180° Field-of-View PMUT Sensors: Expanding the Boundaries of Perception

Ultrasonic sensing technology is entering a new era—evolving from traditional piezoelectric ceramic transducers to breakthroughs based on Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS). At the heart of this shift are Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (PMUTs), offering miniaturization, low power consumption, and high integration.

Among the most exciting advancements, the 180° panoramic PMUT sensor represents a true frontier innovation, pushing the limits of intelligent perception.

Breaking the Boundaries of Perception

The development of PMUT technology has enabled sensors with hemispherical (180°) fields of view. This achievement is far more than a wider angle—it redefines ultrasonic sensing through:

• Precision Piezoelectric Thin-Film Vibration
  Silicon-based microfabrication allows piezoelectric thin films to vibrate efficiently under electrical signals, enabling high-frequency ultrasound transmission and reception.

• Wide-Angle Beamforming
  Innovative sensor structures and acoustic optimization allow ultrasonic energy to radiate effectively across a 180° hemispherical field, overcoming the narrow cone-shaped limitations of conventional sensors.
  

• Panoramic Acoustic Perception
  A single sensor provides near blind-spot-free acoustic imaging of the environment, reducing the number of sensors and lowering system complexity.
  

Key Applications of 180° PMUT Sensors

Industrial Automation: All-Around Awareness

• Robot Navigation & Obstacle Avoidance
  A single 180° PMUT covers a wide range around the robot, detecting obstacles and people in real time—improving both safety and efficiency.

• Human–Robot Collaboration
  Wide-angle sensing creates a protective monitoring zone, ensuring any operator’s movement is detected instantly for safe and reliable interaction.
  

• Smart Space Utilization
  Ceiling-mounted PMUTs in warehouses or factories can monitor large areas to track storage, equipment, and occupancy, optimizing space management.
  

Service Robots: Smarter Companions

• Advanced Navigation & Environment Mapping
  Few sensors are needed to model complex environments—detecting small obstacles such as furniture legs, pets, or toys with high precision.

• Safe Human Interaction
  Wide fields of view allow robots to sense users approaching from any direction, preventing collisions and enhancing user experience.
  

Shaping the Future of Intelligent Sensing

With their 180° panoramic perception, PMUT sensors mark a turning point in ultrasonic technology. From industrial automation to service robotics, they empower intelligent systems to perceive more, react faster, and interact more safely—laying the foundation for the next generation of smart environments and human–machine collaboration.