STMicroelectronics Launches Dual-Range Motion Sensor for Smarter Industrial Systems

Industrial equipment generates a constant stream of motion data. Tiny vibrations, shocks, and impacts that reveal how a machine is really behaving. To help engineers capture all of that information in one device, STMicroelectronics has introduced the ISM6HG256X. The sensor is a compact MEMS device that tracks both delicate movements and heavy impacts, providing the kind of accuracy and responsiveness that modern connected factories and monitoring systems demand.

Two Sensors in One

Most motion tracking systems rely on separate accelerometers to capture low-level vibration and high-impact events. The ISM6HG256X does both in a single compact package. It can detect gentle motion up to ±16 g while simultaneously capturing shocks up to ±256 g, supported by an integrated gyroscope for angular rate measurement.

Because the ISM6HG256X measures low and high acceleration at once, it works across an unusually wide range of use cases. A single unit can track vibration in a production robot, record shocks during asset transport, or log sudden impacts in worker safety gear. It captures those details as they happen, from the smallest tremor to a hard jolt, ensuring critical data is never lost.

Edge Intelligence for Real-Time Awareness

Inside the ISM6HG256X is ST’s machine-learning core (MLC) and finite state machine (FSM), which enable local event detection without constant data transfer. The sensor can recognise patterns or classify motion types on its own, improving response time and cutting power use.

This embedded intelligence allows equipment to react faster, maintain lower latency, and consume less energy, key factors for battery-powered industrial nodes. The device also supports adaptive configuration and low-power sensor fusion for 3D orientation tracking, making it suitable for long-life deployments in harsh environments.

The result is a motion sensor that does more than just measure. It can interpret movement and context on its own, a capability that moves industrial monitoring a step closer to full autonomy.

Built for Industrial Reliability

The ISM6HG256X has been built for real-world conditions, not just laboratory testing. Its 2.5 × 3 mm package is rated from –40 °C to +105 °C, and its MEMS structure is designed to remain stable and accurate even under heavy vibration or continuous use. Engineers can prototype quickly using ST’s X-NUCLEO-IKS5A1 expansion board and MEMS Studio software tools, which simplify development for sensor fusion and event classification.

The sensor is available now through ST’s eStore and authorised distributors, priced from $4.27 in 1,000-unit quantities. It’s also part of ST’s Longevity Program, guaranteeing supply for at least 10 years, an important consideration for industrial designs that evolve slowly and need long-term component support.

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