The Growing Demand For Image Sensors In The Automotive Industry
The image sensor market is poised for explosive growth over the next decade. Many industries are expected to drive this growth, as well as benefit from it, but none more than the automotive sector.
Market research and analysis provider Market.US released a report – Global Image Sensor Market By Technology (Charged Coupled Device (CCD), and Complementary Metal-oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)), By Type (2D, 3D), By Application, By Region and Companies - Industry Segment Outlook, Market Assessment, Competition Scenario, Trends, and Forecast 2023-2032 – which forecasts the Global Image Sensors Market will reach a market value of $55.8 billion by 2032. That market was valued at just over $26.1 billion last year.
This “strong growth” will be attributable to “a marked surge in smartphone usage among Generation Z,” writes Market.US. “Integrating numerous cameras into a single smartphone device results in enhanced HDR, optical zoom, and low-light photography. Additionally, it is possible to switch between portrait and landscape modes and use 3D imaging.” The resulting investments in security and surveillance in public places worldwide and increased adoption of the technologies needed to enhance anti-terror equipment and reduce security breaches will be critical factors in growing the image sensor market.
Beyond the booming camera-equipped smartphone market, “The automotive sector stands to benefit financially from the image sensors market in terms of the vertical,” notes Market.US “The growing popularity of CMOS sensors is anticipated to dominate the entire market for image sensors. To provide the driver and passengers with full protection and safety, these sensors are increasingly being incorporated into automobiles.”
Let’s take a deeper dive into ways the symbiotic relationship developing between the automotive sector and image sensors.
Demand For Automotive Image Sensors Accelerates As ADAS Standardizes
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) – which use image sensors to detect obstacles, provide warnings, or take actions such as emergency braking – are the main reason for the rising demand for the technology. As ADAS becomes standard equipment in more vehicles, the demand for the image sensors that power these systems is accelerating. “ During the forecast period,” reports Market.US, “it is anticipated that these new ideas will make a significant contribution to the rise in demand for image sensors and the adoption of image sensors.”
Semiconductor manufacturers are developing automotive-specific sensor solutions that enable safety, security, and surveillance systems. They are designed to withstand harsh conditions including extreme temperatures, vibrations, and shocks, while still delivering high performance for ADAS and other automotive imaging needs.
The growth of the automotive image sensor market is poised to generate significant revenue opportunities for semiconductor companies that can deliver the advanced, specialized image sensors required for the latest vehicle systems and technologies. At the same time, the widespread adoption of image sensors will make driving increasingly safe and secure for all.
CMOS image sensors are going to be more responsible for market growth than CCD image sensors due to their smaller size, increased sensitivity, and effective use of power. “Due to its lower manufacturing cost and improved image quality, CMOS image sensor technology gained popularity,” writes Market.US. “The image sensor market is expected to expand mainly as CMOS infrastructure development and advanced imaging technologies emerge.”
One possible stumbling block image sensors face is LiDAR systems which “make use of millions of laser pulses and require highly tuned systems. These systems are more precise and accurate than image sensor cameras, but they also use a lot of power, don’t work well in bad weather, are heavy, and cost a lot.” Despite those drawbacks, the automotive sector still prefers LiDAR to image sensor camera systems, a preference that could potentially slow down the image sensor market.
Revolutionizing Automotive Technology
As the automotive industry moves closer to fully autonomous vehicles, image sensors have become increasingly important in enhancing the safety of drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Traditional image sensors are quite capable, but with the rise of machine learning applications requiring more complex and detailed analysis of images, new sensing technologies are needed.
These advancements must afford improved resolution, better sensitivity, faster processing speeds, and increased dynamic range. Advanced sensors such as short-wave infrared (SWIR) and time of flight (ToF) have already been used in autonomous vehicles to enhance the accuracy and detail of images captured. SWIR sensors can capture images in low-light conditions, and ToF sensors can provide 3D data with greater accuracy.
In addition to these advancements, new image-sensing technologies such as nanostructured imaging devices are being developed. These devices can take advantage of the unique properties of nano-scale materials to create an array of ultra-high resolution pixels. This could enable autonomous vehicles to detect small details in the environment, such as objects hidden behind walls or trees.
As autonomous vehicle technology progresses, image-sensing technologies will become an integral part of a safe and reliable driving experience. And with new advancements being made all the time, even more exciting developments are yet to come.