6-axis MEMS-based Intertial Measurement Unit

Austria based SensorDynamics has recently presented a low-cost 6-axis IMU.
The unit measures angular rate and acceleration in all three spatial directions and contains a continuous self-diagnosis capability.
The IMU has total dimensions of 23x32x22 mm with an angular rate resolution of as low as 0.0039 Degree/s/bit and an acceleration resolution of as low as 0.002 m/s^2/bit for measurement ranges of 100 Degree/s and 2g respectively.

[Link]

MEMS inertial measurenemt unit in new Wii-controller

Apparently Nintendo plans to unveil a new controller for the Wii-console containing a 2-axis gyroscope.
This is attached to the current sensor (containing a 3-axis accelerometer) extending its sensing capabilities.
With the help of this InvenSense IDG-600 gyroscope the controller is essentially turned into a 5-axis Inertial Measurement Unit.

[Link]

Shortnews: New MEMS reports from Yole Developpement

France based Yole Developpement has recently released the following new MEMS market reports:

• MEMS Switch and Varicap Market 2008
• MEMS for Cell Phones 2008
• MIS 08 Status of the MEMS industry
• IMU MArket 2007-2012
• WMEM 08- World MEMS Equipment & Materials Market
  

IMU developed by students at MIT

It seems that one of the first proper Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) has been developed by two MIT students to allow for dead-reckoning in case when a GPS signal is not available.
By using a combination of an accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer apparently they can achieve a positional accuracy of 1m with and 3m without GPS signal present.
We are quite likely to see more and more applications of this kind of application in the near future for such applications as: consumer electronics, automotive, aerospace etc.