Ultrasonic Sensors Market Size (2024 – 2030)

The Global Ultrasonic Sensors Market size was exhibited at USD 9 Billion in 2023 and is projected to hit around USD 21.17 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 13% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2030.

The electronic device referred to as an ultrasonic sensor emits ultrasonic sound waves and transforms the reflected sound into an electrical signal, allowing it to ascertain the distance of an object. The audible nature of ultrasonic waves to the human ear is attributed to their faster movement compared to audible sounds. Comprising a transmitter and a receiver, the sensor functions by transmitting sound through piezoelectric crystals, with the receiver capturing the sound after it has traveled to and from the target. Widely utilized in self-parking technology and anti-collision safety systems for automobiles, ultrasonic sensors find frequent applications in healthcare systems, facilitating the detection of tumors, imaging of internal organs, and monitoring the health of unborn children.

Anticipated growth in the ultrasonic sensors market is driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses and injuries affecting muscles, joints, tendons, and internal organs. The affordability and absence of adverse effects associated with ultrasonic sensors contribute to their heightened usage in various surgical procedures. Their integration into the automotive sector for features like collision avoidance, parking assistance, automatic braking, security alarms, and obstacle recognition further propels market expansion. The adoption of advanced driver assistance systems in automobiles generates a high demand for ultrasonic sensors. The rise of automated mobile trolleys prompts increased technological investments by businesses. However, market growth may be hindered by limitations in detection range. For example, the physical impossibility of installing ultrasonic parking sensors in the bumper of certain vehicles due to the presence of crash safety bars is a potential constraint.

Key Market Insights:

The growing incidence of chronic illnesses and injuries to muscles, joints, tendons, and internal organs is anticipated to fuel the expansion of the ultrasonic sensors market. The cost-effectiveness and lack of adverse effects associated with ultrasonic sensors lead to their increased application in various surgical procedures. The automotive sector experiences growth with the incorporation of ultrasonic sensors for traditional advancements such as collision avoidance, parking assistance, automatic braking, security alarms, and obstacle recognition. High demand for ultrasonic sensors is driven by the adoption of advanced driver assistance systems in the automotive sector, contributing to market expansion. The introduction of automated mobile trolleys compels businesses to invest more in technology. Constraints such as detection range limitations may impede market growth, with physical challenges, such as the presence of crash safety bars, making it difficult to install ultrasonic parking sensors in the bumper of certain vehicles.

Global Ultrasonic Sensors Market Drivers:

The advancement of ultrasonic sensors for detection is anticipated to propel market expansion.

Ultrasonic sensors find extensive applications in various domains, including level measurement, distance measurement, and object detection, owing to their superiority over traditional sensors. Their non-contact nature enables the measurement of target distance or level without physical contact, making them suitable for deployment in harsh or hazardous environments where traditional sensors may not be effective. Moreover, ultrasonic sensors exhibit enhanced accuracy and reliability compared to their traditional counterparts, operating effectively across a broader range of temperatures and environments. The escalating demand for automation, coupled with the growth of industries like automotive, healthcare, and consumer electronics, contributes to the ongoing expansion of the ultrasonic sensor market. The continuous development of novel applications and the integration of ultrasonic sensors across diverse industries are anticipated to fuel market growth in the foreseeable future.

The emergence of driverless vehicles stands out as a significant trend impacting the demand for these sensors. Additionally, the commercialization of self-driving services has necessitated adjustments to accommodate innovation and reduce reliance on human drivers, redirecting efforts toward autonomous navigation and information provision to meet specified objectives. Consequently, the incorporation of ultrasonic sensors has contributed to a heightened Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in the global Ultrasonic Sensor market in recent years.

Increased applications across diverse industries to accelerate market momentum

Ultrasonic sensors find widespread utility across various industrial sectors. In the medical domain, these sensors are employed in ultrasonography; within the automotive field, they play a crucial role in parking assistance systems and gesture recognition. Consumer applications encompass smart homes, fingerprint sensors, and smart robots. Furthermore, in industrial settings, ultrasonic sensors are instrumental in non-destructive testing and the automation of flow, volume, and thickness measurements. The broad spectrum of applications across these industries is expected to significantly contribute to the growth of the global ultrasonic sensors market throughout the forecast period.

Global Ultrasonic Sensors Market Restraints and Challenges:

The market pace is anticipated to be hindered by functional flaws observed in certain ultrasonic sensors.

While many ultrasonic sensors demonstrate efficient distance measurement capabilities of up to 400cm with a slight tolerance of 3mm, inaccuracies may arise when a target object is positioned in a manner that causes ultrasonic signals to deflect rather than reflect the sensors. Additionally, materials like carpet and fabric absorb acoustic signals, preventing them from reflecting to the ultrasonic sensors, thereby disrupting distance measurements. Consequently, these functional limitations are expected to impede the growth of the global ultrasonic sensors market throughout the forecast period. However, industry leaders are actively engaged in the development of more efficient and accurate ultrasonic sensor technology, which is poised to support market growth in the years to come.

The availability of radar sensors is identified as a limiting factor for the widespread adoption of ultrasonic sensors.

Ultrasonic sensors face stiff competition from vendors offering radar sensors, impacting their adoption and subsequently hindering the growth of the global ultrasonic sensors market in the forecast period. For example, in March 2020, VEGA introduced a novel Radar level sensor designed to replace Ultrasonics in the water industry. This innovative radar level device from VEGA overcomes buildup issues, delivering accurate measurements in the water and wastewater industry. Such advancements are likely to pose challenges to market growth in the foreseeable future.

Global Ultrasonic Sensors Market Opportunities:

The forecast period is expected to witness growth opportunities in the global ultrasonic sensors market, driven by an increase in the number of research projects aimed at enhancing sensor efficiency. An example of such initiatives is the European research project launched in November 2022 named "Spartacus," which stands for "spatially resolved acoustic, mechanical, and ultrasonic sensing for smart batteries." The applications of these sensors are expanding in various battery-powered products, and numerous research projects are dedicated to improving the efficiency of ultrasonic sensors. This focus aims to provide longer stability of performance and faster charging for various battery-powered products, including electric vehicles (EVs) and smartphones. Consequently, this aspect is poised to introduce multiple growth opportunities in the market.

The global ultrasonic sensors market is expected to experience business opportunities through the increasing development of ultrasonic sensors and their integration with data collection points. Ultrasonic handheld devices have evolved into crucial technologies, and when combined with internet capabilities, they can offer robust monitoring solutions. This integration involves connecting ultrasonic sensors to network-enabled devices, allowing the sensors to collect data from assets and transfer it to central devices for processing. This connectivity enhances maintenance and reliability programs significantly, creating lucrative opportunities in the market.

ULTRASONIC SENSORS MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Global Ultrasonic Sensors Market Segmentation: By Product

• Ultrasonic Through Beam Sensor

• Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor

• Ultrasonic Retro-Reflective Sensor

The Ultrasonic Sensor Market segmentation, based on product, includes Ultrasonic through Beam Sensors, Ultrasonic Proximity Sensors, and Ultrasonic Retro-Reflective sensors. The Ultrasonic through Beam Sensors segment held the majority share in 2023 of the Ultrasonic Sensor Market and is expected to continue to dominate the market during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the increasing demand for ultrasonic through-beam sensors in various end-use industries, such as automotive, aerospace, and industrial, where they are used for precise and reliable object detection and positioning.

Global Ultrasonic Sensors Market Segmentation: By Application

• Anti-Collision Detection

• Distance Measurement

• Liquid Level Measurement

• Object Detection

In terms of application, the Ultrasonic Sensor Market segmentation includes Anti-Collision Detection, Distance Measurement, Liquid Level Measurement, and Object Detection. The Anti-Collision Detection segment led the market in 2023 and is projected to be the rapidly growing segment from 2024 to 2030. The surge in this segment is driven by the increasing demand for safety and security systems across diverse end-use industries such as automotive, aerospace, and industrial sectors. Ultrasonic sensors play a pivotal role in anti-collision detection systems by identifying obstacles and issuing warnings to drivers or operators to avert collisions, positively influencing the overall Ultrasonic Sensor market growth.

Global Ultrasonic Sensors Market Segmentation: By Region

• North America 

• Asia-Pacific 

• Europe 

• South America 

• Middle East and Africa

The research provides market insights for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World by region. In the Asia-Pacific region, a burgeoning automotive industry is fostering the expansion of the ultrasonic sensor market, fueled by a rising need for advanced safety and security systems. Additionally, the industrial sector in the region is witnessing an upsurge in the demand for ultrasonic sensors, particularly for applications like distance measurement and level measurement. The growth of the ultrasonic sensor market in the Asia-Pacific region is further propelled by the escalating demand in the food and beverage as well as pharmaceutical industries. Moreover, investments in research and development for advanced ultrasonic sensors, coupled with a surging demand for energy-efficient and eco-friendly products, contribute to the overall growth of the ultrasonic sensor market in the Asia-Pacific region.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the Global Ultrasonic Sensors Market:

The global ultrasonic sensors market witnessed a transformation in its applications due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The substantial increase in hospitalizations and COVID-19-related fatalities prompted the implementation of stringent lockdowns and adherence to social distancing measures worldwide. Governments globally sought innovative technologies to enforce these new norms and restrictions effectively. Consequently, ultrasonic range sensors gained considerable traction during the pandemic, facilitating the accurate measurement of distances between individuals to ensure social distancing in various settings. The development of IoT-enabled smart masks, automated sanitizer dispensers, and machine-learning-based non-contact patient monitoring, driven by extensive research and development activities, played a pivotal role in discovering novel approaches to combat the pandemic, thereby influencing the growth of the ultrasonic sensor industry.

Recent Trends and Developments in the Global Ultrasonic Sensors Market:

In February 2023, PiL Sensoren GmbH introduced a customized variant of the well-established sensor series P47, featuring high-precision ultrasonic sensors tailored for fundamental applications such as distance and level measurements within a range of up to 5,000mm. These sensors demonstrate proficiency in detecting even small objects due to their sound intensity.

In February 2022, Migatron Corp., a prominent ultrasonic sensor manufacturer based in the USA, unveiled two new sensor models designed for displacement measurement and proximity detection tasks in production line applications, including high-speed counting and liquid level monitoring. These additions cater to various areas of process control.

Also in February 2022, Siemens launched the ACUSON Sequoia, addressing challenges in ultrasound imaging. This advanced system incorporates updates in contrast-enhanced ultrasound and elastography through the implementation of the Deep Abdominal Transducer (DAX). Boasting a penetration power of up to 40cm, it enables high-resolution imaging at greater depths without compromising real-time performance.

Key Players:

1. Siemens AG

2. Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH

3. Honeywell International, Inc.

4. Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd

5. Rockwell Automation, Inc

6. Robert Bosch GmbH

7. Baumer Ltd

8. Schneider Electric SE

9. MaxBotix Inc

10. Omron Corporation