STMicroelectronics is launching a MEMS accelerometer that enables maintenance-free smart sensing across a wide range of applications, including industrial automation, robotics, healthcare devices, and smart protective equipment, helping to increase productivity and improve safety across industries.

ST announced on the 15th that it has launched the IIS2DULPX, an industrial MEMS acceleration sensor that combines machine learning and ultra-low-power technologies.

This sensor performs AI inference inside the sensor, reducing the burden on the host processor and implementing a maintenance-free, battery-based smart sensor node.

Key features include autonomous configuration and AI integration to optimize power consumption and reduce the burden on the host processor, and improved industrial automation and safety, making it applicable to asset tracking, robotics, factory automation, and healthcare devices.

It also features ultra-low power and long-lasting performance, allowing it to operate for more than three years without battery-based maintenance, and an extended temperature range of up to 105°C.

Use cases include strengthening supply chain quality management by detecting shaking and dropping that occur during the movement of assets, and as a condition monitoring sensor that detects vibration and shock of industrial machinery or robotic arms. In addition, it can be applied to smart helmets to enhance safety by detecting whether they are being worn or if they fall, and it can optimize the semiconductor manufacturing process by monitoring wafer handling robot arms.

ST's key customer Treon has developed an ultra-low-power wireless condition-monitoring system using the sensor, which it says meets its product life cycle requirements thanks to ST's 10-year product supply commitment.

The sensor is available now, with pricing starting at $1.57 per unit in quantities of 1,000.