Expansion of the Gesture Sensor Industry

Growth of the Gesture Sensor Market

The integration of gesture functionalities into user interfaces of devices such as smartphones and tablets has led to a significant expansion in the gesture sensor market. As these technologies evolve, the demand for sensors that track hand movements near touch screens has surged.

Recent reports indicate that the revenue generated from proximity gesture sensors is projected to increase dramatically, rising from a mere $42,000 in 2012 to an estimated $123 million in 2013. Initially, gesture sensor applications found their footing in wireless devices before expanding into consumer electronics and automotive sectors. Forecasts suggest that this market will experience substantial growth over the next five years, with an expected growth rate of 68% from 2014 to 2015, ultimately reaching revenues of approximately $545 million by 2017.

Currently, two primary types of gesture solutions are available for mobile devices: capacitive and infrared (IR) proximity sensors. Devices equipped with gesture capabilities utilize dedicated proximity sensors to detect hand movements in various directions—up, down, left, and right—across two or three-dimensional spaces. While traditional touch screen interactions necessitate direct contact with a finger or stylus, capacitive gesture technology allows users to engage with their devices without needing to touch the screen directly, as long as they are in close proximity.

The introduction of gesture capabilities in smartphones was notably marked by Samsung's Galaxy S4, which was the first to incorporate such technology. Analysts predict that as suppliers enhance their gesture solution offerings, other smartphone manufacturers will likely adopt similar features. However, it is anticipated that gesture sensors will remain exclusive to mid-range and high-end mobile phones for the foreseeable future due to cost and design constraints.

In contrast to mobile phones, personal computers and media tablets are expected to be the fastest-growing sectors for gesture sensors. From 2014 to 2017, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for revenue in this category is projected to be as high as 76%. Tablets, unlike smartphones, can accommodate multiple gesture sensors on their screens, enhancing their interactive capabilities.

Overall, mobile phones and tablets are the primary applications for gesture sensors, with wireless communication being the leading area for gesture functionality. Between 2013 and 2017, the annual growth rate for gesture sensor revenue in wireless devices is anticipated to reach 44%.

Beyond mobile and tablet applications, gesture sensors are also making inroads in personal computers and laptops. Similar to media tablets, PC tablets can utilize multiple gesture components, particularly as operating systems like Microsoft Windows 8 are designed to facilitate touch interactions effectively.

The automotive industry is beginning to explore gesture interfaces as well. Unlike consumer electronics, automotive applications may incorporate multiple simple photoelectric sensors into a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Proximity and infrared gesture solutions can be combined with capacitive touch sensors on displays to enhance functionality, such as detecting hand movements near large displays on car dashboards.

Some automotive manufacturers have already implemented gesture solutions in their products. For instance, Volkswagen's Golf VII has adopted integrated circuits from Elmos Semiconductor, and General Motors’ Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system also utilizes gesture technology.

As the market evolves, sensor manufacturers are striving to develop more sophisticated infrared proximity gesture solutions, including the addition of three-dimensional gesture capabilities that would allow for motion detection along the z-axis.

Looking ahead, camera-based gesture recognition is expected to penetrate the mobile phone and tablet markets. This technology is primarily utilized in high-precision applications, as exemplified by Microsoft's Kinect system. As these advancements continue, the gesture sensor market is poised for significant growth and innovation in the coming years.