Murata launches high-precision 6-axis inertial sensor for automobiles

     Murata has developed a high-performance 6-axis inertial sensor for automotive "SCH1633-D01," which has begun to provide samples and is scheduled to begin mass production in the first half of 2025. In the future, Murata plans to expand the product lineup of the next generation 6-axis SCH1000 series, including this product.

     In recent years, the automotive industry has continuously introduced AD (Autonomous driving) /ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) and so on, striving to make driving safer and more comfortable, which also needs to collaborate with GNSS for higher accuracy of their own position estimation. In order to achieve more advanced AD/ADAS, the time mismatch problem between GNSS, inertial sensor, camera/Lidar/MMwave radar information needs to be solved, so the inertial sensor also needs to have a time synchronization function.

     In addition, the UNECE headlight leveling regulation (4) is scheduled to be implemented in 2027 (5), and automakers will need to add high-precision sensors to vehicles to meet the regulatory requirements, which will also increase manufacturing costs. Therefore, a high-precision sensor that can be used simultaneously for AD/ADAS, vehicle attitude measurement, and headlight leveling is needed to optimize the overall vehicle cost.

     Using 3D MEMS(6) and system design techniques accumulated over the years, Murata developed the "SCH1633-D01", a high-precision 6-axis inertial sensor for automobiles with time synchronization. This product can provide inertial signals needed for self-position estimation, vehicle attitude measurement, camera/LiDAR/radar tilt detection, etc. after combining GNSS. It provides a high-quality signal for these functions and contributes to the overall cost optimization of the vehicle.

     In addition, by combining this product with algorithms, it will help to comply with UNECE's headlight levelling regulations. In the road test conducted in California, more than 90% of the autonomous driving miles were driven using Murata's existing 6DoF MEMS sensor (SCHA600 series). This product was developed based on customer feedback during these road tests.

     In the future, Murata will continue to focus on the development of inertial sensors that meet market needs and help automotive sensors achieve miniaturization and high precision.

     Murata's partner Hexagon has already incorporated this product into their navigation and positioning products. "The SCH1633-D01 demonstrates excellent performance as a MEMS sensor, and we are proud to bring it to market as part of our product portfolio," said Gordon Heidinger, Division Manager, Autonomous Driving and Positioning, Automotive and Critical Safety Systems.

     Mr. Ville Nurmiainen, General Manager, Product Management, Murata Electronics Oy, said: "Automotive 6DoF applications are growing rapidly and competition among manufacturers for market share is fierce. This product provides the high performance required for new systems and helps to reduce costs to a large extent. For automobile manufacturers, this product can provide technical advantages and cost savings. Help further advance automotive applications and make autonomous driving safer for all of us."