- Imaging technology, which is currently mainly cameras, is exploding into the automotive space, and is set to grow at % CAGR to reach US$7.3B in 2021.
- Infotainment and ADAS propel automotive imaging.
- Imaging will transform the car industry en-route to the self-driving paradigm shift.
- A mazy technological roadmap will bring many opportunities.
- “From less than one camera per car on average in 2015, there will be more than three cameras per car by 2021”, announces Pierre Cambou, Activity Leader, Imaging at Yole. “It means 371 million automotive imaging devices”.
Growth of imaging for automotive is also being fueled by the park assist application, 360° surround view camera volume is therefore skyrocketing. While it’s becoming mandatory in the United-States to have a rearview camera by 2018, that uptake is dwarfed by 360° surround view cameras, which enable a “bird’s eye view” perspective. This trend is most beneficial to companies like Omnivision at sensor level and Panasonic and Valeo, which have become one the main manufacturers of automotive cameras.
Mirror replacement cameras are currently the big unknown and take-off will primarily depend on its appeal and car design regulation. Europe and Japan are at the forefront of this trend, which should become only slightly significant by 2021.
Solid state lidar is well talked about and will start to be found in high end cars by 2021. Cost reduction will be a key driver as the push for semi-autonomous driving will be felt more strongly by car manufacturers.
LWIR technology-based night vision cameras were initially perceived as a status symbol. However, they’re increasingly appreciated for their ability to automatically detect pedestrians and wildlife. LWIR solution will therefore become integrated into ADAS systems in future. From their side, 3D cameras will be limited to in-cabin infotainment and driver monitoring. This technology will be key for luxury cars and therefore is of limited use today.
