Report: Consumer Goods to Drive IR Imaging Market

Sales of thermal imaging components surged in 2013, heralding future growth and a wider customer base for the uncooled IR imaging market, according to research firm Yole Developpement.

Consumer products are expected to see a 61 percent compound annual growth rate for 2013-2014 as inexpensive IR equipment is made available, Yole said. The firm noted the debut of the $349 Flir One smartphone module, which it predicts will sell more than 30,000 units.

Projections for the global uncooled IR camera market (in units): Total shipments forecast for a nominal scenario are designated in blue, while additional shipments for an optimistic scenario are in orange.

Prices will also decline for IR surveillance equipment, Yole predicted, and automotive applications such as pedestrian collision mitigation systems are expected to emerge in the coming years. Low-end thermography equipment at prices below $1,000 will drive growth in that sector.

The growth counters an overall slump in the IR imaging market that began a slump in 2012 and which Yole attributed to a decline in demand from the military.