North American Machine Vision Market Grows 15% to Record High in 2014

Ann Arbor, Michigan – North American sales of machine vision components and systems grew 15% to $2.3 billion in 2014, its highest annual total on record, according to new statistics issued by AIA, the industry’s trade group.

Total machine vision sales include sales of machine vision systems and components. The machine vision systems category saw growth of 16% to $2.0 billion in 2014. Within machine vision systems, sales of smart cameras expanded by 28% to $301 million, while application specific machine vision (ASMV) systems increased 14% to $1.7 billion.

Similarly, machine vision components had a strong year with 13% growth to $305 million. The leading product categories for machine vision components in terms of growth were software (19% to $16 million), cameras (17% to $165 million), lighting (16% to $51 million), and optics (14% $38 million).

“Industry experts expect demand to continue increasing for machine vision components in the next six months,” said Alex Shikany, AIA’s Director of Market Analysis. “For machine vision systems however, 54% of survey respondents believe the category will remain flat, 27% expect an increase, and 19% expect a decline.”

“The strength of the machine vision industry will be on full display at Automate 2015, March 23-26 in Chicago,” said AIA President Jeff Burnstein. “With two weeks to go, the exhibit floor is 77% larger than our 2013 event. The show’s impressive growth reflects the record high levels of interest in machine vision and other automation technologies.” Full details about Automate 2015 can be found at the Automate Show website.

In addition to its sales tracking report, AIA will be releasing its 2015 Global Machine Vision Camera Study later this year, which will be available at a discounted rate to AIA members. AIA also prepares studies on special topics and industries, such as its upcoming Life Sciences report, which it makes available to all AIA members free of charge on Vision Online.

About AIA
Founded in 1984 to advance the understanding and use of imaging and vision technologies and to drive global expansion and growth through education and promotion, AIA now represents over 340 vision suppliers, system integrators, users, researchers, and consulting firms from 32 countries. AIA is best known for The Vision Show (May 3-5, 2016 in Boston); vision and imaging standards such as GigE Vision®, Camera Link®, Camera Link HS™ and USB3 Vision™; the Automate Show (March 23-26, 2015 in Chicago); the annual AIA Business Conference; the Certified Vision Professional program; AIA Certified System Integrator program; and Vision Online, the world’s leading online resource for vision information.  AIA is part of the Association for Advancing Automation.  For more information on AIA, visit Vision Online or contact AIA Headquarters at (734) 994-6088.

About Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
The Association for Advancing Automation is the global advocate for the benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done. A3 is the umbrella group for Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA - Advancing Vision + Imaging, and Motion Control Association (MCA). RIA, AIA, and MCA combined represent some 800 automation manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups and consulting firms from throughout the world that drive automation forward.

For more information, please visit our websites: A3; RIA; AIA; MCA.