The global gesture recognition market size was valued at USD 6.22 billion in 2017. It is projected to expand at a CAGR of 22.2% from 2018 to 2025, owing to increasing per capita income, rising technological advancements, and burgeoning digitization across various industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, and healthcare. Surging use of consumer electronics, growing implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT), and soaring need for comfort and convenience in product usage are also providing an upthrust to the market.
Gesture recognition is the conversion of a hominid movement or signals to a command using a mathematical algorithm. It enables any person to interrelate with the machine in the absence of any physical devices, as an input mechanism to perform desired actions in a system. The technology interprets human gestures and movements, such as the movement of hands, fingers, arms, head, or the entire body. It allows users to operate and control devices merely with their gestures.
For instance, users can move the cursor by simply pointing a finger at the screen. This makes input devices such as touchscreens, keyboards, and mouse redundant. Gesture recognition technology has improved the usability of several devices and has occasioned the progression of several innovative applications in various industries.
Gestures are visible body actions through which human express information to others without saying it. In our daily lives, we can see several hand gestures, which are frequently used for communication purposes. Hand gesture recognition is one of the most advanced research fields that provide a means for human-machine interaction (HMI) and human-computer interaction (HCI). Its applications range from medical rehabilitation to consumer electronics control.
Different types of sensing techniques are used to identify various hand gestures. Sensing techniques are used to obtain multiple signals for pattern recognition. Different kinds of prototypes developed are easy to use and understand and they are more cost-effective than traditional interface devices such as keyboard and mouse. Hand gestures are highly expressive in terms of interacting with the environment or communicating any information.
Similarly, touchless sensing offers evolutionary technology in the human-machine interface (HMI). Touchless technology detects motion or presence within the vicinity of a sensor and enables the scanning of biometric images without any need to touch sensors physically. It combines advantages of both optical sensing as well as biometric sensing systems. As soon as an object comes near touchless sensors, the optical source illuminates the object, and cameras scan that image. These optical sources are highly sophisticated and guarantee high image quality.
Moreover, there is high competition in the market that is leading to a large number of mergers and acquisitions. For instance, Intel Corp. acquired Omek Interactive Ltd. The key players in the market include multinational companies such as Apple, Intel, Microsoft, and Google. Along with global giants, homegrown players are also showing tremendous growth and attracting big investors. This has made the market even more competitive.
Increasing digitization across industries is one of the primary growth stimulants for the market. The consumer electronics industry represented the leading share in the market in 2017 owing to ease of adoption due to low technical complexities for end users. Several other industries have also started using this technology. For instance, the automotive and healthcare industries are rigorously adopting gesture recognition technology. This technology helps users to interact with computers and other devices with ease and enhances human-machine interaction. It also helps physically disabled people to operate devices.
Rising use of consumer electronics and the Internet of Things, along with the growing need for comfort and convenience in product usage, is stoking the growth of the global gesture recognition market. Technological advancements and ease of use are helping technology gain global acceptance. Increasing awareness regarding regulations and driver safety is also boosting the demand for gesture recognition systems in the automobile industry. Similarly, surging demand for application-based technologies is bolstering the market growth.
Manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are focusing on improving driver experience. Thus, they are trying to reduce driver distraction with the help of gesture recognition technology. Increasing digitization across various industries is compelling manufacturers to adopt innovative techniques in order to build a large customer base.
Gesture recognition technology tracks the user’s movements and gestures and determines and performs operations using various tools. A variety of input devices are used to recognize gestures with the help of images or videos. Similarly, multiple technical environments are used to implement these gestures. Emerging technologies such as image sensors, ultrasonic, interactive, 3D technologies, electric field, infrared, and display capacitive sensors are used in various applications such as a head-up display (HUD), biometric access, smartphones, and medical diagnosis.
Touch-less technology is expected to register a higher CAGR during the forecast period. Rising implementation of the technology in healthcare and automotive applications is anticipated to contribute to the growth of the segment in the near future. Also, benefits such as easy interface and speed and accuracy are estimated to escalate the incorporation of this gesture recognition technology in tablets and smartphones.
Sign language recognition technology transcribes sign language symbols into text. Robotics uses directional indication through pointing. The direction in which the user is pointing helps process and interpret gestures with accuracy. Advancements in technologies allow users to control their smartphones and computers through facial gestures. Affective computing is used to process and detect the emotional expressions of users.
Asia Pacific dominated the market in terms of revenue in 2017. The region is likely to remain dominant through 2025. This region accounts for the largest proportion of the world population. Moreover, China and India are among the fastest-growing economies in the world. Increasing disposable income and growing industrial digitization are poised to supplement the growth of the region.
The Middle East and Africa and South America are projected to be the most promising regions over the forecast period. MEA has a dynamic young population with one of the highest global per capita incomes. Improving the standard of living along with increasing spending capacity and awareness regarding healthcare and sanitization is helping the market flourish in these regions.
North America and Europe are anticipated to witness steady growth over the forecast period. The automotive and healthcare industries in these regions are estimated to experience an upswing in the adoption of gesture recognition technology over the forecast period. Similarly, 2D and 3D gesture recognition technologies can deliver more realistic and interactive exposure to customer experience.
Some of the prominent companies operating in the market are Apple Inc.; EyeSight Technologies Ltd; and Infineon Technologies AG. These players undertake strategies such as partnerships, business expansions, new product developments, and contracts to expand their market share.
Report Attribute |
Details |
Market size value in 2020 |
USD 11.4 billion |
Revenue forecast in 2025 |
USD 30.6 billion |
Growth Rate |
CAGR of 22.2% from 2018 to 2025 |
Base year for estimation |
2017 |
Historical data |
2014 - 2016 |
Forecast period |
2018 to 2025 |
Quantitative units |
Revenue in USD million and CAGR from 2018 to 2025 |
Report coverage |
Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
Segments covered |
Technology, industry, region |
Regional scope |
North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; South America; MEA |
Country scope |
U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, France, Japan, China, India, Brazil |
Key companies profiled |
Apple Inc.; eyeSight Technologies Ltd; Infineon Technologies AG; Microchip Technology Incorporated; Visteon Corporation; NXP Semiconductors; Omek Interactive Ltd.; Cognitec Systems GmbH; Omnivision Technologies, Inc.; and SoftKinetic. |
Customization scope |
Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope. |
Pricing and purchase options |
Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options |
This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global gesture recognition market report into technology, industry, and region:
Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014-2025)
Touch-based
Multi-Touch System
Motion Gesture
Touchless
Capacitive/Electric Field
Infrared Array
Ultrasonic Technology
2D Camera-Based Technology
3D Vision Technologies
End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)
Automotive
Lighting System
HUD
Biometric Access
Others
Consumer Electronics
Smartphone
Laptops & Tablets
Gaming Console
Smart TV
Set-Top Box
Head-Mount Display (HMD)
Others
Healthcare
Sign Language
Lab & Operating Rooms
Diagnosis
Others
Advertisement & Communication
Hospitality
Educational Hubs
Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)
North America
The U.S.
Canada
Mexico
Europe
Germany
U.K.
France
Asia Pacific
China
India
Japan
South America
Brazil
Middle East and Africa (MEA)
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