MEMS And Imaging Drive The Sensor Revolution

By Ana Bernardo and Sitong He

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, MEMS and imaging sensor technologies are driving transformative changes across industries, shaping the future of connectivity, intelligence, and sustainability. Powered by advances in miniaturization, AI integration, and sustainable design, MEMS and imaging technologies are enabling groundbreaking applications—from autonomous vehicles to wearable health devices—while addressing urgent global challenges like climate change and energy efficiency.

At the MEMS & Imaging Sensors Summit 2024, Laith Altimime, President of SEMI Europe, emphasized the pivotal role of MEMS and imaging technologies. Setting the stage for discussions on technological breakthroughs and market trends, Altimime remarked, “Sensors are at the heart of the next wave of innovation, enabling unprecedented levels of intelligence that are transforming industries and fostering a smarter, more sustainable, and seamlessly connected future.”

Laith Altimime, President, SEMI Europe

Stefan Finkbeiner, CEO of Bosch Sensortec, underscored in his opening keynote how advanced sensor technologies are enabling life-changing use cases. “Sensors are all around us, though we don’t always notice them,” emphasizing sensors’ ubiquitous role in smartphones, wearables, and hearables. Finkbeiner highlighted miniaturization as a key challenge, noting that even as sensors continue to shrink, they are increasingly integrated with edge AI to enable efficient, local decision-making.

Stefan Finkbeiner, CEO, Bosch Sensortec

Simone Ferri, APMS Group Vice-President and MEMS Sub-Group General Manager at STMicroelectronics, highlighted the pivotal role of sensors as a bridge between the physical and digital world, noting “the most sophisticated machine is the human – so it is best to emulate human capabilities to enable the next generation of devices to accurately measure the parameters of your body.” Ferri stressed the importance of sustainability, advocating for smart, transformative, and precise sensors that provide meaningful data with optimal efficiency. By aligning technological innovation with environmental responsibility, Simone Ferri demonstrated how sensorization can enhance lives while enabling a net-zero transition across industries.

Simone Ferri, APMS Group Vice-President and MEMS Sub-Group General Manager, STMicroelectronics

MEMS growth fueled by piezo materials and electrification

Jean-Christophe Eloy, CEO and President of Yole Group, grounded the discussion in market data, forecasting a 5% CAGR for the MEMS market, which is set to exceed $20 billion by 2029. He highlighted key trends such as the increasing sophistication of automotive sensors—more cameras, higher resolution—and the impact of electrification. On the technology front, Eloy noted a “strong shift towards piezoelectric (piezo) MEMS,” driven by advancement in new materials like Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT), Aluminum Nitride (AIN), and Scandium-doped Aluminum Nitride (ScAIN).

Jean-Christophe Eloy, CEO and President, Yole Group

Alissa Fitzgerald, CEO of A.M. Fitzgerald & Associates explored the expanding roles of MEMS technology in new domains, such as fiber optics for data centers. “Photonics is in the news,” she remarked, highlighting its potential to deliver 40% power savings compared to copper technologies. “MEMS manufacturing is set to evolve by 2030 and beyond,” said Fitzgerald, emphasizing the continued innovation in traditional wafer-based processes through the adoption of advanced thin-film materials like piezoelectrics and GaN. Furthermore, Fitzgerald discussed emerging manufacturing techniques such as 3D-printed MEMS and biodegradable materials to enable low-cost, sustainable sensors.

Alissa Fitzgerald, CEO of A.M. Fitzgerald & Associates

Adding to the conversation on manufacturing, Jessica Gomez, CEO of Rogue Valley Microdevices, shared her perspective on how 300mm-capable MEMS foundries could “change the game,” improving production efficiency and lowering costs. Gomez also outlined the unique challenges of MEMS manufacturing, including the need for custom processes and the high-mix, low-volume nature of production.

Advancing smart mobility through interoperable networks

Smart mobility gained significant traction as Patrice Ancel, In-Vehicle Technologies Leader at BMW, tackled the intricacies of in-vehicle networking. Ancel shed light on the complexities of today’s vehicles, which contain 20,000 components and over 100 electronic control units (ECUs) from multiple suppliers. His message was clear: “Interoperability is key for us; without interoperability, none of this will happen.” Ancel’s call for collaboration resonated throughout the summit, highlighting the critical role of teamwork in driving innovation and progress within the automotive industry.

Patrice Ancel, In-Vehicle Technologies Leader, BMW

A vision for the future: Sustainability, collaboration, and innovation

The MEMS & Imaging Sensors Summit demonstrated how collaboration, sustainability, and innovation are driving the sensor industry forward. From addressing market trends to tackling manufacturing challenges, the discussions revealed a shared commitment to creating a smarter, more connected world.

On behalf of SEMI, the SEMI Europe team would like to thank the industry leaders whose expertise and enthusiasm made this summit a resounding success.

Sitong He is a communications manager at SEMI.