The Strategic Value of PMUT Sensors: Redefining Perception in Privacy-Sensitive and Challenging Environments

In the rapidly evolving field of intelligent sensing, cameras have long been the default solution due to their powerful imaging capabilities. However, in critical domains where privacy protection, environmental resilience, and cost efficiency must be balanced, conventional optical methods face inherent limitations.

PMUT (Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer) sensors, with their unique ultrasonic sensing mechanism, not only overcome these limitations but also excel in scenarios that demand privacy assurance and robust performance under harsh conditions. They are becoming a core enabler for the next generation of universal and reliable sensing systems.

A Specialist in Privacy Protection

Unlike image-based optical sensors, PMUT sensors operate solely by emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to detect distance and presence—without capturing or storing any visual data. This inherently eliminates the risk of privacy breaches, making PMUT sensors an ideal choice for applications such as healthcare monitoring, personal changing areas, high-security facilities, and privacy-sensitive smart home zones.

Ultra-Low Power and Scalable Manufacturing

Manufactured using mature MEMS technology, PMUT sensors are compact and ideal for mass production, with stable miniature packaging options (e.g., 2.8×2.8×1.05 mm, 4.2×4.0×1.4 mm, 5.4×5.8×1.4 mm). Their simplified circuitry results in extremely low power consumption—significantly lower than LiDAR—enabling longer battery life in IoT devices and wearables.

Benchmark for Environmental Robustness

With a 180° field of view, PMUT sensors maintain stable performance even in extreme lighting and low-visibility conditions:

• Unaffected by Light – Operates consistently in complete darkness, direct sunlight, or highly variable lighting conditions.

• Penetrates Smoke and Dust – Ultrasonic waves can pass through dust, smoke, and fog, ensuring reliable detection in industrial monitoring, firefighting, and outdoor equipment applications.

Material-Independent Detection

PMUT sensors deliver precise distance measurements and respond uniformly to a wide range of materials—whether it is transparent glass, dark absorbent surfaces, reflective metals, or porous fabrics—overcoming the material-based limitations of cameras and LiDAR.

As global privacy regulations tighten and the demand for robust, cost-effective sensing systems in complex environments grows, PMUT technology is emerging as a strategic component. It is poised to power the next generation of intelligent human–machine interaction, environmental monitoring, and automation, forming a solid foundation for sustainable smart development.