PUBLISHER: AnalystView Market Insights | PRODUCT CODE: 1836266
PUBLISHER: AnalystView Market Insights | PRODUCT CODE: 1836266
Inertial measurement unit market size was valued at US$ 34,061.55 Million in 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 14.66% from 2025 to 2032.
An Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) is an electronic device that measures and reports a body's specific force, angular rate, and sometimes magnetic field using sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers. It is widely used in navigation, motion tracking, and control systems for applications ranging from aerospace and defense to automotive and consumer electronics, providing accurate data for positioning, orientation, and movement even in environments without GPS availability.
Inertial Measurement Unit Market- Market Dynamics
Increasing number of autonomous vehicles & drones to propel market demand
The rise of autonomous vehicles and drones is accelerating demand for IMUs, with global electric vehicle sales surpassing 6.6 million units in 2021, significantly pushing the need for robust motion sensing systems. Besides, expansion in drone technology is also bolstering growth. However, accuracy challenges and high costs of precision IMUs remain a barrier for the global market. On the contrary, the booming IoT ecosystem and advances in sensor fusion and AI pose new growth avenues for the global inertial measurement unit market.
The Global Inertial Measurement Unit Market is segmented on the basis of Grade, Component, Platform, Technology, End User, and Region.
The market is divided into five categories based on Grade: marine grade, tactical grade, navigation grade, commercial grade, and space grade. The navigation grade segment is expected to hold the major market share during the forecast period. This dominance is driven by its extensive use in aerospace, defense, and marine applications, where high accuracy and reliability in navigation are critical.
The market is divided into twelve categories based on Platform: aircrafts, satellites/ space vehicles, missiles, marine vessels, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), military vehicles, unmanned marine vehicles (UMVs), unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), consumer electronics, survey equipment, automotive, and advanced air mobility. Among these, the aircraft segment is expected to hold the major market share during the forecast period. This dominance is driven by the rising demand for advanced navigation, safety, and flight control systems in both commercial and military aviation.
Growing demand for advanced navigation and motion-sensing technologies is driving intense competition among industry participants. Companies are focusing on developing miniaturized, high-precision, and cost-effective units to cater to aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial applications. Strategic initiatives include partnerships with research institutions, integration of AI and sensor fusion for improved accuracy, and expansion into emerging markets. Additionally, continuous investment in R&D and technological innovation is enabling players to differentiate their offerings while addressing evolving end-user requirements and regulatory standards.
In April 2025, Thales introduced a new Inertial Measurement Unit in its TopAxyz line, leveraging MEMS accelerometers for enhanced navigation. The system is 20% smaller, 10% lighter, consumes less power, and ensures higher resilience through advanced R&D investments.