A small sensor tracks movement, gestures, and speech while saving battery. See how it makes wearable devices smarter and longer lasting.
When you work with wearables, hearables, or small robots, you quickly run into a few common challenges. Have you noticed how hard it can be to track fast or complex movements accurately without draining the battery? Or how tricky it is to fit high-performance sensors into tiny, space-limited designs? And even when the sensors are precise, keeping the main processor from constantly running can be a struggle, which eats into battery life.
Bosch Sensortec have introduced the BMI423, a new-generation Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that combines extended measurement range with low power consumption. Designed for always-on applications such as wearables, hearables, and robotics, the BMI423 delivers precise motion data and intelligent on-sensor functionality while maximizing battery life.
With measurement ranges of ±32 g (accelerometer) and ±4000 degrees per second (gyroscope) double that of its predecessor, the BMI423 captures even the most dynamic movements. Whether analysing sports, gaming activities, or robotic arm movement, it provides accurate results where conventional sensors reach their limits.
Tailored to wearables and hearables, the BMI423 integrates Voice Activity Detection (VAD) based on bone-conduction sensing. The sensor detects when a user is speaking and activates the microphone only when required, conserving energy and protecting privacy. Additional on-board functions such as wrist-gesture recognition, multi-tap detection, and step counting allow the main processor to remain in sleep mode until needed. This enables extended battery life in compact devices such as smartwatches, earbuds, and fitness bands.
Some of the key features of the BMI423 are:
- Gyroscope: 5.5 mdps/√Hz
- Accelerometer: 90 μg/√Hz (≤ 8 g) or 120 μg/√Hz (≥ 16 g)
- Minimized temperature-dependent drift ensures reliable output in demanding conditions.
- Low power consumption: only 25 μA during acceleration operation.
- Flexible interfaces for easy integration: I3C, I2C, and SPI.
- Compact package: 2.5 × 3 × 0.8 mm³ LGA, ideal for space-constrained designs.
“The BMI423 demonstrates how Bosch Sensortec continues to combine high precision with intelligent power management,” said Stefan Finkbeiner, CEO of Bosch Sensortec. “This sensor brings high-dynamic-range motion capture and advanced on-sensor functionality to the smallest, most energy-efficient devices –making the next generation of wearables and hearables smarter than ever.”
