North American Machine Vision Market Grows 10% in First Quarter of 2017

North American sales of machine vision systems and components increased 10% year over year to $597 million in the first quarter of 2017, 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 increased 10% to $509 million in the first quarter of 2017. Within machine vision systems, sales of smart cameras climbed 16% to $87 million, while application specific machine vision (ASMV) systems grew eight percent to $422 million.

The machine vision components category also grew eight percent in the first quarter of 2017 to $85 million. Every individual component category, including cameras, lighting, optics, imaging boards, and software, increased to begin the year.

“Our most recent survey of industry experts shows that 50% of respondents expect the market to increase over the next six months, 40% predict stagnation, and only 10% are bracing for a decline,” said Alex Shikany, AIA’s Director of Market Analysis. “Vision companies continue to explore new applications in a variety of industries adopting the technology. The move toward smart factories utilizing the industrial internet of things is also providing more opportunities for vision today than ever before.”

“The market’s growing interest in vision technology was apparent at our Automate show and conference in Chicago this year,” said AIA President Jeff Burnstein. “There were a record number of vision exhibitors at the show who were displaying cutting edge new vision technology. Automate’s educational conference – which included AIA’s Basic and Advanced Certified Vision Professional programs – also drew record attendance.”

Automate 2017 Breaks Attendance Records
As Burnstein mentioned, AIA and its parent group, the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), see the impact of the growth in demand for vision and related automation at industry events such as Automate 2017, recently held in Chicago from April 3-6, 2017. This year’s show featured more than 400 exhibitors displaying their latest technologies and services, including global suppliers of vision systems, metrology, software, system integration services, robotics, motion control, and motors for enterprises large and small. Over 20,000 people attended Automate 2017, including over 1,000 participants in the 120+ Automate conference sessions held at the event.

“All of our statistics increased significantly from the last Automate show in 2015,” added Burnstein. “Total number of show attendees jumped 37 percent and conference participation grew by over 90 percent compared to 2015. This growth demonstrates that there is an increasing need for an event like Automate that provides practical, real-world solutions for companies currently automating or considering automation.”

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Collaborative Robots & Advanced Vision Conference Set
AIA and its sister group, RIA – Robotic Industries Association, are teaming up to bring more content on leading-edge vision, imaging, and robotic trends in 2017. The Collaborative Robots & Advanced Vision Conference will take place November 15-16 in San Jose, CA, and will feature presentations from market leaders in the fields. AIA is now accepting abstracts for potential speakers, and more information will be available in the coming weeks on the AIA and RIA websites.

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 some 360 vision suppliers, system integrators, users, researchers, and consulting firms from 32 countries. AIA is best known for The Vision Show (April 10-12, 2018 in Boston); vision and imaging standards such as GigE Vision®, Camera Link®, Camera Link HS™ and USB3 Vision™; the Automate Show (April 8-11, 2019 in Chicago); the annual A3 Business Forum (January 17-19, 2018 in Orlando); the Certified Vision Professional program, now available online; 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 AIA - Advancing Vision + Imaging, Robotic Industries Association (RIA), and the Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA). AIA, RIA, and MCMA combined represent over 1,000 automation manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups and consulting firms from throughout the world that drive automation forward.