensors and systems is driving market growth. Compact and integrated IMUs are increasingly being used in consumer electronics, autonomous vehicles, and wearable devices, offering high performance in a smaller form factor.

Innovations in MEMS technology are enhancing the performance and reducing the cost of IMUs. MEMS-based IMUs are becoming more accurate and reliable, making them suitable for a wider range of applications. The growing use of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in commercial and military applications is driving the demand for high-performance IMUs. These vehicles rely on IMUs for stable flight control and precise navigation.

As per the inertial measurement unit (IMU) market analysis, North America is the largest market, driven by the presence of leading aerospace and defence companies and the growing adoption of autonomous vehicles. A significant market with strong demand from the automotive and aerospace sectors is Europe. Moreover, Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing market, driven by rapid industrialization, increasing consumer electronics adoption, and rising investments in autonomous vehicles.

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Market Segmentation

The market can be divided based on component, technology, grade, platform, end use, and region

Market Breakup by Component

Accelerometers
Gyroscopes
Magnetometers
Others

Material Breakup by Technology

Mechanical Gyro
Ring Laser Gyro
Fibre Optic Gyro
MEMs
Others

Market Breakup by Grade

Marine Grade
Navigation Grade
Tactical Grade
Space Grade
Commercial Grade

Market Breakup by Platform

Airborne
Ground
Maritime
Space

Market Breakup by End Use

Aerospace and Defence
Consumer Electronics
Automotive
Marine/Naval
Others

Market Breakup by Region

North America
Latin America
Asia Pacific
Middle East and Africa
Europe

Competitive landscape

The EMR report looks into the market shares, plant turnarounds, capacities, investments, and mergers and acquisitions, among other major developments, of the leading companies operating in the global inertial measurement unit (IMU) market. Some of the major players explored in the report by expert market research are as follows: