InGaAs Cameras Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Use in autonomous cars- The InGaAs cameras market has enormous potential with regard to the introduction of InGaAs cameras in driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles. SWIR imaging, by detecting pedestrians, road signs and markings etc. allows vehicles to drive safely in foggy conditions at night. Trieye's SWIR imaging sensor has recently been demonstrated to aid driver assistance and autonomous driving. There were some 31 million cars on the road in 2019, which had a minimum level of automation. They are expected to be more than 54 million by 2024.
• The emerging use of quantum computing- A major area of opportunity is the growing research on the use of SWIR photons for quantum computing. InGaAs cameras are capable of detecting a single photon, which can contribute to the development of quantum computers. Developments in this direction are being pursued by companies such as Quantum Opus. The business opportunities would be broadened by partnerships between camera and quantum technology companies.
• Growing applications in food inspection- the potential of InGaAs camera manufacturers to enter the food industry is created by their ability to image with SWIR hyperspectral imaging in a wide variety of tasks, such as quality monitoring and detection of alien objects. In 2021, Resonon entered into a partnership with IMSpec to develop turnkey solutions for food inspection combining SWIR hyperspectral imaging camera with analysis software.
• Increasing demand for security and surveillance- Demand for products has been driven by an increase in the number of installations of security and surveillance systems, as well as increased emphasis on safety and security particularly within the business sector. For the InGaAs cameras it is possible to view with round-the-clock imaging irrespective of low light conditions. Recently, Revel Eye has begun to deploy security cameras for real-time monitoring through SWIR.

Challenges

• Compared to the transparent spectrum cameras, it is more costly- The high cost of InGaAs sensors and cameras compared to silicon visible cameras is caused by the complex manufacturing process in which they are produced. It constitutes a major obstacle to the mass adoption of SWIR cameras across all cost-sensitive sectors, thus limiting growth in the InGaAs cameras market. SWIR camera costs range from about 4 to 5 times the normal cost for plain sight cameras.
• Market growth is hampered by the strict export regulations applicable to SWIR cameras in a few countries due to their sensitive use within the defence sector. In order to impede international trade and raise product prices, companies are required to obtain export authorisations for the sale of Infrared cameras.
• The key challenge is that there is a lack of awareness about the capabilities and benefits of InGaAs based SWIR imaging in developing regions.