MEMS 2.0 - democratization of MEMS
Posted by Josephus van Kuijk on Wed, Jan 06, 2010 @ 01:52 PM
The term MEMS 2.0 is of course derived from the popular WEB 2.0. For those interested to learn about WEB 2.0 I recommend the wiki. There are many definitions and uses of the term WEB 2.0 but I wanted to pull out one in particular.
Web 2.0 technology encourages lightweight business models enabled by syndication of content and of service and by ease of picking-up by early adopters.
What more do we want for MEMS 2.0?
What is needed is a new platform and eco-system. What will this look like? We are working on it. A new MEMS eco-system will:
- Enable the "small" guy to offer its MEMS-IP
- Allow the "big" guy to manufacture it
- Connect the "small" guy with the "big" guy and the "unkown" guys; who want to integrate MEMS into their products.
One thing is for sure, MEMS is maturing. All the different partners of MEMS 2.0 are known; they are no different from today's suppliers, manufacturers and designers. Connecting them in a way that accelerates business and facilitates access to MEMS is the next evolutionary step.
Partnering at this early stage is crucial.
- MEMS foundries cannot build fab space fast enough
- IDMs are considering outsourcing manufacturing
- IC foundries are left with empty older fabs that they are trying to fill with MEMS
- MEMS-IP companies know more about the manufacturing process than the foundries - that won't last...
- Current successful MEMS companies have developed their own design-manufacturing methodologies, are these scalable?
Who's stepping up to differentiate themselves? Bold enough to engage in new directions?
MEMS 2.0 - imagine the possibilities ....