Market Trends of CMOS Image Sensors Industry
Automotive and Transportation Industry to be the Fastest Growing End User
- The demand for CMOS image sensors in the automotive and transportation sectors is rapidly expanding due to the increasing adoption of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) across various categories of vehicles. The integration of high-performance protective functions into automotive systems has influenced the widespread adoption of camera sensor systems, particularly in the context of upcoming driverless autonomous vehicles worldwide. The ongoing development of autonomous and connected vehicles is paving the way for new market opportunities.
- For instance, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently announced a substantial opportunity for demonstration projects, offering up to USD 6.5 million, including USD 5 million for ADAS in Transit Buses and an additional USD 1.5 million for the initial phase of Automated Transit Bus Maintenance and Yard Operations. Additionally, in April 2023, the UK announced the approval of hands-free driving technology through Ford’s advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS), BlueCruise, set to lead the way on the country’s motorways.
- Moreover, electric vehicles have emerged as a pivotal technology for decarbonizing road transport, given that this sector contributes over 15% of global energy-related emissions, as per IEA data. Recent years have witnessed exponential growth in EV sales, with advancements in range, broader model availability, and enhanced performance. Passenger electric cars are gaining traction, and the IEA estimates that 18% of new cars sold in 2023 will be electric, with Europe, China, and the US leading the electric vehicle markets.
- The National Safety Council projects that by 2026, approximately 71% of registered vehicles will feature rear cameras, while 60% will be equipped with rear parking sensors. This widespread adoption of ADAS is expected to fuel the market's growth significantly.
- According to the World Economic Forum, an estimated 12 million fully autonomous cars are projected to be sold annually by 2035, encompassing 25% of the global automotive market. This surge in demand for connected and electric vehicles has spurred innovation and product development in the CMOS image sensor market. Key market vendors are concentrating on product innovation to meet the escalating consumer demand.
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Americas is Expected to Witness Significant Growth
- The growing adoption of CMOS image sensors across the United States is due to the strong presence of the consumer electronics market, which is fueling the usage of mobile camera modules and other portable devices at a high rate. In consumer electronics, the smartphone has become the primary camera device, dominating cameras and DSLRs. Heavy competition in the smartphone segment has driven manufacturers to provide better cameras to have the edge over the competition, resulting in high investments in technology innovations in this field.
- The US Census Bureau estimated the smartphone sales value at USD 74.7 Billion in 2022-2023. This sluggish growth is an outcome of declined shipments of smartphones in the US. Low-end smartphone sale declines were the biggest contributing factor to the downturn amid economic challenges, high inflation, and poor seasonal demand; however, this is expected to end in the upcoming years. These sales trends are expected to have a significant impact on the growth of CMOS image sensors in the consumer electronics segment, which not only includes smartphones but also PCs, laptops, and tablets.
- In addition to this, robotic cameras have become a revolutionary force in various industries, transforming the way of capturing, monitoring, and interacting with surroundings. These sophisticated devices, equipped with cutting-edge technology, offer a plethora of advantages, making them invaluable assets in applications ranging from surveillance and security to manufacturing and entertainment. Thus, CMOS sensors are more efficient in generating a digital image and consume less power than a CCD. They can be larger than a CCD, enabling high-resolution images, and their manufacture is more economical when compared to a CCD, thus driving the demand in the regional market.
- With the increase in the use of image sensor devices in biometrics, medical, and film cameras by vehicle driver assistance systems, security, and surveillance devices are expected to have a substantial market in the future. Moreover, drones are widely used in countries such as the United States to conduct surveys, and manufacturers are constantly looking for cameras that can capture images from altitude. Cameras with high megapixel resolution and small sensor sizes can be subject to image diffraction effects.
- This is impacting the demand for CMOS image sensors as they are increasingly being used in automotive applications. For instance, according to OICA, in 2022, Mexico was the leading motor vehicle manufacturer in the Latin American region, with 3,509.8 thousand vehicles, followed by Brazil (2,369.77), Argentina (536.9), and Colombia (51.46).
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