Infrared Sensor Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

Infrared (IR) Sensor Market Analysis

The Infrared Sensor Market size is estimated at USD 1.11 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 1.57 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 7.21% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Infrared or IR sensors, with a spectral sensitivity ranging from 780 nm to 50 µm, have become indispensable across diverse industries, transforming interactions with the environment. By detecting infrared radiation, these sensors provide distinct advantages, leading to their broad adoption. IR sensors play a pivotal role in motion detectors, commonly employed in building services to activate lamps or alarm systems. Within a specified angular range, these sensors detect temporal and spatial changes in heat radiation attributed to the movement of objects or individuals.

• The market is expanding, fueled by the surging demand for smart consumer devices. The automotive sector is also growing, particularly with the rising need for advanced safety and convenience features like ADAS and collision detection. The healthcare sector's increasing reliance on IR sensors, along with their adoption in aerospace and defense for enhanced threat detection, further propels the market's expansion.
• For instance, the demand for smart home devices has surged. Estimates from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) projected that revenue from smart home devices in the United States would hit USD 23.5 billion in 2023. Given that IR-based motion sensors play a pivotal role in smart lighting systems, surveillance systems, and automated door locks, boosting both security and energy efficiency. These trends are set to propel their adoption in the coming years.
• The healthcare industry is increasingly adopting IR sensors for diverse applications, including patient monitoring and medical imaging. The significance of non-contact temperature measurement via IR sensors has been underscored during global health crises, and this trend is expected to persist even after the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that the contactless functionality of IR sensors mitigates the risk of cross-contamination, their value in healthcare settings is undeniable. This trend sets the stage for continued growth in the coming years.
• Nonetheless, the technical limitations of IR sensors pose significant challenges to the growth of the market studied. For example, infrared frequencies can be affected by solid objects like walls and doors, as well as by dust, haze, and sunlight. In screen and control applications, IR sensors can only manage one device at a time, making it challenging to control items outside their direct line of sight.
• Global supply chains are already grappling with numerous challenges, such as soaring transportation costs, persistent inflation, ongoing labor shortages, a shortage of essential goods, and fluctuating demand. A recession would only exacerbate these issues. While pinpointing the exact timing and intensity of a potential recession remains elusive, organizations can better prepare for its ramifications on supply chains by gaining insights into these impacts. Nevertheless, the forecast period looks optimistic, with most economies and industrial sectors expected to regain momentum, presenting opportunities in the market studied.

Infrared (IR) Sensor Market Trends

Automotive Industry to be the Fastest Growing End User

Infrared (IR) Sensor Industry Segmentation

Infrared sensor instruments detect or emit infrared radiation to sense specific characteristics of their surroundings. These electronic detectors can detect motion and measure the heat emitted by objects. Thanks to technological advancements, infrared sensors are now lighter, more affordable, and have improved power efficiency. The market is defined by the revenue generated through the sales of different types of infrared sensors by major market vendors globally.

The infrared (IR) sensor market is segmented by type (near-infrared (NIR), infrared, and far infrared (FIR)), end-user industry (healthcare, aerospace and defense, automotive, commercial applications, manufacturing, oil, and gas, and other end-user industries), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value USD for all the above segments.