Navigation and geolocation tools often rely on satellite positioning systems such as GPS. However, their signals are not always available, for example inside buildings. In such cases, an alternative solution is required, such as an Inertial Measurement Unit, often called IMU. This system is made up of three accelerometers and three gyrometers - to which a pressure sensor can be added for altitude. Starting from a reference point, it is capable of determining the position, orientation and speed of an object in real time.

Combining high performance and miniaturization

IMU, such as those found in smartphones, could also be useful for applications such as autonomous vehicles, driver assistance or industrial robotics. However, such applications require a level of precision to within a few tens of centimeters. 

“High-performance IMUs do exist, but they use bulky, expensive sensors," notes Philippe Robert, co-founder and CEO of iNGage. “In contrast, today's miniaturized systems have a limited level of precision: they can be subject to an error of several meters within a few seconds." In both cases, these constraints are incompatible with the applications mentioned above.

The startup iNGage was founded at the beginning of 2025 with the aim of meeting this growing need by developing a new type of IMU. This innovative solution will combine high performance with affordable cost: Thanks to micro and nanotechnologies, its dimensions will be smaller while performance per mm2 of silicon will be higher due to the detection principle used by iNGage.

Detection using piezoresistive nanogauges

“We opted for a new approach based on a piezoresistive detection principle," explains Philippe Robert. “This involves measuring the variation in resistance between two nano gauges in response to the mechanical stress caused by the effects of acceleration and rotation."

iNGage has been able to increase its device's sensitivity and performance by applying this principle at a nanometric scale. 

“Our distinguishing characteristic is that we combine MEMS with its nanoscale equivalent, NEMS," emphasizes Philippe Robert. “MEMS services the mechanical structure of our IMU while NEMS enables the piezoresistive nano gauges. This enables us to produce IMUs at the component scale with performance levels that are impossible today using only capacitive MEMS technology. It's an advance that opens the door to new usage cases." 

This technology is the result of fifteen years' research at CEA-Leti and is protected by over thirty patents.

The startup is a winner of the i-Lab 2024 innovation competition. It has promisingly demonstrated that its innovative detection principle can be used to produce three-axis accelerometers and gyrometers, as well as pressure sensors, on a single chip and with a level of precision compatible with the intended applications. Thanks in particular to a fundraising campaign, iNGage is now aiming to produce complete prototypes that will be evaluated by its first customers. These will be used, for example, in industrial robotics applications that require a high degree of accuracy in terms of positioning. The company will then tackle the markets for driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles, complementing other technologies such as GPS, radar and LiDAR.​

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