STMicroelectronics has introduced four automotive combination sensors designed to support safety and driver-assistance systems across vehicle segments, including mass-market models. The devices integrate multi-axis accelerometers and gyroscopes in a single package, allowing automakers and Tier-1 suppliers to develop systems for applications such as crash protection, rollover detection, airbag deployment and vehicle stability control.
Announced on October 28, 2026, the sensors are the first mass-market products launched by ST following its acquisition of NXP’s automotive and industrial MEMS sensors business earlier this year. The acquisition was intended to expand ST’s capabilities in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors.
The company said the combination sensors provide a common platform for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers developing active and passive automotive safety systems. The devices are designed to meet automotive quality, reliability and safety requirements.
By integrating acceleration and angular-rate sensing in one device, the platform is intended to simplify system architecture, accelerate development and give manufacturers greater flexibility in scaling safety features and performance across vehicle categories.
Simone Ferri, Executive VP of STMicroelectronics’ MEMS Sub-Group, said the sensors combine multiple safety functions in a single package. He added that the company’s product longevity commitment and global support infrastructure are intended to support deployment across automotive programmes.
Sensors target multiple safety applications
The new devices are designed for a range of automotive applications, from crash protection and airbag deployment to vehicle stability controls and radar beam stabilisation.
The sensors combine accelerometers, which measure acceleration, with gyroscopes that measure angular velocity. These measurements can support systems that detect vehicle movement and help automotive safety systems respond to changes in motion.
ST said the combination devices are designed to meet ISO 26262 requirements for functional safety and include full internal diagnostics. All four sensors support SafeSPI, a serial peripheral interface for automotive safety that enables independent monitoring of sensor data.
The company has also committed to product availability for at least 15 years, a measure intended to help automotive manufacturers reduce lifecycle and redesign risks when developing vehicles and related systems.
Four combination sensors enter production
ST has introduced four devices with different combinations of angular-rate and acceleration sensing capabilities.
The NCS1012BAEP combines a z-axis (yaw) angular-rate sensor with an x-y low-g accelerometer. The NCS1012CAEP pairs an x-axis (roll) angular-rate sensor with a y-z low-g accelerometer.
The NCS1012EAEP combines an x-axis (roll) angular-rate sensor with an x-y medium-g accelerometer, while the NCS10135AEP pairs a z-axis (yaw) angular-rate sensor with an x-y-z low-g accelerometer.
The angular-rate sensors offer full-scale ranges of ±125 dps, ±250 dps or ±350 dps. They are designed to maintain low offset and minimal drift across an automotive operating temperature range of -40°C to +105°C.
The devices include an integrated low-pass filter, with selectable 3dB frequencies ranging from 12.5Hz to 400Hz. An optional single-pole high-pass filter with fast start-up is also available.
The low-g accelerometers have nominal full-scale ranges from ±1.50g to ±34g, while the medium-g accelerometers offer ranges from ±15.5g to ±150g. ST said the acceleration sensors use an independent signal chain to minimise noise and are designed for low offset and drift across the specified automotive temperature range. They also include an integrated low-pass filter.
All four sensors are in production and are supplied in 24-pin quad-flat no-lead (QFN) packages measuring 6mm x 6mm x 1.90mm. The packages feature wettable flanks to meet automotive industry requirements for optical inspection compatibility.
ADAS growth expected to drive inertial sensing demand
The launch comes as automotive manufacturers continue to develop advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and move towards higher levels of vehicle autonomy.
Omdia senior research analyst Nora Houlihan said inertial measurement units (IMUs) are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.7% between 2025 and 2030, driven by ADAS demand.
Houlihan said the development of higher levels of autonomy is expected to increase the use of MEMS sensors for acceleration and motion detection.
ST’s new combination sensors are aimed at supporting automotive safety applications through integrated acceleration and angular-rate measurements, with the company positioning the platform for use across a wider range of vehicle categories.