Next-Generation MEMS 2026-2036: Markets, Technologies, and Players

Emerging MEMS innovations in inertial sensing, gravimetry, and speaker technology. Granular 10-year market forecasts with player coverage, performance benchmarking, and competing technologies.

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MEMS is a US$15 billion industry with mature markets. What comes next?
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are devices that combine electrical and mechanical components on a microscopic scale. This umbrella term includes a vast array of devices that serve an equally wide array of applications. Airbag sensors that detect when a vehicle crashes, inkjet printheads, RF sensors, microphones, and pressure sensors are just a small sample of mature MEMS. While a broad category, MEMS are unified by their manufacturing process, which typically employs the same bulk-fabrication processes onto silicon wafers as seen in the semiconductor industry. This US$15 billion industry has grown and reached maturity in many sectors, but what are the technologies on the horizon that could be the next big leap forward for MEMS?
 
This report by IDTechEx focuses on the cutting-edge next-generation MEMS technologies that are preparing to disrupt the industry, highlighting 3 key areas:
  • Advanced MEMS IMUs
  • MEMS Gravimeters
  • MEMS Speakers
 
In each section, the underlying technology is covered as well as key players, incumbent options, rival disruptive technologies, market dynamics, and granular market forecasts provide comprehensive coverage of these emerging sectors.
 
Advanced MEMS IMUs. Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) are sensors that are integral to modern-day navigational systems. From the high-end precision demands of satellites and planes all the way to basic gesture control units in modern smartphones, IMUs allow precise location tracking and position by integrating acceleration and angular rate data. Currently, MEMS gyroscopes (the angular rate sensing component) limit all-MEMS IMU performance and force manufacturers to rely on alternative, more complex technologies (such as fiber optic gyroscopes). This report breaks down emerging MEMS gyro designs that could unlock an all-MEMS navigational-grade IMU, and what this would mean for the industry and navigation as a whole.
 
An overview of the technology landscape of high-end inertial gyroscopes. Source: IDTechEx.
 
MEMS Gravimeters Although gravity is typically quoted as 9.8 m/s2, the true value varies significantly. Buried underground assets, cavities, and resources all alter the local value of gravity, and the ability to monitor tiny deviations in gravity could unlock a new dimension to sensing. Gravity is acceleration, so an extremely precise accelerometer can provide a highly accurate local gravitational field value. The challenge has been reducing the intrinsic 'noise-floor' of such sensors, and IDTechEx focuses on the key enabling technologies to reduce this noise-floor. The use of Geometric Anti-springs (GAS) is an emerging approach gaining some commercial traction that artificially softens the springs and was first pioneered in gravitational wave detection. IDTechEx also benchmarks various prototypes and examines the player landscape and commercial applicability of MEMS gravimeters.
 
MEMS Speakers. Consumer electronics have been a hotbed for MEMS innovation for decades. The desire for smaller, more efficient, cheaper components has led to the adoption of MEMS microphones, accelerometers, and gyros within smartphones. The
speaker driver could be next. Conventional speaker drivers require manual assembly of permanent magnet coils and diaphragms, which is not only labor-intensive but also limits the size to which speaker drivers can be miniaturized.
 
Will MEMS speakers follow the path of MEMS microphones and come to dominate the consumer electronics market? A key barrier to overcome has been the performance of MEMS speaker chips at low frequencies, as the fundamental physics of sound makes producing a large volume from a small diameter challenging. This report breaks down several approaches, including ultrasonic amplitude modulation, and then benchmarks a dozen different MEMS speaker models, comparing SPL (Sound Pressure Level, volume) across the audible frequency band, revealing large differences in model performance.
 
An overview of transduction methods of a MEMS speaker. Source: IDTechEx.
 
A mix of big players and small startups
The existing MEMS landscape is largely dominated by major companies such as Bosch Sensortech who produce billions of units a year. MEMS benefit enormously from economies of scale, but this does not mean smaller companies cannot enter the space. Many startups adopt a fabless model, where core system design is conducted in-house but fabrication is externalized to a 3rd party (such as TSMC). The MEMS speaker landscape, in particular, is dominated by small fabless startups.
 
The high-end inertial sensor market is different from consumer MEMS in that it is dominated by aerospace majors. Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, and Safran comprise the 'big-3' in inertial sensing, focused on producing sensors for aircraft, satellites, and defense applications.
 
The importance of CSWaP
CSWaP (Cost, Size, Weight, and Power) is one of the key performance matrices that must be optimized. To shift to a MEMS system, performance over the incumbent technology must be demonstrated in a manner that does not adversely affect the CSWaP.
 
Market outlook
IDTechEx provides granular 10-year forecasts for high-end inertial sensors (RLG, HRG, FOG, MEMS/Advanced MEMS), MEMS gravimeters, and MEMS speakers, both for unit shipments and market value. Breaking down the next-generation MEMS market reveals substantial opportunities for growth in inertial sensing and consumer electronics.
Key Aspects
This report provides critical market intelligence about emerging and next-generation MEMS technologies and applications.
 
A review of the context and technology MEMS and an industry overview.
High-end inertial measurement units (IMUs)
  • In-depth coverage of MEMS accelerometers, gyroscopes, and gravimeters. Assessment of competing technologies in high-end inertial sensing including; RLG (Ring Laser Gyros), Fibre Optic Gyros (FOGs), and existing MEMS architectures.
  • Drivers towards navigational-grade gyros, and relevant performance metrics.
  • Advanced MEMS gyro architectures and manufacturing methods.
  • MEMS gravimeters, including geometric anti-spring (GAS) and vibrating beam accelerometers (VBAs)
  • IMU market assessment, growth drivers, and granular forecasts by technology.
 
MEMS speaker drivers
  • Motivations and challenges to shift to a MEMS platform.
  • Transduction types, piezoelectric, electrostatic, electroacoustic, and thermoacoustic.
  • Player coverage of key companies in the MEMS speaker space.
  • Technology benchmarking and assessment, including SPL/frequency response comparisons.
  • Granular market forecasts by application.
Report MetricsDetails
Historic Data2020 - 2025
CAGRThe global high-end inertial sensor market will grow at a CAGR of 4% until 2036, reaching US$6.5 billion in 2036 compared with US$4 billion in 2024. MEMS Speakers will grow at a CAGR of 44% between 2026 and 2036.
Forecast Period2026 - 2036
Forecast UnitsVolume (units), $US millions (revenue)
Regions CoveredWorldwide
Segments CoveredHigh-end Inertial Sensors: MEMS gravimeters, MEMS accelerometers, MEMS gyroscopes, Advanced MEMS Gyroscopes, Ring Laser Gyros (RLG), Fiber Optic Gyros (FOG), Hemispherical Resonator Gyros (HRG), MEMS Speaker Drivers
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1.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1.MEMS Executive Summary
1.2.What are MEMS?
1.3.MEMS Categorization
1.4.Report Scope (1)
1.5.Report Scope (2)
1.6.Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs): An introduction
1.7.Application Grades of IMUs
1.8.IMU Market Landscape
1.9.High-End IMU Market is Dominated by the Big-3
1.10.Accelerometer Application Landscape
1.11.Gyroscope Landscape Evolution
1.12.Defense Spending Rises Globally
1.13.High-end Inertial Measurement Unit Forecast
1.14.Long-term Opportunities in the IMU Market
1.15.Why Shift to MEMS Speaker Drivers?
1.16.Overview of MEMS Speaker Transduction Types
1.17.Summary of Generalized MEMS Speaker Transduction Types
1.18.MEMS Speaker Industry Overview
1.19.Frequency Response Benchmarking
1.20.Addressable Markets for MEMS Speakers
1.21.MEMS Speaker Forecasting Overview (1)
1.22.MEMS Speaker Forecasting Overview (2)
1.23.Access More With an IDTechEx Subscription
2.MEMS INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
2.1.What are MEMS?
2.2.MEMS Categorization
2.3.Report Scope (1)
2.4.Report Scope (2)
3.INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEMS
3.1.Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs): An introduction
3.2.INS Technology Landscape
3.3.Application Grades of IMUs
3.4.IMU Key Applications
3.5.IMU Market Landscape
3.6.High-End IMU Market is Dominated by the Big-3
3.7.Navigation by Dead Reckoning
3.8.Drift Accumulation
3.9.Example Drift Accumulation
3.10.MEMS Can be High-Cost
3.11.Navigation in GNSS Denied-Environments
3.12.Quantum Sensors Emerging as Competition for MEMS
3.13.IMU Breakdown Summary
4.MEMS ACCELEROMETERS
4.1.MEMS Accelerometers Overview
4.2.Accelerometer Application Landscape
4.3.Accelerometers for Navigation
4.4.Gravimetry
4.5.Gravimetry for Geo-Physical Surveying
4.6.Incumbent Commercial Gravimeters
4.7.Gravimetry-Based Navigation
4.8.Siesmometry/Vibration Monitoring
4.9.Summary of Accelerometer Applications
4.10.Performance Metrics of an Accelerometer
4.11.Routes to Improving Accelerometer Performance
4.12.MEMS Mass-Spring Accelerometers
4.13.Displacement Based MEMS Accelerometers
4.14.Transverse Comb Capacitive Accelerometer
4.15.Lateral Comb Capacitive Accelerometer
4.16.Closed Loop Accelerometers
4.17.Simple Harmonic Motion and System Damping
4.18.Accelerometer Noise in Spring-Mass Systems
4.19.Geometric Anti-Spring Accelerometers
4.20.GAS Design (1)
4.21.Geometric Anti-Spring (GAS) Design (2)
4.22.GAS Accelerometers Readout Options
4.23.GAS Gravimeters Benchmarking
4.24.Challenges with GAS MEMS
4.25.Innoseis Sensor Technologies Heads to the Moon
4.26.MEMS Resonant Beam Accelerometers
4.27.Resonant Based Accelerometer
4.28.Differential Sensing in VBAs
4.29.Silicon Microgravity VBA
4.30.Chip-Scale MEMS Gravimeters Require Gimballing
4.31.MEMS Thermal Accelerometers
4.32.Thermal MEMS Accelerometers
4.33.MEMSIC
4.34.Silicon Photonic Optical MEMS Accelerometers
4.35.Whispering Gallery Mode Resonator
4.36.Next-Gen MEMS Accelerometers Industry Landscape
4.37.Industry Overview
4.38.MEMS Novel Accelerometers Industry Landscape
4.39.Operating principles of atomic interferometry-based quantum gravimeters
4.40.MEMS Gravimeter Forecast Summary
4.41.MEMS Gravimeters Units
4.42.MEMS Gravimeters Market Value
5.MEMS GYROSCOPES
5.1.MEMS Gyroscopes Overview (1)
5.2.MEMS Gyroscopes Overview (2)
5.3.Gyroscope Technology Landscape
5.4.Gyroscope Market Landscape
5.5.Performance Metrics for Gyroscopes
5.6.Ring Laser Gyroscopes
5.7.Fibre Optic Gyroscopes
5.8.Hemispherical Resonator Gyroscopes
5.9.AIRS - Ultimate Gyro Performance
5.10.MEMS Gyroscopes
5.11.Coriolis Vibratory Gyroscopes
5.12.CVG Tuning Fork Implementations
5.13.Emerging Vibratory Gyro Architectures
5.14.High-End MEMS Gyroscopes Improving...
5.15.But RLG and HRG Retain Performance Advantage
5.16.Where Next for MEMS Gyroscopes?
5.17.Routes to Improve MEMS Gyroscope Performance
5.18.Noise in MEMS Gyroscopes
5.19.Isolation Packaging for MEMS Gyros
5.20.Patent Landscape of Emerging MEMS Gyros
5.21.μHRG
5.22.MEMS HRG
5.23.Approaches to μHRG Manufacturing
5.24.Microscale Glassblowing
5.25.Blowtorch Blowing and Deposition
5.26.3D Printing (PμSL) for μHRG
5.27.Magneton AU Sputtering
5.28.Materials for μHRG
5.29.Manufacturing Overview for μHRG
5.30.Summary of Manufacturing Methods for μHRG
5.31.Patent Landscape of μHRGs
5.32.Significant Chinese Player Presence in Patent Landscape
5.33.Commercial Activity in μHRGs
5.34.μHRG Offers a Significant Leap for MEMS Gyros
5.35.IMU Key Applications
5.36.High-end MEMS Gyros Applications
5.37.Is There a Market for High-End MEMS Gyros
5.38.Quantum Gyroscopes on the Horizon as Competition
6.IMU FORECASTS
6.1.IMU Forecast Summary
6.2.Defense Spending Rises Globally
6.3.IMU Demand Autonomous Vehicles
6.4.Humanoid Robotics
6.5.Gyroscope Landscape Evolution
6.6.Gyroscope Technology Market Shares
6.7.IMU Forecasts, 2025-2036 (1)
6.8.IMU Forecasts, 2025-2036 (2)
6.9.IMU Forecasts, 2025-2036 (3)
6.10.Long-term Opportunities in the IMU Market
7.MEMS SPEAKERS
7.1.MEMS Speakers Executive Summary
7.2.Audible Hearing Range
7.3.MEMS Microphones
7.4.Adoption of MEMS Microphones
7.5.Incumbent Speaker Drivers
7.6.Why Shift to MEMS Drivers?
7.7.Challenges with MEMS Speakers
7.8.Difference in Driver Size - Conventional Drivers vs MEMS
7.9.Overview of MEMS Speaker Transduction Types
7.10.Summary of Generalized MEMS Speaker Transduction Types
7.11.Membrane Material Choices
7.12.Weight and Stiffness of Membrane Materials
7.13.Stiffness-to-Weight Ratio and Damping
7.14.Material Selection Differs for MEMS
7.15.Solutions to MEMS Challenges
7.16.Piezoelectric MEMS Speakers
7.17.Piezoelectric Transducer
7.18.Piezoelectric Materials
7.19.Piezoelectric Materials Are Heavier than Alternatives
7.20.Thin Film Deposition of Piezoelectric Materials
7.21.USound's Approach to Achieving Larger SPL
7.22.Electrostatic MEMS Speakers
7.23.Electrostatic Transducer
7.24.Ultrasonic Amplitude Modulation
7.25.Nanoscopic Electrostatic Drive from Bosch
7.26.Electromagnetic and Thermoacoustic MEMS Speakers
7.27.Electrodynamic/Magnetic Transducer
7.28.Thermoacoustic Transducer
7.29.Industry Landscape
7.30.MEMS Industry Landscape (1)
7.31.MEMS Industry Landscape (2)
7.32.MEMS Players and Foundry Partners
7.33.MEMS Players and ODM Partners
7.34.MEMS Speaker Players and Commercial Partners (1)
7.35.MEMS Speaker Players and Commercial Partners (2)
7.36.MEMS Speaker Benchmarking
7.37.Frequency Response and Harman Curves
7.38.Other Performance Metrics
7.39.MEMS Speakers Bandwidth's
7.40.Frequency Response Benchmarking
7.41.MEMS Speakers and the Harman Curve
7.42.Resonance and Breakup Frequencies
7.43.Resonance Frequency Benchmarking
7.44.SPL and Diaphragm Area
7.45.Emerging Applications for PiezoMEMS
7.46.Active Thermal Management with Piezoelectric MEMS
7.47.Active Cooling vs TIM
7.48.Forecasting
7.49.Addressable Markets for MEMS Speakers
7.50.MEMS Speaker Forecasts (1)
7.51.MEMS Speaker Forecasts (2)
7.52.MEMS Speaker Forecasts (3)
7.53.MEMS Speaker Forecasts (4)
8.MARKET FORECASTS
8.1.MEMS Gravimeters Forecasts (Units)
8.2.MEMS Gravimeters Market Value
8.3.Gyroscope Technology Market Shares
8.4.IMU Forecasts, 2025-2036 (1)
8.5.IMU Forecasts, 2025-2036 (2)
8.6.IMU Forecasts, 2025-2036 (3)
8.7.Long-term Opportunities in the IMU Market
8.8.Addressable Markets for MEMS Speakers
8.9.MEMS Speaker Forecasts (1)
8.10.MEMS Speaker Forecasts (2)
8.11.MEMS Speaker Forecasts (3)
8.12.MEMS Speaker Forecasts (4)
 

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MEMS Speakers to be worth more than US$2.7 billion by 2036.

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Slides 211
Forecasts to 2036
Published Jun 2025
 

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