Sensor Exhibition Area | Sensor Industry Trends: Multimodal Integration, Higher Precision, Enhanced Functionality, and Lower Power Consumption

By 2025, mature sensor technologies—including semiconductor, optical, and traditional sensors (electromechanical, electrochemical)—will lead the global sensor market. Commercialized sensor technologies will capture shares across most vertical markets, including automotive, aerospace, industrial, consumer electronics, healthcare, and environmental sectors.

Although mature sensor technologies remain dominant, revenue growth in commoditized markets has plateaued, prompting manufacturers to increasingly focus on emerging technologies and applications for new growth opportunities. Key trends driving innovation today include future mobility (autonomous driving, electrification, and driver monitoring), the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its integration with artificial intelligence (AI), the adoption of wearable technology, and the commercialization of 6G.

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Overall Market Size

The global sensor market is experiencing sustained growth. The current scope of the sensor industry lacks a unified definition, which results in varying market data standards across different organizations. In recent years, driven by the growing demand for intelligence and digitalization in new energy vehicles, industrial automation, healthcare, environmental protection, and consumer sectors, the global sensor market has maintained steady growth. According to Precedence Research, the global sensor market was valued at approximately USD 226.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach around USD 551.03 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%.

China's sensor market continues to expand. According to data from CCID Consulting, China's sensor market reached RMB 364.47 billion in 2023, up 14.9% year-on-year (YoY). It is projected to reach RMB 554.72 billion by 2026, with a three-year CAGR of 15.0%.

Technology Development Trends and Innovative Breakthroughs

Sensor technology is undergoing unprecedented transformation and innovation, driving the industry towards higher precision, enhanced functionality, and lower power consumption. In 2025, the sensor industry is characterized by a trend of multimodal integration. Traditional physical sensors are innovatively combined with chemical and biological sensing technologies, while nano materials and flexible electronic technology drive devices toward miniaturization and lower power consumption. This technological integration is giving rise to a new generation of intelligent sensors, providing more powerful sensing capabilities for various industry applications.

The Micro Electromechanical System (MEMS) technology has become the core driver of sensor miniaturization and integration. The penetration rate of MEMS processes in industrial sensors rose from 35% in 2018 to 58% in 2024 and is projected to exceed 65% by 2025. Advances in MEMS technology have significantly reduced sensor size while greatly improving performance and continuously lowering costs. For example, in the laser radar market, Chinese manufacturers have greatly reduced product prices through MEMS technology, capturing over 97% of the market share and promoting its application in vehicles priced around RMB 100,000.

Material innovations are reshaping the industry landscape. The commercial use of aluminum nitride and carbon nanotube materials in pressure sensors has reduced manufacturing costs by 30%, while the application of new materials like graphene and carborundum has significantly enhanced sensor sensitivity and durability. China ranks among the top three globally in patents for graphene gas sensors and fiber optic strain sensors, demonstrating strong innovation capabilities in materials. Meanwhile, the development of flexible electronic technology has driven demand for wearables and medical implantable sensors, boosting the flexible sensor market size by 25% YoY.

Breakthroughs have been made in the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies. Quantum sensing technology has achieved a commercial breakthrough in the field of precision measurement, with some laboratory results transformed into industrial-grade products. Europe maintains a leading position in quantum sensing, while China has increased its self-sufficiency rate in optical sensor chips from 18% in 2020 to 57% in 2025. Significant progress has also been made in microfluidic chips and biosensor technologies. The global market for glucose monitoring sensors has surpassed USD 18 billion, with continuous monitoring biosensors becoming a new favorite in healthcare.

Intelligence and integration have become the mainstream trends in sensor product evolution. Sensors are no longer just data collection devices but intelligent terminals equipped with data processing and analysis capabilities. Products like Bosch's BMA580 have integrated bone conduction voice recognition technology, exemplifying the convergence of sensing and computation. Environmental sensors combined with AI algorithms enable real-time data analysis, while biosensors have penetrated over 40% of wearables. Multi-sensor fusion solutions—like automotive-grade 9-in-1 environmental sensing modules and multi-parameter health management systems for industrial equipment—are becoming increasingly common.

Wireless sensing network technology is driving the implementation of smart city projects, with China holding a first-mover advantage in 5G-plus-sensor integrated applications. Technological advances such as wireless transmission and low-power consumption design enable sensor nodes to operate independently for extended periods, significantly expanding the boundaries of IoT applications. The ISO/IEC joint standards for intelligent sensor interfaces have been mandatory since Q2 2025, while new EU regulations require all industrial sensors to incorporate built-in data encryption modules. China-led wireless sensor network communication standards have achieved a 45% penetration rate among the countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. These standardization efforts will further promote healthy industry development.

Continuous innovation in sensor technology has not only enhanced product performance but also significantly reduced costs, enabling advanced sensing technologies to be applied across a wider range of fields. The unit price of laser radar has dropped to around USD 200, which paves the way for the widespread adoption of Level 4 autonomous driving. With ongoing improvements in material systems, manufacturing processes, and system design, sensor technology will continue to advance toward higher performance, lower cost, and broader applications.

*Some text sourced from the Intelligence Research Group and BRT

electronica China 2026 – Sensor Exhibition Area

The electronica China will be held from July 1 to 3, 2026, at halls N1–N5 and W1–W5 of the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). A dedicated sensor area will be set up on site, bringing together top exhibitors. The area will serve as a platform for direct engagement between exhibitors and visitors while showcasing technological applications and innovative design concepts within the sensor industry. It is dedicated to fostering ongoing upgrades in sensor products and technologies.