Machine vision market in North America achieves record 15% growth in 2014

Sales ofmachine vision components and systems in North America grew 15% to $2.3 billion 2014, a number that represents the highest annual total since the AIA began tracking quarterly statistics in 2009.

One particular product that sold well in 2014 wassmart cameras, which falls under the category of machine vision systems. Sales of smart cameras grew by 28% to $301 million, while bespoke machine vision systems increased 14% to $1.7 billion.

Machine vision components also had a strong year with 13% growth to $305 million. Within this categories,software (19% to $16 million), cameras (17% to $165 million), lighting (16% to $51 million), and optics (14% $38 million), all saw positive growth.

"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 North American marchine vision market in 2014 reached these heights primarily as a result of a strong manufacturing sector, and an overall increase in the demand for automation, Shikany told Vision Systems Design.

"Many small and medium sized companies, in particular, are beginning to realize the benefits of machine vision and related automation technologies. The North American robotics industry, for example, also had a record year in 2014."

AIA President Jeff Burnstein also commented on the record growth. "The strength of the machine vision industry will be on full display atAutomate 2015, March 23-26 in Chicago," he said. "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."

Looking forward to what the machine vision market in 2015 and beyond will have to offer, Shikany was once again optimistic.

"Despite a start to the year that was slower than expected, the outlook remains positive for North America’s manufacturing sector," he said. "As a result, AIA is expecting another growth year for the machine vision market in North America in 2015."

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