Uncooled Infrared Imaging Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029

The uncooled Infrared Imaging market is projected to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.28% to reach a market valuation of US$7.265 billion by 2029, from US$3.902 billion in 2022.

Uncooled infrared imaging cameras house infrared-detecting components within a unit that operates at room temperature. These cameras leverage temperature-related changes in a material's resistance, voltage, or current to identify thermal variations. Comprising the camera's core, detectors, and pixels, this technology is widely used in motion and people-sensing systems, such as activating lights in buildings or detecting intruders.

Unlike their cooled counterparts, uncooled infrared imagers offer a notable advantage in cost-effectiveness, making them accessible across diverse applications and user bases. Their compact size, lightweight design, and lower power consumption render them ideal for portable and battery-powered applications.

Advancements in microbolometer technology have significantly enhanced the image quality and sensitivity of uncooled infrared cameras. They now deliver high-resolution thermal images under various lighting conditions, including darkness, fog, and smoke. This versatility positions them favorably for applications like perimeter security, night vision, and search and rescue operations, where visibility through adverse weather conditions is crucial.

In the automotive sector, there is a rising demand for uncooled infrared cameras in night vision applications, driver assistance systems, pedestrian detection, and thermal imaging for engine diagnostics. In industrial settings, these cameras play a vital role in identifying potential issues in equipment by detecting temperature variations, thereby enabling preventive maintenance and reducing downtime.

Furthermore, uncooled infrared imaging is gaining traction in consumer electronics, with thermal cameras for smartphones and home security systems becoming increasingly prevalent. With their affordability, ease of use, improved performance, and expanding application areas across various industries, the market for uncooled infrared imaging is poised for significant growth.

Market Drivers:

• Increasing application in healthcare and industrial sectors propels the market.

The growing necessity for thermal imaging within both the healthcare sector and industrial inspections has spurred a notable surge in the demand for infrared cameras. In the healthcare realm, medical thermal cameras play a pivotal role in imaging body parts and accurately gauging skin temperature. This technology enables healthcare professionals to swiftly identify internal infections, wounds, and inflammations, significantly enhancing diagnostic capabilities.

Similarly, in the industrial sector, the market for infrared cameras benefits from a heightened need for surface inspection across various manufacturing industries, such as plastic injection molding, glassware production, welding, and pressure vessel monitoring. These cameras, with their ability to detect various wavelengths, facilitate the detection of chemical components and water content, thereby improving product quality and safety standards.

Moreover, the soaring sales of electric vehicles (EVs), reaching 7.3 million worldwide in 2022 compared to 4.6 million in 2021, have further bolstered the demand for infrared cameras. Specifically, uncooled infrared cameras are employed to pinpoint potential issues in industrial equipment by detecting temperature variations. This capability enables proactive maintenance measures, leading to reduced downtime and enhanced operational efficiency across various industrial sectors.

• Increasing use of consumer electronics

The integration of uncooled infrared imaging into consumer electronics is experiencing a notable surge. This trend is particularly evident in the incorporation of thermal cameras into smartphones and home security systems.

In the realm of surveillance and security, the majority of long-wave infrared (LWIR) cameras deployed are uncooled. These cameras utilize microbolometers that exhibit high sensitivity, effectively filtering out excessive thermal noise from the surroundings. This feature renders them well-suited for outdoor usage, where environmental conditions can vary widely.

The imagery produced by these uncooled infrared cameras serves a crucial function in discerning heat signatures emitted by living organisms and inanimate objects. This capability enables the tracking of movements by people, animals, and vehicles, irrespective of whether it's day or night.

Overall, the increasing prevalence of uncooled infrared imaging in consumer electronics underscores its growing importance in enhancing the functionality and effectiveness of thermal cameras for a diverse range of applications, particularly in the domains of personal security and surveillance.

Market Restraint:

• Technological impediments

Uncooled infrared imagers typically exhibit lower image resolution and sensitivity in contrast to their cooled counterparts. This discrepancy arises from the higher operating temperatures of uncooled detectors, which consequently introduce heightened noise levels and diminish their capacity to discern minor temperature fluctuations. Additionally, the detection range of uncooled infrared cameras is inherently shorter compared to cooled counterparts. Such limitations can prove restrictive in scenarios necessitating long-range observation, such as in expansive security and surveillance applications.

Uncooled infrared imaging market segmentation by wavelength into short, medium, and long

Segmentation of the uncooled infrared imaging market by wavelength categorizes it into short, medium, and long wavelengths. Short-wave infrared (SWIR) offers advantageous material contrast and the capability to penetrate certain materials like silicon. Medium-wave infrared (MWIR) provides enhanced thermal detection capabilities compared to SWIR, facilitating the identification of potential equipment failures through the detection of thermal anomalies.

Long-wave infrared (LWIR) dominates the uncooled infrared market due to its proficiency in capturing detailed thermal images under ambient temperatures. LWIR is instrumental in detecting people and objects in low-light or complete darkness, as well as identifying heat loss or insulation problems within structures.

North America is anticipated to hold a significant share of the uncooled Infrared Imaging market

In the uncooled Infrared Imaging market, North America is projected to hold a significant share. This region boasts a well-established industry featuring leading manufacturers of uncooled infrared imaging technology. Notable examples include FLIR Systems, Fluke Corporation, L3Harris Technologies, and Leonardo DRS, all of which are pivotal in driving innovation and fostering substantial market growth.

These companies cater to a diverse range of applications, spanning border security, perimeter protection, general surveillance in both commercial and government sectors, as well as night vision operations, target acquisition, and search and rescue missions. Moreover, their offerings extend to predictive maintenance, process monitoring, and quality control across various industries. Additionally, they play a crucial role in identifying heat loss, insulation problems, and moisture damage in structures.

Benefiting from a robust and relatively stable economic environment, North America continually invests in infrastructure projects, security measures, and technological advancements. These investments serve to bolster the demand for uncooled infrared imaging solutions, underscoring the region's pivotal role in driving market growth.

Market Developments:

• April 2023- NEC Corporation succeeded in developing the world's first high-sensitivity uncooled infrared image sensor that utilized high-purity semiconducting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the infrared detection area. This milestone was achieved through the application of NEC's proprietary extraction technology. The company worked towards the practical application of this image sensor, with plans set for implementation in 2025.
• September 2022- Lynred, a prominent global supplier of high-quality infrared (IR) detectors, and Umicore, a leading company in circular materials technology, announced the collaborative development of a next-generation thermal sensing technology. This advancement aimed to significantly enhance the performance of Pedestrian Autonomous Emergency Braking (PAEB) systems in challenging lighting conditions while remaining cost-effective.

Market Segmentation:

By Camera Core

• Pyro Electric
• Thermopile
• Microbolometer
• Mercury Cadmium Telluride
• Indium Gallium Arsenide
• Ferro Electric
• Others

By Wavelength

• Short
• Medium
• Long

By Product Type

• Fixed
• Portable

By Industry Vertical

• Security and Defence
• Consumer Electronics
• Healthcare
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• Germany
• France
• UK
• Spain
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• Israel
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Australia
• Others