Led by the three-axis models in Nintendo’s Wii motion-sensitive controllers, microelectromechanical-system (MEMS) gyroscopes in consumer electronics and cell phones will more than double in revenue by 2013, according to iSuppli Corp. The market will expand to $347.2 million in 2013, which is up from $152.9 million in 2009.

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“Gyroscopes have always been too big, too power hungry, and too expensive for mobile and consumer applications,” said Richard Dixon, senior analyst for MEMS at iSuppli. “However, recent progress on silicon and quartz gyroscopes has changed the game—literally.”

MEMS gyroscopes will be found in many more gaming applications later in 2009 and in 2010, Dixon said. These sensors also will enter the mobile-phone market earlier than anticipated at the end of 2009 and early in 2010 as they’re used for image stabilization and user interfaces, he further noted.

The growing number of multi-axis offerings is a major driver behind the gyroscope market’s expansion. Previously, Panasonic and InvenSense were the only major suppliers of two-axis gyroscopes. Yet STMicroelectronics now offers 10 dual-axis gyroscopes, and tri-axis gyroscopes are emerging for gaming as well.

InvenSense offers a two-package, three-axis gyroscope solution, though STMicroelectronics intends to introduce a monolithic solution in 2010. According to iSuppli, revenue from multi-axis gyroscopes for consumer and wireless applications will surpass revenue for single-axis devices by the end of 2009 and account for 80% of the consumer gyroscope market by 2013.

“This represents a great opportunity for companies offering multi-axis gyroscopes and even parts combined with three-axis accelerometers in low-cost inertial measurement units,” Dixon said. “On the other hand, this will put pressure on those companies that only have a single-axis technology on their shelves.”

For more, see iSuppli’s latest report, “Consumer MEMS Market Holds Promise Despite Global Downturn,” at www.isuppli.com/Pages/Consumer-MEMS-Markets-Hold-Promise-Despite-Global-Downturn.aspx?L1ID=178&L2ID=1011&PR.