Machine vision market off to record start in 2015

North American sales of machine vision systems and components grew 22% in the first quarter of 2015, the market's highest quarter in history, according to trade group AIA. 

When totaling machine vision sales, sales of machine vision systems and components are both included. The machine vision systems category saw a year over year increase of 24%. Machine vision systems include smart cameras and application specific machine vision (ASMV) systems. In the first quarter, smart cameras expanded by 23%, while ASMV systems increased 24%.

Similarly, machine vision components had a strong quarter with 11% growth over the first quarter of 2014. The leading product categories within machine vision components in terms of growth were lighting (28%), cameras (11%) and software (eight percent).

“Industry experts remain bullish on machine vision components for the next two quarters,” said Alex Shikany, AIA’s Director of Market Analysis. “Less so for machine vision systems however, where 55% of survey respondents believe the category will be flat, 25% expect an increase and 20% expect a decline.”

Jeff Burnstein, president of AIA said they will focus more attention this fall on reaching companies that can benefit from vision and imaging technologies. He cited two new AIA events in particular, the first Canadian Machine Vision Conference in Ottawa,October 5-7, and the Vision in Life Sciences Conference in San Diego, November 17-19. “These are great events for learning about the technology, meeting the key players, and determining how to successfully apply vision and imaging at your company.”