Microbolometer Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 477.70 Million |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 679.44 Million |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 7.30% |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | North America |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Microbolometer Market Analysis
The Microbolometer Market size is estimated at USD 477.70 million in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 679.44 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
- Advancements in infrared (IR) imaging technology and surging demand for thermal imaging across diverse industries are propelling the microbolometer market's robust growth. Microbolometers, thermal sensors integral to infrared cameras, detect IR radiation and translate it into temperature readings.
- Consumer electronics, notably smartphones, cameras, and wearables, are increasingly embracing thermal imaging. Industry leaders, including FLIR Systems and Seek Thermal, are embedding microbolometer-based sensors into their devices, enabling features such as temperature measurement, night vision, and heat detection. This integration is catalyzing the widespread adoption of thermal imaging in everyday products.
- Thermal imaging's role in security and surveillance is broadening, finding applications in public safety, military operations, and monitoring critical infrastructure. Microbolometers, adept at detecting heat signatures even in dim lighting, are pivotal for border surveillance, crowd control, and intruder detection.
- Recent strides in microbolometer resolution and sensitivity are noteworthy. The emergence of high-resolution microbolometers, boasting smaller pixels and enhanced thermal sensitivity, has significantly uplifted thermal camera image quality. This leap in capability is fueling demand in sectors like medical imaging, industrial inspection, and security. Furthermore, the integration of AI and machine learning in many microbolometer-based systems is revolutionizing image processing, pattern recognition, and anomaly detection, bolstering their efficacy in industrial monitoring and medical diagnostics.
- Microbolometers are sophisticated devices that require specialized and often expensive manufacturing techniques, resulting in thermal cameras that are costlier than visible-light cameras. This cost difference restricts the widespread use of thermal imaging in price-sensitive sectors and regions. Although manufacturing advancements have gradually lowered microbolometer prices, they still pose a significant financial challenge for certain industries, particularly small businesses and emerging markets.
Microbolometer Market Trends
Automotive is Expected to Witness Remarkable Growth
- The automotive sector is anticipated to experience substantial growth in the microbolometer market, driven by the rising demand for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous vehicles, and improved safety features.
- ADAS technologies, such as lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and night vision, are increasingly becoming standard in modern vehicles. These systems rely on thermal imaging cameras powered by microbolometers, which enhance a vehicle’s ability to detect pedestrians, animals, and other obstacles in low-visibility conditions or at night. The growing adoption of ADAS is boosting the demand for microbolometer-based thermal sensors.
- The shift toward autonomous vehicles (AVs) represents a major trend in the automotive industry. AVs require advanced sensing technologies to ensure safe navigation in various environmental conditions. Microbolometer-driven thermal imaging plays a critical role in autonomous driving systems by providing enhanced visibility in challenging conditions such as fog, rain, or nighttime driving. These sensors improve AVs' ability to detect objects in their path, enabling features like pedestrian detection, collision avoidance, and driver monitoring, which are essential for safe autonomous operation.
- Stricter government regulations and evolving safety standards are accelerating the adoption of advanced safety features in vehicles. For example, many countries are implementing stricter vehicle safety regulations, focusing on improving driver visibility and collision prevention. Thermal cameras powered by microbolometers help automakers meet these regulatory requirements.
- Consumers are increasingly prioritizing safety features when choosing vehicles. With growing awareness of road safety, more buyers are seeking cars equipped with features like night vision, pedestrian detection, and animal detection, all of which depend on microbolometer-based thermal imaging. Automakers are addressing this demand by offering advanced safety systems as standard or optional features, driving the growth of the microbolometer market in the automotive sector.
Asia Pacific is Expected to Witness a High Market Growth Rate
- Key factors driving technological adoption, industrial growth, and demand for advanced systems across various sectors are propelling the microbolometer market in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea have seen significant growth in their automotive sectors. As these nations increasingly adopt Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which utilize thermal imaging for night vision and pedestrian detection, the demand for microbolometer-based thermal sensors is set to surge.
- Several APAC nations are making substantial investments in the realm of autonomous vehicles (AVs). Microbolometer-powered thermal cameras are pivotal for AVs, offering functionalities like night vision, pedestrian detection, and collision avoidance. With the continuous advancement of these technologies, the demand for microbolometers in the region is poised to escalate.
- In APAC, a surge in construction projects and industrial activities is amplifying the demand for thermal imaging. These technologies are crucial for predictive maintenance, non-destructive testing (NDT), and equipment monitoring. Microbolometers play a vital role in detecting heat signatures, averting equipment failures, and optimizing machinery efficiency.
- Countries such as India, China, Japan, and South Korea are channeling significant investments into their defense sectors, with a keen focus on advanced military technologies. Microbolometer-driven thermal imaging systems are indispensable for applications like surveillance, night vision, and border patrol. Given the heightened emphasis on national security, especially in areas with territorial disputes like the South China Sea, there's an anticipated uptick in the adoption of these systems for military operations, drones, tactical vehicles, and personnel protection.
Microbolometer Industry Overview
The microbolometer market is highly fragmented, with global and local conglomerates and specialized players operating across various segments. While several large multinational companies dominate specific high-value segments, numerous regional and niche players contribute to the overall competition, making the market highly diverse. This fragmentation is driven by the demand for microbolometers across a wide range of end-user verticals, allowing both large and small companies to coexist and thrive in the market.
Leading companies in the microbolometer market include Teledyne Technologies Inc., Lynred, BAE Systems, Fraunhofer IMS, Global Sensor Technology, IRay Technology Co., Ltd., and Others. These companies have established strong brand recognition and extensive global operations, enabling them to command significant market share. Their strengths lie in innovation, broad product portfolios, and strong distribution networks. These leaders often engage in strategic acquisitions and partnerships to maintain their competitive edge and expand their market reach.
Companies are concentrating on improving the sensitivity, resolution, and thermal stability of microbolometers to enhance their performance in thermal imaging applications. To address the rising demand for high-performance thermal cameras, advancements in sensor technology are being made, including the development of smaller pixel sizes, higher-resolution microbolometers, and cost-efficient manufacturing methods. Additionally, leading players are integrating microbolometers with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, sensor fusion, and cloud connectivity.
Microbolometer Market Leaders
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Lynred
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Teledyne Technologies Inc.
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BAE Systems
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Fraunhofer IMS
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IRay Technology Co., Ltd.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Microbolometer Market News
- October 2024: BAE Systems proudly announces the successful launch of NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft, which took off from Kennedy Space Flight Center in Florida. In this mission, BAE Systems not only supplied the engineering model but also provided flight power and control electronics for the E-THEMIS instrument. Furthermore, the company played a pivotal role in developing and integrating the radiation-hardened microbolometer focal plane assembly, overseeing the entire system's radiation hardening and mitigation. The ASU team, responsible for designing and constructing the E-THEMIS instrument, also spearheaded its testing and calibration. Looking ahead, the ASU team is set to lead the E-THEMIS mission operations and the processing of its scientific data.
- November 2024: ULIS unveiled the Atto320TM, marking the debut of its new family of 12-micron, stand-alone image sensors. The 12-micron pixel pitch is rapidly becoming the industry benchmark for thermal image sensors, especially in applications prioritizing compactness and cost-effectiveness. Key sectors poised to benefit include outdoor leisure and observation, thermography, and surveillance. The Atto320, a fully digital 320×240 thermal image sensor (microbolometer), leverages ULIS' proprietary 12-micron technology, underscoring the company's commitment to sensor miniaturization.
Microbolometer Industry Segmentation
Microbolometers, a specific kind of infrared sensor, play a pivotal role in thermal imaging cameras. They detect infrared radiation, or heat, and translate it into electronic signals. Notably, microbolometers are integral to uncooled infrared detectors, allowing them to operate without the need for extreme cooling, a requirement for certain other infrared detector types.
The study tracks the revenue accrued through the sale of microbolometers by various players across the globe. it also tracks the key market parameters, underlying growth influencers, and major vendors operating in the industry, which supports the market estimations and growth rates over the forecast period. The study further analyses the overall impact of COVID-19 aftereffects and other macroeconomic factors on the market. The report’s scope encompasses market sizing and forecasts for the various market segments.
The microbolometer market is segmented by type (vanadium oxide, amorphous silicon, and others), application (military, aerospace and defense, automotive, medical, others), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America). The market sizes and forecasts regarding value (USD) for all the above segments are provided.
| By Type | Vanadium Oxide |
| Amorphous Silicon | |
| Others | |
| By Application | Military, Aerospace And Defense |
| Automotive | |
| Medical | |
| Others | |
| By Geography*** | North America |
| Europe | |
| Asia | |
| Australia and New Zealand | |
| Middle East and Africa | |
| Latin America |
Microbolometer Market Research FAQs
How big is the Microbolometer Market?
The Microbolometer Market size is expected to reach USD 477.70 million in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 7.30% to reach USD 679.44 million by 2030.
What is the current Microbolometer Market size?
In 2025, the Microbolometer Market size is expected to reach USD 477.70 million.
Who are the key players in Microbolometer Market?
Lynred, Teledyne Technologies Inc., BAE Systems, Fraunhofer IMS and IRay Technology Co., Ltd. are the major companies operating in the Microbolometer Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Microbolometer Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
Which region has the biggest share in Microbolometer Market?
In 2025, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Microbolometer Market.
What years does this Microbolometer Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Microbolometer Market size was estimated at USD 442.83 million. The report covers the Microbolometer Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Microbolometer Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Microbolometer Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Microbolometer market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Microbolometer analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
