January 7, 2014, Seoul – STMicroelectronics (ST), a global semiconductor company providing a wide range of electronic applications and a leader in motion, environment, audio, and micro-fluidic MEMS, has unveiled a new family of always-on 6-axis inertial motion sensors featuring the industry's lowest power consumption, ultra-small package, and excellent design flexibility.

This latest sensor family features a unique 6-axis inertial motion sensing device that can run all sensor functions as well as onboard software for specific customer applications, while consuming up to 40% less power than existing solutions.

ST's latest 6-axis sensors provide best-in-class motion sensing capable of recognizing orientation and gestures, enabling more sophisticated functions than simply changing orientation based on landscape or portrait modes. For example, you can easily take a 360-degree panoramic photo by slowly rotating your smartphone or moving your arm to scroll across a map.

Among them, the LSM6DB0 6-axis smart sensor, which was the last to join ST's iNEMO™ smart sensor family, combines state-of-the-art motion sensing with the powerful 'brain' of an ARM® Cortex™ microprocessor core. In addition, it is the only device on the market capable of operating more efficiently by implementing reduced power consumption, faster response speeds, and simplified design for all sensor-related functions included in the latest version of Android, KitKat 4.4. Furthermore, chip manufacturers can integrate their own custom sensor application software using the open microprocessor architecture.

Benedetto Vigna, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Analog, MEMS, and Sensors Group at ST, stated, “When running long distances, mobile devices must be able to accurately track the entire route without the battery running out midway. ST’s latest sensor products minimize this inconvenience by significantly reducing power consumption.” He added, “The latest iNEMO product is the smartest 6-axis motion sensor device on the market, enabling on-chip operation of all sensor-related software at unprecedentedly low power costs. Sensor products grouped into a single product family provide superior convenience and value, while demonstrating ST’s exceptional innovation and commitment to quality, and allowing users to benefit from ST’s experience in shipping hundreds of millions of Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs).”

ST's latest 6-axis inertial motion sensors, the LSM6DB0, LSM6DS1, and LSM6DS0, are currently available as samples, and mass production is scheduled for the first half of 2014.