The ADAS sensor market is accelerating

The pixel count of ADAS cameras has increased from 1.7, 5.4M to 8MP.

In June 2024, Yano Research Institute conducted a survey on the global market for ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) / autonomous driving sensors, predicting that the market size (manufacturer shipments) will reach approximately 3.7 trillion yen by 2030.

The survey targets sensor modules installed at the front, sides, and rear of vehicles. Specific products include 77GHz millimeter wave/24GHz sub-millimeter wave radars, sensing cameras, rearview/surround view cameras, ultrasonic sensors, LiDAR, and infrared lasers. It does not include sensors for MaaS vehicles at level 4 or higher or non-passenger LSVs (low-speed vehicles), and the survey period is from April 2023 to February 2024.

The global ADAS/autonomous driving sensor market size is expected to be 1,548.5 billion yen in 2023. The standard installation of AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) has made progress in Japan, the United States, and Europe. In China, the number of models equipped with this technology is also increasing.

As a result, shipments of ADAS radars and cameras used for detecting objects and people in front of the vehicle have increased. The market size for ADAS radars (including those using 77GHz millimeter waves or 24GHz sub-millimeter waves) is expected to reach 456.2 billion yen by 2023. The automotive camera market, including sensing cameras and rear/surround view cameras, is also expected to reach 935.6 billion yen.

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The demand for ADAS sensors (mainly radars and cameras) is expected to continue to grow after 2024. The global ADAS/autonomous driving sensor market size is expected to reach 1,605.1 billion yen in 2024.

The global ADAS/autonomous driving sensor market size is expected to reach 3,692.9 billion yen by 2030. The reason behind this is the adoption rate of ADAS. It is almost 100% in Japan, the United States, and Europe, and over 80% in China. It is expected that the demand in ASEAN and India will also seriously pick up from 2028.In addition, to comply with NCAP (New Car Assessment Program), it is expected that the number of radars installed will increase. Reflecting these trends, it is predicted that the market size for ADAS radars will reach 1.094 trillion yen by 2030. Furthermore, it is expected that by 2030, the E/E (Electrical/Electronic) architecture will be applied to mid-range models, with an increase in the number of sensors installed per vehicle, supporting the expansion of the market size.

ADAS/Autonomous Driving Sensor Global Market Size Forecast

In the same research report, Yano Research Institute lists "higher pixel resolution for ADAS cameras and side/rear applications" as a focus point. The pixel count of ADAS cameras currently installed in mass-produced vehicles is 1.7MP (megapixels) or 5.4MP. In the future, the adoption of 8MP cameras will become more widespread in Japan, the United States, and Europe. One of the main reasons for choosing high-pixel products is that the FOV (Field of View) can be increased to 120 degrees, thereby further enhancing safety.

Moreover, to achieve Level 2 urban (L2 general road) and high-performance memory parking assistance systems (L2 valet parking assistance), there is a positive trend in installing ADAS cameras on the sides and rear, in addition to the front. It is expected that in the long term, the shipment of ADAS cameras will increase.

Comparison of Advantages and Disadvantages of Four Types of ADAS Perception Sensors

Sensor technology is a key factor in the development of ADAS. It must not only detect everything that drivers can see but also detect things that drivers cannot see or have not noticed. Currently, there are mainly four types of sensors: cameras, ultrasonic radars, millimeter-wave radars, and LiDARs, each with its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of performance, cost, and packaging. Existing ADAS functions are increasingly using multiple sensors to achieve redundancy in road perception and ensure safety.

In-vehicle Cameras

Camera-based solutions have become the preferred sensor technology for ADAS developers. Among them, monocular/binocular front-view cameras are particularly important.Another camera technology that has established a foothold in the development of ADAS is thermal imaging. Thermal imaging does not use visible light and is particularly suitable for detecting humans and animals, especially in low visibility or at night. About ten years ago, this technology first appeared in the passive night vision assistance systems of high-end brands.

Thermal imaging cameras have a range of about 300 meters and are not affected by fog, dust, low sun glare, and of course, complete darkness. They will play an important role in ADAS sensor technology.

Millimeter Wave Radar

Millimeter wave radar detects objects based on the principle of electromagnetic waves being reflected by obstacles. In ADAS applications, radar can be divided into three categories: Short-Range Radar (SRR), Medium-Range Radar (MRR), and Long-Range Radar (LRR).

Traditionally, SRR systems operate around 24 GHz, but due to the limited bandwidth of the 24 GHz frequency and changing regulatory requirements, the industry has shifted towards 77 GHz (both frequencies have wavelengths in the millimeter range, hence the name millimeter wave radar). The effective range of SRR is about 10 meters, but it can reach up to 30 meters, making it suitable for blind spot detection, lane change assistance, parking assistance, and cross-traffic monitoring systems.

MRR and LRR ADAS functions have already adopted the 77 GHz frequency, which provides higher resolution (relatively speaking) and greater accuracy in speed and distance measurements. The detection range of MRR is between 30 meters and 80 meters, while LRR can reach up to 200 meters in some cases, suitable for systems such as ACC adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

LiDAR

LiDAR works essentially the same as millimeter wave radar, but uses lasers instead of electromagnetic waves to detect high-resolution 3D images of the surrounding environment. Solid-state LiDAR is suitable for automotive applications. Although its cost and threshold are relatively high, it is gradually becoming more common in ADAS development with technological advancements.

Ultrasonic Radar

Ultrasonic sensors use reflected sound waves to calculate the distance to objects. Among all ADAS sensor technologies, ultrasonic technology is the oldest and most mature, with a wide range of applications in industry, scientific research, and medical fields.