Quectel Wireless Solutions, a global IoT solutions provider, has expanded its automotive-grade inertial measurement unit (IMU) portfolio with the launch of three new six-axis modules. The announcement, reported by Gasgoo and carried by Chinese outlet First Electric (D1EV), highlights the company's push to help OEMs reduce development risk and accelerate time-to-market.
An IMU is a sensor that detects motion, tilt, and orientation without external references. While its basic function resembles the screen-rotation sensor in a smartphone, automotive-grade IMUs are built to far stricter manufacturing standards. They must withstand the harsh environment of an engine compartment and, thanks to factory calibration, deliver precision far beyond consumer-grade sensors.
New modules target ADAS and autonomous driving
The flagship product is the LUA501RA, a high-performance compact IMU developed according to the ISO 26262 safety standard. Alongside it, Quectel introduced the LUA300C and LUA301C, both factory-calibrated modules offering different mechanical mounting options.
Although built to automotive-grade specifications, the LUA501RA is designed for use beyond vehicles. Its applications span automotive ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) and ADCU (autonomous driving control units), machine control, industrial automation, and high-precision GNSS/INS navigation.
The LUA300C uses pin mounting, while the LUA301C supports screw mounting, accommodating different mechanical integration needs. Both modules share the same electrical performance and calibration process but differ in size and weight: the compact LUA300C measures 18.8 mm × 10.4 mm × 11.1 mm and weighs about 2.4 g, while the LUA301C measures 19.5 mm × 11.5 mm × 12.0 mm and weighs about 8 g.
Broader choice for OEMs
Together, the three modules give customers a wider selection of automotive-grade IMUs, covering different sensor platforms, package sizes, and existing ASIL-B development standard options. This allows OEMs to meet specific project, packaging, and functional safety requirements, all from a single established module supplier with Tier-1 scale.
According to First Electric, the new modules are expected to help OEMs reduce development risk and speed up product development and market launch. The move reflects a broader trend in China's EV supply chain, where component makers are increasingly offering modular, safety-certified solutions to accelerate vehicle development cycles.
