Inertial measurement units (IMUs)
Accelerometer + gyroscope chips that sense orientation and acceleration for balance.
Data updated
Why it matters
IMUs in the torso (and sometimes the feet) feed the whole-body controller at high rates to keep a biped balanced. MEMS 6-axis IMUs are standard, with higher-grade units used for state estimation and visual-inertial odometry.
Why it is a bottleneck. Low cost share, but vibration robustness and bias stability matter for dynamic walking. Supply is mature (Bosch, TDK, ADI).
Suppliers 3
- Analog DevicesADIS1647x precision IMUs; motor-control and sensing ICs
- Bosch SensortecBMI088 vibration-robust 6-axis IMU
- TDK InvenSenseICM-45686 and robotics IMUs
Sources for this category
- BMI088 high-performance IMU flyer (Bosch Sensortec) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- Robotics (TDK InvenSense) (accessed Oct 8, 2026)
- Best robot IMU 2026 (Robotics Center) (Jul 12, 2026)