Intelligent Wireless Microsystems

Forecast in this report is the impact of the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), wireless sensor networks and microsystems to produce a new family of smart and situation-aware control devices-intelligent wireless microsystems (IWM). As the first ever study of IWM technology, emerging demand is examined for what BCC anticipates will become an entirely new sector within the instruments and controls industry, projected to be worth $1.3 billion by 2013.

BCC examines the way in which a series of developments in computer science and components miniaturization are driving the creation of IWM technology. This analysis provides a detailed survey of the organizations involved in pioneering IWM technology, identifying developers in both the academic and business communities. It describes national efforts to both expand and contain the development of dual civilian-military use IWM technology. At the application level, BCC identifies, describes, and provides U.S., global, and regional forecasts for 2007 as well as 2008-2013 demand for IWMs in 10 industries that have begun to pioneer the use of the technology. Those industries are listed below:

• Beverage merchandising
• Chemical manufacturing
• Electrical apparatus manufacturing
• Food manufacturing
• Special-purpose machinery manufacturing
• Metal production
• Petroleum refining
• Plastics manufacturing
• Pulp and paper processing
• Transportation

Although nominally a new area of the instruments and controls industry, BCC anticipates that IWM technology will make its presence felt far beyond that specialized area. In this analysis, BCC describes uses for IWMs as varied as smart point-of-purchase displays that communicate with passing customers, to process-adapting pollution control systems that cost-justify their installation based on energy savings.

Scope of study

This report contains:

• Descriptions of various intelligent wireless microsystems (IWM) technologies including applications for metal production, petroleum refining, plastics manufacturing, beverage manufacturing, chemicals manufacturing, electrical apparatus manufacturing, food manufacturing, special purpose machinery manufacturing, pulp and paper processing, and transportation
• The current market status for IWM, trends and forecasts for growth over the 5-year period 2008 through 2013
• Profiles of companies pioneering IWM technology and a thorough patent analysis
• Analysis of the IWM industry on a worldwide basis, from both a market and applications perspective
• A discussion of the demand for pollution control systems in applications amenable to conversion to IWM.

Report Highlights

• The global market for advanced intelligent wireless microsystems (IWM) increased from $132 million in 2007 to an estimated $138 million by the end of 2008. It should reach $1.3 billion by 2013, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 56.4%.
• Ten industries including pulp and paper processing and transportation are pioneering the use of IWM technologies and will have significant requirements for IWM by 2013.
• Demand for IWM technology largely will increase due to the needs to save energy and minimize pollutants release into the air and water.