Vibration Sensor Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Accelerometers, Displacement Sensor), By End-use (Oil & Gas, Automobile), By Material (Doped Silicon, Quartz), By Technology, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global vibration sensor market size was valued at USD 5.32 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1% from 2022 to 2030. The benefits offered by vibration sensors, including low cost, simple installation, and good response at high frequencies, are expected to drive market growth. The high vibration levels of robotic machinery in high-end industrial applications are expected to create the demand for accelerometers. Accelerometers are capable of controlling the damage caused to critical materials during high-speed operations, such as milling and cutting. The rising demand for Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS)-based vibration sensors across various industries, such as automobile and aerospace & defense, is driving the market growth.

In response to the rising demand, vendors are making efforts to launch enhanced MEMS-based sensors to strengthen their market position. For instance, in May 2021, STMicroelectronics announced the launch of the next-generation MEMS three-axis linear accelerometer, AIS2IH. This accelerometer can bring enhanced temperature stability, resolution, and mechanical robustness to automotive applications, such as telematics infotainment. The growing integration of enhanced technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in vibration sensors is creating opportunities for market growth. As a result, several vibration sensor providers are embedding AI technology in their products.

For instance, in September 2021, Reality Analytics Inc. announced that it would partner with Fujitsu Component Ltd. to bring Fujitsu Component Ltd.’s contactless vibration sensor to industrial and manufacturing applications. Through this partnership, the former company is expected to demonstrate AI-enabled contactless vibrating sensing based on Doppler radar. Researchers globally are focusing on bringing enhancements to accelerometers. For instance, in March 2021, the National Institute of Technology (NIST) researchers developed a new type of accelerometer that is based on opting mechanical and lasers principles. This sensor consists of a pair of silicon chips and could find use in spacecraft and aircraft, self-driving cars, tablets, and smartphones.

In addition, it could also be used in navigation systems where GPS is not available, such as satellites and submarines. The Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) is being increasingly used in autonomous cars in recent years, creating a new opportunity for market growth. The IMU consists of a gyroscope and accelerometer and is capable of measuring the angular rate and gravity of an object to which it is attached. The IMU is used in automotive vehicles across applications, such as Advanced Driver-assistance Systems (ADAS), electronic stability control, and lane-keeping assistance. The rising demand for autonomous vehicles across countries, such as the U.S., the U.K., and Germany, due to government efforts will also drive market growth.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

Owing to the lockdowns implemented amid the COVID-19 pandemic, several market vendors minimized their staff, which had a significant impact on the supply chain of the market. Increased restrictions due to the pandemic and disruptions caused in transportation, such as reduced availability of air transport, port closures, and border controls, limited the capacity of vibration sensor manufacturers to meet customer demand. This had an adverse impact on the operations and finances of businesses. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on industries and sectors, such as automotive, oil & gas, and aerospace & defense, is also likely to affect the market growth.

Vibration sensors have many applications in fracking operations in oil & gas refineries. As a result, the closure of several oil & gas refineries during the pandemic is expected to negatively impact market growth. However, the increased use of robotics to automate the process of drawing blood for COVID-19 detection has helped reduce the risk of infections to medical personnel. Vibration sensors enable these robots to monitor the intravascular blood pressure of patients. Some manufacturers have taken drastic steps to reduce the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their supply chains.

For instance, FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology, Inc. has minimized the shortage of raw material risk by implementing vertical integration and by utilizing domestic suppliers whenever possible. Such initiatives are likely to impact the market growth positively. However, there remains a concern over the delivery of vibration sensors to international as well as domestic customers.

Type Insights

The accelerometer segment dominated the market in 2021 and accounted for more than 44.0% share of the global revenue. This high share is attributed to the increasing adoption of accelerometers in industries, such as automotive, consumer electronics, and manufacturing, among others. Furthermore, several companies in the market, including Hansford Sensors and Robert Bosch LLC, are focusing on the development of tri-axial accelerometers, which is driving the segment growth. For instance, in October 2021, Endevco, a provider of measurement sensor solutions, announced the launch of Model 7298A, a triaxial variable capacitance accelerometer.

This accelerometer is designed to provide global accuracy and high thermal stability required for the measurement of low-frequency accelerations in automobile and aerospace environments. The displacement sensor segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The demand for displacement sensors is high across industries where robustness, precision, and cost competitiveness are important. The increasing adoption of displacement sensors for detecting defects in stacked Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) and the positioning of electronic components on PCBs is one of the major factors driving the segment growth. Moreover, displacement sensors are used in elevators for synchronizing the opening of elevator car doors with the level of building floors that boosts the segment growth further.

Technology Insights

The piezoresistive segment dominated the market in 2021 and accounted for more than 24.0% share of the global revenue. The benefits offered by piezoresistive vibration sensors, such as fixed sensitivity and cheaper electronics and cabling needs, are expected to drive the segment growth. Piezoresistive accelerometers are widely used in automobile safety applications, such as anti-lock braking systems, airbags, and traction control systems. Moreover, as compared to variable capacitance and optical sensors, piezoresistive accelerometers are more suitable for measuring both static and dynamic accelerations.

The growth of the segment is also fueled by the increased adoption of piezoresistive sensors for monitoring intravascular blood pressure. The tri-axial sensor segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period. The capability of a tri-axial sensor to provide a quick and accurate phase analysis is expected to drive its demand across industries. Furthermore, rising adoption in automotive gearboxes for the identification of gear mesh faults bodes well for the growth of this segment. Moreover, manufacturers, such as HILLCREST LABS and Micro-Epsilon, are emphasizing the development of 9-axis IMUs, which is expected to drive the tri-axial segment.

Material Insights

The quartz segment dominated the market in 2021 and accounted for more than 43.0% share of the global revenue. The benefits offered by quartz-based vibration sensors, such as high precision, low threshold, simple structure, and low power consumption, are expected to drive the segment growth. However, the use of quartz force sensors is impractical in weighing applications as the measurement signal generated by a quartz sensor decays over time, making long-term, static force measurements not feasible. Nevertheless, these sensors offer many advantages and several unique characteristics that make them an ideal choice for many dynamic force measurement requirements.

The piezoelectric ceramics segment is anticipated to register significant growth over the forecast period. A rise in the use of piezoelectric ceramics in applications, such as automotive and energy harvesting, is expected to drive the segment growth. They are also used in dynamic wheel balancing machines where a signal is generated in the sensor for every imbalance in the wheel. Furthermore, in recent years, there has been an increase in the adoption of piezoelectric ceramics-based vibration sensors in electric musical instruments, driving the segment growth. In addition, due to the higher sensitivity of piezoelectric ceramics-based accelerometers, they can be assembled with a smaller mass as compared to quartz, making them much lighter.

End-use Insights

The automobile segment dominated the market in 2021 and accounted for more than 27.0% share of the global revenue. The increased product usage in vehicles to detect mechanical vibrations, such as knocking from the engine body, is anticipated to drive the segment growth. Furthermore, in recent years, there has been an increase in the adoption of vibration sensors for the non-destructive testing of automobiles. Vibration sensors are used to measure the vibrations of rotating parts in an automobile engine. A global rise in the number of automobile accidents caused by engine failure has encouraged many governments to establish stringent automotive safety regulations. These regulations mandate the use of vibration sensors that monitor the condition of engines.

The aerospace & defense segment is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Accelerometers are used in the aerospace industry for applications, such as inertial navigation, industrial measurement, and guidance & control. Vibration sensors are also used for monitoring turbine engine failures as it is a primary cause of mechanical failures that increase the maintenance costs in the aerospace industry. As a result, companies in the aerospace & defense sector are increasingly adopting Prognostic & Health Management (PHM) systems for the prevention of mechanical failures and reduction in maintenance costs. As vibration is the most common health monitoring parameter in the aerospace engine industry, the development of PHM systems is likely to have a direct impact on market growth.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market in 2021 with a revenue share of more than 37.00%. This is attributed to the increased adoption of vibration sensors in the region’s well-established automotive sector. Furthermore, the region consists of some of the largest railway networks in the world with companies, such as the Canadian National Railway, Kansas City Southern Railway, and Norfolk Southern Railway. As a result, the product demand in applications, such as rail asset management, drives the market growth. Moreover, a rise in product demand in consumer electronics applications is estimated to support the regional market growth. The Asia Pacific regional market is expected to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period.

Growing automation across several industries in the regions is creating the need for advanced vibration sensors. Furthermore, low labor costs are encouraging global manufacturers to expand their production bases in countries, such as India, China, and South Korea. This is expected to drive the product demand in the region’s manufacturing sector. Furthermore, countries, such as China and Japan, are regarded as the manufacturing and assembling hubs for consumer electronics manufacturers, such as SAMSUNG and Sony Corporation. In consumer electronics, vibration sensors are used in applications, such as orientation detection and free-fall sensing.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Various players in the market are focusing on their R&D activities to develop new products. The R&D activities of Analog Devices, Inc. enabled it to launch the accelerometer, ADXL372, which is designed for the long-term monitoring of the physical condition of machines. Some of the other strategies adopted by market players are mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships. For instance, TE Connectivity, Ltd. has established a partnership with Mouser Electronics, Inc., under which, Mouser Electronics, Inc. distributes TE Connectivity, Ltd.’s vibration sensors across Europe.

Product innovation and heavy R&D investments are the major strategies used by leading players in the market. For instance, Analog Devices Inc.’s R&D expenses accounted for USD 1,296.1 million, USD 1,050.5 million, and USD 1,130.3 million in FY 2021, FY 2020, and FY 2019, respectively. The company uses the investments for enhancing its product offering and market position. Some of the prominent players in the global vibration sensor market are:

• ASC GmbH

• Analog Devices, Inc.

• Dytran Instruments Incorporated

• Honeywell International Inc.

• Hansford Sensors

• Safran Colibrys SA

• National Instruments Corporation

• TE Connectivity

• Bosch Sensortec GmbH

• Baumer

Vibration Sensor Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global vibration sensor market report based on type, technology, material, end-use, and region:

• Type Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Accelerometers

  • Velocity Sensor

  • Displacement Sensor

• Technology Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Piezoresistive

  • Strain Gauge

  • Variable Capacitance

  • Hand Probe

  • Optical Sensor

  • Tri-Axial Sensors

  • Others

• Material Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Doped Silicon

  • Piezoelectric Ceramics

  • Quartz

• End-use Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Automobile

  • Consumer Electronics

  • Healthcare

  • Aerospace & Defense

  • Oil & Gas

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa