The sensor technology landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by societal shifts and technological advancements. As we look towards 2035, the demand for sensors is expected to grow significantly across various sectors, including automotive, industrial, healthcare, consumer electronics, and environmental monitoring. This article explores the key trends and innovations in sensor technology, drawing insights from IDTechEx’s extensive research on sensor topics.
Societal trends driving sensor demand
Big data and artificial intelligence
Data-driven insights are driving demand for large numbers of smarter sensors, which helps with better decision-making. The rise of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) can also make sensors smarter. These technologies enhance sensor functionality and expand their application scope. For example, emerging image sensors can process vast amounts of visual data, enabling real-time decision-making and improving efficiency. In autonomous vehicles, AI processes lidar data to create detailed 3D maps and understand the vehicle’s environment, advancing autonomous driving capabilities and safety features. Additionally, in-cabin sensing technologies use AI to monitor driver and passenger behavior, enhancing safety and comfort by adjusting climate control and providing personalized experiences. In robotics, sensors combined with AI allow robots to navigate, detect objects, and interact with their environment more effectively.
Automation and electrification
The push towards automation and electrification significantly impacts sensor technology, especially in the automotive and manufacturing industries. In the automotive sector, sensors like radar, lidar, and image sensors (including thermal imaging sensors) are crucial for developing advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles. These sensors provide safety redundancy, essential for protecting drivers, passengers, and other road users. For instance, despite debates over the necessity of lidar due to its high cost, its high accuracy and robustness make it a popular choice for enhancing vehicle autonomy.
Figure 1. Minimum hardware requirements for ADAS/AV.
In addition to safety, automation and electrification helps to improve user experience within vehicles. The various in-cabin sensing technologies are transforming the automotive experience by enhancing comfort, safety, and personalization. Sensors can monitor driver behavior, detect fatigue, and adjust environmental controls to optimize comfort. These innovations are paving the way for more intelligent and responsive vehicle interiors.
In manufacturing, the integration of sensors in robotics is a foundational technology for Industry 4.0, which combines traditional manufacturing with advanced technologies. Sensors enable real-time data collection, optimizing production processes and transforming manufacturing floors into connected, efficient, and reliable operations. Sensors such as force and torque sensors are vital in collaborative robots (cobots) to ensure safety and precision in human-robot interactions. These sensors help detect human presence and prevent collisions, making robots safer and more effective in shared workspaces.
Aging population and healthcare
The global aging population drives demand for sensors that support health and well-being. Wearable sensors enable continuous health monitoring, tracking vital signs like heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and sleep patterns. Biosensors are also advancing point-of-care testing and decentralized healthcare, crucial for improving the quality of life for aging populations.
Energy efficiency and sustainability
Energy efficiency is a critical concern for sensor technology. Sensors optimize energy consumption and integrate renewable energy sources. For example, printed and flexible sensors monitor battery health and manage thermal solutions, enhancing electric vehicle battery efficiency and longevity. Sensors for autonomous vehicle can improve traffic efficiency and reduce emissions by optimizing vehicle operations, leading to more sustainable transportation solutions. Environmental gas sensors monitor pollution and air quality, contributing to sustainability by improving energy use in buildings and reducing the environmental footprint.
Supply chain and material considerations
Sensor technology development is influenced by supply chain dynamics and material innovations. As new sensor technologies emerge, material and component providers seek applications for their products, driving innovation and exploration of new sensor areas. For example, advancements in flexible materials, such as PDMS, PET, polyurethane, or polyimide, as well as materials with elastic, thermal, electrical, and even biodegradable properties can enable sensors to be highly customizable and easily tailored for end-use applications. Also, new material development can be applied in diverse sectors in emerging image sensors, especially to detect wavelengths beyond the visible spectrum. Quantum dots (QDs) are revolutionizing image sensors by enabling applications in consumer electronics and beyond. They offer tunable optical and electrical properties, which are advantageous for capturing images in different light conditions, including near-infrared and short-wave infrared ranges.
Figure 2. Emerging image sensor technologies.
Technological innovations in sensor technology
Manufacturing innovations
Sensors can now be manufactured by printing on flexible substrates using techniques like inkjet and screen printing. The low-temperature printing method can apply sensors on large-area substrates of various materials including silicone, polyimide, and polyurethane, etc. Printed sensors can offer hybrid functionality in a compact form factor. For instance, printing sensors as sheets allows different sensing layers to be stacked and combined with minimal impact on form factor or weight. Hybrid organic photodiode on CMOS, quantum dot on CMOS, as well as some gas sensors and biosensors can also be manufactured by this new method.
More powerful functions
Emerging image sensor technologies enhance traditional sensors by offering improved resolution and wavelength detection. Short-wave infrared (SWIR) sensors, for instance, provide better object recognition and reduced scattering, ideal for industrial inspection and autonomous vehicles.
Innovative emerging sensors
Quantum sensors are at the forefront of sensor technology, offering unparalleled precision and sensitivity. They have the potential to transform fields such as navigation and environmental monitoring, enabling breakthroughs like detecting gravitational waves or improving GPS precision.
Figure 3. Quantum sensor market technologies and applications roadmap.
Conclusion
The next decade promises exciting advancements in sensor technology. As sensors become more integrated, energy-efficient, and intelligent, they will play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of technology and society. Addressing challenges such as interoperability and security will be essential to fully realize the potential of sensor technology by 2035. By focusing on these areas, sensors will continue transforming industries and improving our quality of life.
IDTechEx offers a comprehensive portfolio of independent sensors-related research, including reports on lidar, radar, emerging image sensors, printed and flexible sensors, in-cabin sensing, gas sensors, and wearable sensors, amongst many others. To see the full portfolio and find out more about the trends, developments, and opportunities in the sensors landscape, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research/Sensors. Downloadable sample pages are available for all IDTechEx reports.
Dr. Xiaoxi He
Research Director, Topic Lead, IDTechEx
Technology Innovations Outlook 2025-2035
This article is from “Technology Innovations Outlook 2025-2035”, a free collection of insights from industry experts highlighting key technology innovation trends shaping the next decade. You can download the full collection here.
About IDTechEx
IDTechEx provides trusted independent research on emerging technologies and their markets. Since 1999, we have been helping our clients to understand new technologies, their supply chains, market requirements, opportunities and forecasts. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit www.IDTechEx.com.
