SAN JOSE, USA: Sensor networks and smart sensors are being used widely in industries, including automotive, medical, industrial, entertainment, security, and defense due to increased usage of process controls and sensing elements in different sectors.

Use of smart sensors in counter-terrorism applications including cargo tracking, biometrics among others is also increasing. Smart systems are being readily accepted by the auto industry as automakers explore ways to save lives, deflect safety concerns and preempt costly litigation.

Smart systems can sense an impending crash, its nature, the presence of occupants, their position, and determine the type of airbags to be fired and the force and speed of their deployment. Motion-tracking sensors and inertial sensors based on micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) are widely being used in medical applications. Implantable devices that are small in size and yet possess high reliability, and handheld devices for use in diagnostics and home monitoring mainly drive the demand for such sensors.

Europe represents the largest and fastest growing smart sensors market and is projected to reach US$2.1 billion by 2010, as stated by Global Industry Analysts Inc. Smart flow sensors represent the largest product segment in the global smart sensors market.

North American smart flow sensors market is projected to reach US$660 million by 2010. Smart pressure sensors are expected to emerge as the fastest growing product segment in the smart sensors market worldwide. Smart Pressure Sensors market in Asia-Pacific is expected to post a CAGR of 6.5% over the period 2000-2010.

Leading global and regional players operating in the market include ABB, Analog Devices, Custom Sensors & Technologies (CST), Delphi Automotive Systems, Eaton Corp., Emerson Process Management, Honeywell, Infineon Technologies AG, Invensys PLC, Motorola, Oceana Sensor Technologies, Omron, Raytek, Robert Bosch Corp, Siemens AG, Vishay Intertechnology, Wilcoxon Research Inc., and Yokogawa