Jan. 30, 2003 — The use of MEMS devices in vehicles is expected to nearly double in the next five years, despite the automotive industry’s historically slow rollout of the technology beyond air bag accelerometers and manifold air pressure sensors, according to a new report.

The number of MEMS per car will grow from an average of 5 in 2002 to an estimated 9.1 by 2007, according to “MEMS in Automotive: Driving Innovation,” published by Scottsdale, Ariz.-based In-Stat/MDR. The report finds that new applications, such as electronic stability control, occupant detection and tire pressure monitoring systems, could push MEMS automotive revenues from under $1 billion in 2002 to nearly $1.5 billion by 2007.

Marlene Bourne, a MEMS analyst for In-Stat and author of the report, said many of the emerging applications are niche uses today but are reaching a higher volume threshold as they evolve from technology push to market pull.