Wide range of applications

The Bosch sensor innovation opens up a wealth of new possibilities for the way we use technology. A simple hand movement can replace the tiny buttons we have needed to press until now. The controls make operating machines simpler, especially with personal devices we always carry with us, e.g. mobile phones.

A motion sensor in the mobile phone provides a wide range of control options. Receiving a call, deactivating the ring tone, writing a message – all these processes become simpler, more intuitive and faster with a motion sensor.

But mobile phones are not the only devices to benefit from motion sensors. Their range of applications is extremely large, as the following examples show.

In medicine and care: A motion sensor can detect when a person remains motionless – and an appropriately equipped alarm immediately calls for medical assistance.

Securing objects: The sensor registers whether an object is being moved. For instance a caravan on a camping ground. An alarm is set off in such cases too.

Protection from falls: The sensor detects when a notebook falls to the ground. In such cases, the hard drive heads are quickly parked to prevent loss of data.

Monitoring vibration: The sensor is also suitable when transporting valuable art objects to detect the levels of vibration they experience during the journey.

Computer mice that work everywhere: The motion sensor can detect mouse movements without needing to scan the surface – even in all three directions.

A small part – endless application options
For more security, more reliability, more simplicity – the new SMB 360 motion sensor provides all electronics manufacturers the opportunity of adding exciting new functions to their devices.

Tiny silicon springs

The development of the SMB 360 is based on years of experience at Bosch in designing and producing MEMS for the automotive industry. "Micro electro mechanical systems" (MEMS) are chips that include not only logical electronic systems, but also mechanical elements – for instance silicon springs only a thousandth of a millimeter thick.

Such springs move in the event of acceleration and thereby initiate a capacity change. The electronics integrated into the chip registers such changes and presents them as a digital measurement.

Bosch has been producing MEMS sensors for use in cars since 1988 – adding up to more than 400 million units. They must work reliably for the entire life of a car in tough conditions like extreme temperature changes and vibrations. Our experience in developing and mass producing sensors for automotive technology has contributed to the reliability and durability of the latest sensor innovation from Bosch. These properties also benefit sensors used in everyday devices (consumer goods). For instance, the acceleration sensor can withstand acceleration forces of up to 1,000 times the Earth's gravity.

The SMB 360 was specially designed for mobility to be used in many different fields. It is especially small, light and consumes hardly any power, so it is predestined for use in battery-powered devices. More sensors for the same field of application, such as pressure and rotational sensors, are planned.

With the SMB 360 acceleration sensor, Bosch provides a technology that will significantly change the way we operate our devices in coming years.