Asia Pacific (APAC) Proximity Sensor Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027

A proximity sensor is a sensor that can detect the presence of things nearby without requiring physical contact. It detects the reflection of an object's proximity or distance from the sensor by radiating or emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, usually in the form of infrared light. Asia-Pacific region's accelerated industrialization and economic expansion lure investors to countries like China and India. Smartphone production has surged in nations such as Japan, China, and India as a result of technological improvements. Furthermore, during the forecast period, the market is likely to benefit from rapid growth in the manufacturing industry and rising demand for proximity sensors in consumer electronics devices. In addition, the market for proximity sensors in the region is being fueled by an increase in smartphone production, automobile production, and sales.

The growing use of proximity sensors in the automotive industry is propelling the Asia Pacific proximity sensor market forward.

Proximity sensors monitor nearly everything inside and outside a car, allowing onboard computers to make judgments. The decisions aid in improving engine performance, lowering emissions, increasing safety, and providing other benefits. One of the major factors boosting demand for automotive proximity sensors is autonomous driving. The increased vehicle production in major countries such as China, India, and others is expected to fuel market growth for proximity sensors. According to a study conducted by the CEEW Centre for Energy Finance, India's electric car market will be worth US$ 206 billion by 2030. Electric vehicle part producers, commercial electric vehicles, and last-mile delivery corporations funded Rs. 25,045 crore (US$ 3.67 billion) on electric vehicles between January and July 2021. Several automotive and technology businesses have expressed interest in the Indian EV market. Electric vehicles have been launched to the market by MG Motors, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Tata Motors. According to the China Passenger Car Association, deliveries of electric vehicles increased by 141 percent to 320,000 units in October 2021. Electric vehicles, comprising plug-in hybrids, accounted for roughly 19 out of every 100 passenger vehicles sold in the country. The increased demand for proximity sensors is mostly due to the widespread use of ADAS and AD systems. The South Korean government enforced AEB in all new passenger automobiles from January 2019. These rules will accelerate the expansion of the ADAS market soon, boosting the market for proximity sensors even further.

The increasing use of proximity sensors in consumer electronics is likely to be a major driver of market expansion.

The Asia Pacific region is an electronics center, with millions of electronic products produced each year for use in the region as well as exported to other parts of the world. This massive volume of electronic devices and components contributes significantly to the market share for proximity sensors. A proximity sensor in smartphones detects how close the phone is to an external surface, such as an ear. This detection is used to switch off the backlight and reduce display power consumption during a call. The touch screen is likewise disabled to prevent inadvertent touches by the cheek. According to India Brand Equity Foundation, due to increasing customer demand following the lockdown, smartphone shipments in India hit 150 million units in 2020, with 5G smartphone shipments surpassing 4 million. In the second quarter of 2021, smartphone shipments in India surged by 82 percent year on year to 33 million units. With 28.4 percent of the Indian smartphone market, Xiaomi was first, followed by Samsung with 17.7 percent. Moreover, due to increased consumer demand, Lenovo announced intentions to expand manufacturing capabilities in India across multiple product categories, including PCs, laptops, and smartphones, in September 2021.

The technology advancement coupled with major developments by key players in the market is further expected to grow the demand for proximity sensors in the region. For instance, in July 2019, Omron Automation, a leading provider of sophisticated industrial automation solutions, announced the availability of over 2,500 new E2E NEXT proximity sensor variants with extremely long detecting distances and IoT capabilities. Similarly, in September 2021, Xiaomi collaborated with Elliptic Labs to develop the AI Virtual Proximity Sensor INNER BEAUTY, which is available on the new Xiaomi 11T smartphone. Moreover, in January 2022, OPPO introduced the OPPO A36, a new affordable smartphone in China. It comes with all necessary sensors, including an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, and a fingerprint sensor on the side.

COVID-19 Insights

The pandemic had a mixed influence on the market for proximity sensors in the Asia Pacific. The consumer electronics industry was positively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak as demand for smartphones, laptops, and other products rose. This supported the growth of the proximity sensors market in this industry. However, other sectors such as automotive, aerospace and defense, and more witnessed a slowdown due to disruptions in the supply chain and containment measures by the governments in response to the pandemic.

Market Segmentation:

By Type

• Capacitive
• Photoelectric
• Inductive
• Magnetic
• Others

By Industry Vertical

• Automotive
• Consumer Electronics
• Manufacturing
• Aerospace & Defense
• Others

By Country

• China
• Japan
• South Korea
• India
• Thailand
• Taiwan
• Indonesia
• Others