The markets for machine vision hardware in EMEA and Asia Pacific are forecast to grow at 6.2% and 8.0% p.a. respectively over the next five years, according to leading automation analyst IMS Research. The prime driver for this increase is predicted to be the substantial growth in the use of smart cameras and smart sensors.

Senior Market Analyst John Morse commented: “Both regions are forecast to experience reasonable growth in terms of revenue with even higher growth rates of 9.1% and 11.1% in terms of unit shipments. This reflects the significant price erosion that is expected for all the product groups analysed in this report”.

IMS Research consulted manufacturers and users for its study and concluded that there is a strong requirement for a “smart” solution to machine vision where features are integrated into the camera and where set up and use are made easy. As a consequence, the frame grabber market is forecast to decline substantially in revenue terms. Amongst the trends predicted is the substantial growth anticipated in the use of Ethernet for communications in machine vision systems.

Morse continued: “The machine vision market is changing very quickly, not only from a technological point of view but in the consolidation of manufacturing companies that have taken place recently, a trend that is forecast to continue.”

About IMS Research

IMS Research is a specialist supplier of market research and consultancy services on global electronics markets. Information from IMS Research is used by major companies worldwide to assess market trends, solve marketing problems, and improve the efficiency of their businesses. IMS Research is an international company, selling in more than 35 countries around the world and supported by offices in Wellingborough, UK and Austin, Texas. IMS Research regularly publishes detailed research on automation and industrial control markets, including PLCs, HMIs, industrial PCs, machine vision, Ethernet and fieldbuses.

John Morse Senior Market Research Analyst IMS Research – UK Tel. +44 1933 402255 john.morse@imsresearch.com www.imsresearch.com