Share this on: SMU300: the future of inertial sensors starts now Precise next-gen motion detection for automated driving Find out more In the world of automated driving, cameras act as a vehicle’s primary sense – capturing the environment in high resolution and enabling perception-driven functions like object detection or lane keeping. But eyes alone are not enough. Bosch’s MEMS SMU300 inertial sensor takes on a role comparable to the human sense of balance, complementing visual input with precise motion data. As the vehicle’s inner ear, it detects acceleration, rotation, and tilt – ensuring the system maintains full orientation even when camera or GPS signals are misleading or unavailable. Whether entering a tunnel, navigating sharp curves, or experiencing sudden impacts, inertial sensing bridges data gaps and keeps the vehicle aware of its movement. This makes interaction with the environment not only smarter, but safer. Bosch’s new SMU300 is designed precisely for this role, delivering industry-leading performance in noise, drift, and robustness. As the flagship of Bosch’s MEMS inertial sensor portfolio and purpose-built for modern software-defined vehicles (SDV), it enables state-of-the-art HAD/ADAS and autonomous driving functions. SMU300 - High performance inertial sensor for self-driving cars With more than 23 billion MEMS sensors produced and over 1,000 patents in the field, Bosch has shaped the global MEMS landscape. The new SMU300 represents the highest level of innovation and performance in the automotive portfolio – combining decades of manufacturing expertise with Bosch’s commitment to innovate automotive applications like ADAS and automated driving. SMU300: lowest noise for clean signals in complex situations Inertial sensors are subject to noise, i.e. random fluctuations in their output signal even when the sensor is at rest. This noise limits the resolution and accuracy of measured accelerations and angular rates, especially over short time intervals. The SMU300 sets a new benchmark for signal clarity, featuring significantly reduced noise levels in both its accelerometer and gyroscope channels. This low inherent noise improves the performance of downstream algorithms, particularly in sensor fusion with GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), radar or vision systems. High signal quality enables finer motion detection, more stable vehicle state estimation and better robustness in complex or low-visibility environments. It is especially relevant for short-term dead reckoning and high-frequency control tasks in automated driving. “Zero” drift: stability over time and temperature Drift refers to the slow deviation of a sensor’s output over time, even in the absence of true motion. In inertial sensors, drift is often caused by changes in temperature, aging effects, or mechanical stress. For automotive applications, temperature-induced bias drift is a critical parameter, as it directly affects the long-term accuracy of position and orientation estimates. The SMU300 minimizes drift through precise MEMS design and the use of a ceramic package that improves thermal stability. As a result, the sensor maintains stable output characteristics across the full automotive temperature range without the need for additional on-system temperature compensation or periodic recalibration– even when directly mounted to the ECU. This property simplifies integration and supports consistent performance in real-world driving conditions. Maximum robustness: designed for real-world mobility demands Inertial sensors must withstand mechanical stress over the lifetime of a vehicle. These include vibrations, shocks, temperature cycles, and mounting-induced stress. The SMU300 is specifically engineered for such environments: its ceramic housing provides mechanical stability, resistance to deformation, and efficient thermal management. This structural robustness ensures that sensor characteristics remain stable even under prolonged mechanical load, such as in engine compartments or close to the vehicle chassis. The SMU300 is qualified according to AEC-Q100 Grade 1 and supports integration into ASIL-D safety architectures, making it suitable for use in high-dependability ADAS and automated driving systems. Autonomous driving requires more than high-resolution perception – it depends on knowing precisely how the vehicle moves at every moment. When GPS signals drop or cameras lose visibility, the SMU300 ensures that the system still knows its exact orientation and trajectory. That’s why a high-performance inertial sensor isn’t optional – it’s fundamental to safe and reliable autonomy. SMU300: ready for scalable integration and series production Looking ahead, the trend toward intelligent and software-defined vehicle systems is accelerating – and with it, the pace of development in the automotive industry. This calls for sensor solutions that combine high performance with short integration times and long-term reliability. Moreover, the “one sensor for all” philosophy helps reduce system complexity. Bosch addresses this demand with a broad and scalable MEMS portfolio, offering tailored options for different performance classes and system architectures. The SMU300 is available as customer samples and has now also entered mass production. This way, Bosch underlines its role as a leading MEMS supplier – and the SMU300 as flagship for the future of inertial sensing in software-defined mobility. This might also be interesting for you PRODUCTSMU300 | High performance inertial sensor for self-driving cars STORYIAA 2025 - Bosch mobility highlights PRODUCTSOur MEMS sensor portfolio