Light Sensor Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Function (Proximity Detection, Gesture Recognition), By Output (Digital, Analog), By End Use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027

Report Overview

The global light sensor market size was valued at USD 2.85 billion in 2019 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9% from 2020 to 2027. Major factors driving the demand for light sensors are the increasing use of consumer electronics, miniaturization of sensors, and the growing demand for implementing renewable energy. Additionally, advancements in smart homes, outdoor lighting, and the automotive sector are expected to boost the growth of the market. Recent advancements in sensor technologies have been fueled by low-cost and high-speed electronic circuits, advanced manufacturing technologies, and innovative signal processing methods. These new developments in the field have provided promising technical solutions, thereby increasing the reliability, quality, and economic efficiency of technical products.

Factors such as amenability to multiplexing, immunity against electromagnetic interference, and superior sensitivity make light detectors a preferred technology in various sectors, such as healthcare, aerospace, automotive, and consumer electronics. All these factors are anticipated to boost the growth of the market over the forecast period.

Light sensors have become a commonly used component in emerging tech innovations and smart city applications, often supported by Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. The market is expected to witness growth prospects across various industry verticals due to the growth in industrial automation, a surge in IoT and connected devices, and advancements in the telecommunication industry. Applications of photonics are already impacting smart city infrastructure in terms of sensing, smart lighting, and communication technologies. Meanwhile, other emerging technologies such as nanoscale photonics are also witnessing high demand in smart city infrastructure, thereby boosting the demand for light sensors.

Miniaturization and enhancements in sensor technologies have resulted in an increased demand for smart electronics, such as LED televisions, smartphones, and smart lighting systems, across the globe. At the core of these devices are various sensor technologies and communication interfaces. The introduction of connected devices and 5G communication technologies is likely to propel the use of various sensors across industries. Besides, optical sensors are widely used in wearable electronics equipment on the commercial as well as the domestic front.

Sensor systems find usage in a wide range of applications owing to features such as increased comfort, security, and automation. Continuous enhancements in the quality and reliability of lighting detection products have led to increased competition in the market. However, the rising cost of innovation in sensor design and manufacturing poses a challenge for the market. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has hampered the global economy and disrupted global supply chains, thereby causing short-term market uncertainty. These challenges need to be overcome through innovative approaches and solutions, considering the future demand for light sensing applications in various industries.

Function Insights

The proximity detection segment led the market in 2019 and accounted for around 30.0% share of the global revenue. The growth of this segment can be attributed to its wide usage in automotive and industrial manufacturing. Proximity detectors respond to variations in infrared light to sense motion or proximity to other objects. They are commonly used in vehicles for alerting drivers when the vehicle is in proximity to other objects. Moreover, they are widely used in outdoor lights to detect movements for security purposes.

The ambient light sensing segment is expected to grow at a substantial rate owing to the increasing demand for electronic products. Light sensors have become an important element of consumer electronics to meet a variety of design needs. Moreover, ambient light sensing technology is gaining prominence owing to its growing adoption in smart electronics. This is fundamental as light detectors help to adjust the intensity of LCD and LED screens as per the amount of ambient light. They also preserve energy and offer an appropriate amount of screen brightness to users.

End-use Insights

In terms of revenue, the consumer electronics segment accounted for the largest share of over 35.0% in 2019 owing to the increasing demand and utility of electronic products among consumers. Light sensing devices are witnessing an upsurge in demand from applications, such as smartphones, LCD/LED televisions, & laptops. The sensors perform the function of automatically regulating the screen brightness in response to the amount of environment light these devices receive, thus enabling power saving. Modern IoT lighting platforms are also focusing on controlling lighting with various digital sensing elements involving illuminance detectors.

The healthcare sector is rapidly developing, in turn, driving the use of advanced instruments equipped with light sensors. Light sensors are widely used in the medical arena for detecting pathogens, monitoring oxygen levels in patients (pulse oximeters), and blood diagnostics. Moreover, there has been an increasing demand for integrated optoelectronic sensors in the medical equipment industry. These developments are likely to boost the growth of the market in the healthcare domain over the forecast period.

Output Insights

Based on the output, the digital segment dominated the market with a share of over 55.0% in 2019. In applications such as heating ventilation and air conditioning, lighting controls, or temperature control system, the control parameters need to be adjusted based on the intensity of ambient light. Digital light detectors have become significant in such conditions. With the increasing use of screen-based devices, such as laptops, cell phones, and television sets, the digital light sensor segment is likely to witness significant growth in the coming years.

With technological advancements, a variety of optical sensors are available in small packages at reasonable prices. Digital solutions have increased the utility and range of ambient light detectors. Moreover, analog-to-digital light sensors offer IR blocking filters, interrupt function, and an I2C interface intended for backlighting control and ambient light sensing. As power conservation has become an essential feature in several devices, the utility of digital light sensors is expected to be further propelled in the coming years.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific dominated the market with a share of over 30.0% in 2019 owing to its growing population and increasing demand for smartphones and consumer electronics. Moreover, the growing number of handheld devices with integral light sensors is expected to propel the growth of the market. Stringent government regulations on the safety of consumers in developing countries, such as India and ASEAN, have led automobile manufacturers to incorporate more detectors in the mid-segment vehicles. These factors are expected to drive the demand for light sensors in APAC over the forecast period.

North America is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period owing to the early adoption of light detection solutions. The regional market is characterized by a large number of vendors, such as Analog Devices, Inc.; Broadcom Inc.; and Maxim Integrated Products Inc., which are actively innovating and developing sensors. While the U.S. remains the global leader in sensor design and R&D, the major part of manufacturing occurs in the Asia Pacific. This trend is projected to continue over the next decade. However, the global geopolitical instability, especially with regard to trade policy, has compelled the U.S. industry to adopt new strategies to stay ahead of the competition.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is fragmented with a large number of stakeholders across the value chain. The consolidation of sensor manufacturers, system integrators, and distributors is a key trend observed in the market that is likely to propel the growth of the market. Significant consolidations have resulted in the formation of large industrial conglomerates and holdings through mergers & acquisitions over the last few decades. In an attempt to reach the critical mass, new strategies are being adopted through technical and marketing synergies within various business models. Moreover, various companies and startups in the smart light industry are likely to increase the competition among sensor manufacturers to meet the growing demand.

In July 2020, AMS AG launched a proximity detection module and an integrated ambient light sensor, which will enable mobile handset Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to develop mobile devices with nearly bezel-less displays. The module (TMD2755) is 60% smaller in volume and 40% lower in the area compared to other devices available in the market. Moreover, by enabling the light-sensing and proximity functions to be housed in a narrower bezel, TMD2755 supports the efforts of mobile phone manufacturers to increase the viewable display area. This has been considered to be a key factor in increasing consumer interest in mobile phones in the mid-range division of the market. Some prominent players in the global light sensor market include:

• AMS AG

• Analog Devices, Inc.

• Broadcom Inc.

• Elan Microelectronic Corp.

• Everlight Electronics Co. Ltd.

• Maxim Integrated Products Inc.

• ROHM Co. Ltd.

• Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

• Sharp Corporation

• Sitronix Technology Corporation

• STMicroelectronics NV

• Vishay Intertechnology Inc.

Light Sensor Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2016 to 2027. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global light sensor market report on the basis of function, output, end-use, and region:

• Function Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Ambient Light Sensing

  • Proximity Detection

  • RGB Color Sensing

  • Gesture Recognition

  • IR Detection

• Output Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Analog

  • Digital

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Automotive

  • Consumer Electronics

  • Industrial

  • Healthcare

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • MEA