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Precision data for safety, performance, and accelerated design cycles.
Accelerometers play a foundational role in how modern vehicles are tested, validated, and improved, particularly as demands for safety, ride quality, and design agility continue to rise. These sensors are responsible for capturing real-time motion and vibration data that informs decisions across crash testing, NVH studies, and electric and autonomous vehicle development.
MEMS DC accelerometers, in particular, have become the preferred choice for engineers working in complex test environments. Their low noise, high sensitivity, and long-term stability allow for consistently accurate measurements, even in extreme conditions. The data they produce helps development teams meet regulatory benchmarks, improve vehicle behavior, and reduce the time it takes to bring new technologies to market.
Crash Testing and NVH: Making Every Data Point Count
Crash test data is only as good as the sensor capturing it. In vehicle impact simulations, accelerometers measure sudden changes in motion to assess how well a vehicle protects its occupants. These tests require low-noise, high-resolution accelerometers that can function in milliseconds and survive high-G impacts without distortion. Engineers use this data to identify weak points, improve crashworthiness, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Beyond impact testing, accelerometers are foundational to Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) analysis. A car’s ability to deliver a smooth, quiet ride is vital to customer satisfaction and brand reputation. By placing accelerometers at multiple points throughout the chassis and cabin, automakers detect unwanted vibrations from road surfaces, engines, or structural harmonics. Engineers use this information to refine suspension geometry, isolate structural resonance, and eliminate sources of cabin vibration.
See how a performance vehicle manufacturer used Silicon Designs MEMS accelerometers to identify and resolve vibration issues affecting cabin experience in our NVH Case Study.
Data-Driven Design and Accelerated Engineering Cycles
By analyzing motion and vibration data early in development, engineers are able to identify risks, validate performance assumptions, and adjust designs without repeating entire test cycles. These insights reduce design iteration, accelerate validation timelines, and improve the efficiency of both prototyping and production.
Silicon Designs’ universal MEMS DC accelerometers are engineered specifically for this kind of sustained, accurate data acquisition. With low drift, wide bandwidth, and excellent linearity, they are a trusted component in automotive programs focused on both short-term validation and long-term performance monitoring. They also integrate easily with test platforms, enabling faster deployment and cleaner data outputs that drive faster answers to complex engineering questions.
Practical Value in Every Application
Accelerometers contribute to safety. They support smoother, more refined ride experiences. They shorten the path between concept and production by providing the data necessary to make confident, informed decisions at every stage of development.
For automotive teams working on EV platforms, autonomous systems, or traditional combustion vehicles, MEMS DC accelerometers remain essential tools for delivering reliable, real-world performance that meets both regulatory expectations and customer experience goals.
See How Our Accelerometers Perform in Your Application
Explore the difference precision data can make in your test and measurement environment. Talk to an engineer about finding the right accelerometer for your development program, or request a sample to begin evaluating performance for your specific application.
