North American machine-vision market grows 15% to record high
North American sales of machine vision components and systems grew 15% to $2.3 billion in 2014, its highest annual total on record, according to new statistics issued by AIA, the industry’s trade group. Total machine-vision sales include sales of machine vision systems and components. The machine-vision systems category saw growth of 16% to $2.0 billion in 2014. Within machine vision systems, sales of smart cameras expanded by 28% to $301 million, while application-specific machine-vision (ASMV) systems increased 14% to $1.7 billion.
Similarly, machine vision components had a strong year with 13% growth to $305 million. The leading product categories for machine vision components in terms of growth were software (19% to $16 million), cameras (17% to $165 million), lighting (16% to $51 million), and optics (14% $38 million).
“Industry experts expect demand to continue increasing for machine-vision components in the next six months,” said Alex Shikany, AIA’s director of market analysis. “For machine-vision systems however, 54% of survey respondents believe the category will remain flat, 27% expect an increase, and 19% expect a decline.”
“The strength of the machine vision industry will be on full display at Automate 2015, March 23-26 in Chicago,” said AIA president Jeff Burnstein. “With two weeks to go, the exhibit floor is 77% larger than our 2013 event. The show’s impressive growth reflects the record high levels of interest in machine vision and other automation technologies.”
In addition to its sales tracking report, AIA will be releasing its 2015 Global Machine Vision Camera Study later this year, which will be available at a discounted rate to AIA members. AIA also prepares studies on special topics and industries, such as its upcoming Life Sciences report, which it makes available to all AIA members free.
