Strategic Layouts of Apple, Samsung, and Google in the Smart Sensor Market

Inc. recently in a reportas pointed out in,The current smart sensor market stands at approximately 65 million units, encompassing sensors with temperature, humidity, and other functionalities, including those from Nest. By 2019, six years later, WinterGreen Research predicts this figure will surge to 2.8 trillion units.Meanwhile, Transparency Market Research predicts that sales revenue from smart sensor devices will reach $69 billion by 2018, with an average annual growth rate of approximately 10%.Smart sensors have been widely applied in fields such as automotive electronics, smartphones, security electronics, medical electronics, intelligent transportation systems, environmental monitoring, and electronic tags. VCBeat has compiled the key highlights from a market research report on smart sensors published by MEMS Journal, presenting an overview of how industry giants like Apple, Samsung, and Google are positioning themselves in the smart sensor market. (Note: Due to the length of the article, it will be released in two parts. The next installment will focus on Apple’s strategic layout in the smart sensor sector.)

In the fields of wearable devices and smart homes, each has its own unique strengths.

In the wearable technology sector, Apple introduced the Apple Watch and now faces intensifying competition from companies including Samsung, Google, Microsoft, LG, Sony, Fitbit, and Jawbone. Samsung, Google, and Microsoft have each established their own health and wearable device software platforms.

Common biometric sensors used in wearable devices include heart rate, electrodermal activity, bioimpedance, and skin temperature sensors. Most wearable devices are equipped with basic motion sensors, while smartwatches incorporate microphones and other user interface sensors.

Among products from all major manufacturers, the Microsoft Band features the highest number of sensors. Although it lacks calling capabilities, its built-in GPS navigation system enables independent tracking, thereby enhancing the device’s overall functionality.

SamsungWearable devices include smartwatches, earbuds, and virtual reality glasses; Google has also launched a smartwatch. Both are equipped with basic biosensors and motion sensors.

XiaomiIt has also launched its own smart band. Although the device offers only basic functions, its low price and long battery life make it stand out among similar products.

In the smart home sector, Samsung and Google have also established platforms to compete with Apple’s HomeKit. Xiaomi has entered the smart home market by leveraging its advantages in smart home hardware infrastructure and platform capabilities.

In terms of platform-assisted devices, common smart home sensors include motion switches, ultrasonic sensors, on/off sensors, temperature/humidity sensors, ambient light sensors, and sound sensors; meanwhile, communication systems such as Wi-Fi play an indispensable role in connecting devices and driving on-site sensing.

In 2007, Apple introduced three sensors. By 2014, among all smartphones on the market, Samsung Galaxy models featured more than 10 types of sensors, making Samsung the smartphone manufacturer with the largest number of sensors.

 



Apple and Samsung Have Nearly Cornered the Sensor Market for Consumer Electronics

Top Buyers of MEMS Systems in Consumer Electronics (2011) (Chart)



 

Apple and Samsung were the first to integrate sensors into consumer electronics. Apple pioneered this trend in the mainstream market by incorporating a fingerprint sensor into the iPhone 5s, while Samsung was the first to install health (pulse) and environmental (humidity, UV) sensors in its latest electronic devices.

As of 2011, Apple and Samsung accounted for 60% of the market value in the consumer electronics MEMS sector; this figure is projected to reach 67% by 2016.

Apple and Samsung’s market dominance has granted them significant purchasing power; in the past, they have often held greater leverage than other smartphone manufacturers in price negotiations for components such as motion sensors.

A Series of Changes Are Driving Adjustments in the Smart Sensor Industry and Among Its Participants

Consumer Demand:Consumer demand for mobile device functionality and connectivity is driving the smart sensor market. Key trends include the need for more smartphones with enhanced features, the development of wearable devices, and the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Technological Advancements:Advances in sensor technology are driving the integration of more sensors into consumer electronics. Key developments include reductions in sensor size and cost, the evolution of sensor hubs and sensor fusion, and lower data costs.

Technical Challenges:To meet market demand for smart sensors, several challenges must be overcome. Size, cost, and power consumption need to be further reduced, intelligence capabilities need to be enhanced, and R&D efforts need to be more rationalized.

Steering Software:The mass production of sensors and the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) are shifting the industry’s focus and value from hardware to software and value-added services, which will influence value chain dynamics and compel current market participants to adjust their business models.

Data Analysis and Storage:The vast amount of data generated by sensors poses unprecedented challenges to data analysis and storage. Big data analytics will become critically important, and sensors will also need to process more data locally to reduce the volume of data that must be transmitted and stored.

Privacy and Security:Privacy, Security, and Privacy Concerns Pose Additional Challenges to the Sensor-Intensive IoT Market. It is Necessary to Establish Methods and Standards for Data Ownership and Access Rights, While Enhanced Regulatory Oversight Will Become the Norm.

Consumer Demand for Device Features Is Driving the Growth of the Smart Sensor Market

Smartphones and Tablets

· Demand for smartphones and tablets continues to rise

· Additionally, consumers now use these devices across various domains (communication, entertainment, business, fitness, etc.) and have higher expectations for their functionalities.

Wearable Devices:

· The wearable device market is gaining momentum as consumers seek more advanced fitness, wellness, and health monitoring devices.

· Equipment manufacturers have developed a wider range of new products, including many sophisticated multifunctional devices.

Internet of Things:

· The rise of the Internet of Things is enabling devices equipped with numerous sensors to be closely interconnected within a networked ecosystem.

· Wearable devices and home monitoring (typically using smartphones or tablets as hubs) are becoming a key vertical market in consumer electronics.

·It is estimated that by 2020, 25 to 35 million target subjects will be connected to the Internet of Things.

Impact:

The market will have greater demand for sensors.

Data indicates that the Internet of Things (IoT) will require one trillion sensors. Driven by IoT development, the scale of MEMS systems is projected to increase by an order of magnitude of 10x. Concurrently, there will be a demand for novel sensors, multi-sensor combinations, and other integrated solutions. More advanced sensor computing methods will be required, along with deeper integration of hardware and software. Additional approaches for analysis, storage, and other functions are needed to address data-related challenges arising from the rapid expansion of sensor repositories.

With the introduction and adoption of new products, the variety of wearable devices is increasing dramatically.

Wearable devices can leverage sensors available in smartphone applications, such as motion and user-interaction sensors, and expand to incorporate emerging sensor types, including biological and chemical sensors.

Global Market Size of Wearable Devices by Device Type (Data from Developed Markets)



Multi-Sensor Centralized Architecturehas been applied, andThey are still under continuous development.

1. External central processing units, particularly dedicated microcontrollers; this isThe Dominant Architecture in Today’s Consumer Electronics Applications, and due to its low-power performance characteristics, it will remain the mainstream in the market in the short term. Manufacturers include Atmel (holding a 32% share of the sensor hub market), NXP Semiconductors (holding a 24% share), and STMicroelectronics. Device users include Apple (M8 coprocessor—NXP), Samsung, and Motorola/Google.

2. Low-power hubs integrated into application processors are poised to replace these dedicated microcontrollers by 2016. Manufacturers include Qualcomm (holding a 29% share of the sensor hub market), Intel, and NVIDIA.

3. A combination of one or more sensors (particularly accelerometers and gyroscopes) and low-power processors. Manufacturers include InvenSense, STMicroelectronics, and Bosch; device users include Apple (6-axis IMU – InvenSense).

Apart from Xiaomi, other Chinese manufacturers have also begun to frequently use sensors.

Among devices manufactured by China’s top manufacturers, including Xiaomi, the vast majority utilize common sensors and sensor hubs, while their latest products have also incorporated advanced features such as fingerprint recognition. Huawei’s smartphones were the first Android devices to equip tactile fingerprint sensors (similar to Apple’s Touch ID). As a result, China’s manufacturing sector is also strengthening its influence on the global sensor market.

Motion Sensors and MEMS MicrophonesConsumption Trends (Based on Product Revenue Statistics)



A series of third-platform accessories developed based on sensors are either under development or have already been launched to the market.

These third-party accessories include HomeKit and its related accessories.

Quantified Self: Monitoring various aspects of physical condition to provide real-time monitoring or assessment under specific conditions

Home: Monitor home conditions or enable smart monitoring of home facilities

Environment: Monitor environmental conditions such as weather, pollution levels, and water quality.

Fitness: Monitor physical conditions such as exercise, heart rate, and perspiration.

Exercise: Tracking the operation of sports equipment to provide feedback on its performance

Lifestyle Habits: Including various devices such as pet monitoring devices and smart detection devices for hobbies.

Game/UI: Uses sensors to capture information related to the motion device environment or to control the device.

Apart from accelerometers, all advanced smartwatches have their own unique characteristics in terms of sensor usage.



 

 

Compiled by Mao Wanyi

Editor: Yan Bu