This paper deals with some industrial aspects of microsensor technolog
y and the approach taken by SensoNor to build a sensor business. The o
pportunities for new sensor products are more or less countless, the m
ain limitations are, first of all related to the high development cost
and the many low volume needs. As a result of the diversity of sensor
technology and the detailed knowledge that is needed about each of th
e many applications, there is a need for a large variety of companies
to cover ail the opportunities of this fast growing market. Different
industrial approaches are needed to have the most cost efficient solut
ion for the different segments of the market. SensoNor a.s is an indep
endent company operating as an OEM supplier. Our business idea is to d
evelop, manufacture and market microsensors, preferably for high volum
e applications, based on silicon micromechanics technology. The compan
y has a range of standard products and offers application specific mec
hanical sensors such as pressure sensors and accelerometers. SensoNor
is today the world's largest independent manufacturer of crash sensors
for automotive applications and a leading supplier of sensors for med
ical applications. From a short term and mid term time perspective, ou
r industrial focus will initially be on volume products. The author be
lieves that customer designed sensors based on a standardized process
t0echnology will not be an important reality in the near future. More
flexible and cost efficient production lines will be needed to meet fu
ture requirements for the small and medium quantity applications.