In recent times, the automotive industry has been experiencing a notable shortage of a specific component that has become crucial to the advancement of vehicle technologies: the 8-megapixel (8M) automotive cameraThis shortfall has sparked significant conversations among industry insiders, particularly in light of emerging technologies such as intelligent driving systems.
A prime example of this is BYD's introduction of its "Tianyan" intelligent driving system, which pivotally relies on the use of 8M CMOS Image Sensors (CIS). Due to the sudden influx of demand triggered by this innovation, the supply chain has not been able to keep pace, escalating an already tight market into a full-blown scarcity.
Industry experts suggest that while local Chinese suppliers are racing to enhance their production capabilities, only a handful of global players are able to meet the stringent automotive certification standards necessary for these componentsNotably, OmniVision Technologies is one of the few companies positioned to comply with these rigorous requirements, giving them an edge in securing contracts in this competitive market.
Additionally, other significant Chinese firms, such as Sitec and Geke, are making strides in this fieldSitec has commenced mass production focused on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) designed to utilize CIS within the range of 1M to 8M pixelsMeanwhile, Geke, which is targeting the aftermarket, submitted samples to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) six months ago.
The market for automotive CIS isn't only experiencing challenges from domestic suppliersGiant corporations like Sony and ON Semiconductor dominate the global supply of automotive CIS, enjoying substantial market penetration in China's automotive sector
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As the demand exceeds supply, these established companies are poised to benefit from the situation.
Notably, while there is an abundance of automotive-grade CIS available from Chinese manufacturers, compliance with standards, particularly for the 8M category, is a sticking pointOmniVision stands out with its AEC-Q100 Grade 2 certification, validating the quality and reliability of its productsConversely, while Sony and ON Semiconductor also offer automotive-grade sensors, they come with a price that is slightly higher, potentially limiting their appeal in the cost-sensitive market.
On the production front, Sony has taken significant steps to ramp up the output of automotive-grade CIS using 90nm technology and is actively pursuing outsourcing opportunities to meet the demand surge.
The rapid proliferation of driver assistance technologies and the increasing quantity of camera lens usage have been identified as the catalysts driving the supply shortage of automotive CIS in ChinaAs the automotive industry increasingly incorporates various sensors to enhance safety and driving capabilities, the need for high-quality CIS has skyrocketed.
Cameras serve as pivotal elements within all sensor systemsFor instance, companies like Tesla and many Chinese manufacturers have begun implementing comprehensive visual systems, which merge cameras with millimeter-wave radars and LiDAR componentsThis trend has significantly escalated demand for foundational components such as CIS.
Modern vehicles typically come equipped with approximately seven visual sensors, with the number of radars varying based on the design of the modelThis current assembly configuration is regarded as market standard among numerous brands, including BYD, NIO, Li Auto, XPeng Motors, Geely, IM Motors, Xiaomi, Aiways, and Zeekr, all of which are employing 8M ADAS cameras.
BYD has publicly stated that its "Tianyan" intelligent driving system incorporates 8M CIS, with its basic models equipped with three of these units
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As the technology progresses, it is anticipated that the application of these sensors will increase in higher-end variants of their lineup.
Industry professionals confirm that the recent shortage of 8M CIS has posed significant challenges for the supply chain of BYD's Tianyan seriesAs more automotive manufacturers incorporate similar technologies, this issue may not be resolved quickly, as the demand for sophisticated driving assistance systems continues to escalate.
Forecasting into the future, the demand for automotive CIS is projected to experience remarkable growth, particularly driven by the increasing push towards autonomous driving technologiesAccording to recent studies by DIGITIMES Research, automotive CMOS Image Sensors have been recognized for their low power consumption and high processing speeds, establishing them as the preferred choice in the automotive sector.
As technological advancements unfold, the enhancements in high-resolution automotive CIS with respect to image quality and long-distance recognition capabilities are set to keep pace with the industry's demandsIntegrating high dynamic range (HDR) and LED flicker mitigation (LFM) technologies has expanded the applicability of these sensors in areas such as autonomous driving and advanced driver assistance systems.
Yearly, the demand for automotive CIS continues to ascendResearch firm Yole estimates that global automotive CIS revenue will surge from $2.3 billion in 2023 to an anticipated $3.2 billion by 2029, marking a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.7%.
The swift penetration of autonomous driving and ADAS technologies, in combination with new regulations advocating for automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems, is propelling rapid revenue growth in the global automotive CIS market.
The role of automotive CIS in autonomous driving technology cannot be overstated
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They provide high-resolution image data that enhances vehicles' abilities to perceive and understand their surrounding environmentsIt is anticipated that in fully autonomous vehicles (Level 5), over twelve cameras could be installed to facilitate this functionality.
As consumer safety expectations rise, the number of cameras installed in each vehicle is increasing annually, directly influencing and stimulating the demand for CIS.
According to predictions from DIGITIMES Research, by 2024, the average number of cameras per vehicle is expected to reach nine, increasing further to thirteen by 2027.
Furthermore, various countries are beginning to establish regulations for AEB systems, as these have been proven to effectively reduce the risk of traffic accidents by detecting potential collisions and applying brakes automatically, thereby safeguarding the safety of drivers, passengers, and other road users.
In summary, within the development trajectory of automotive CIS technologies, key focuses include LFM, HDR, higher resolutions, long-distance recognition, and multi-functional camerasThese technological advancements are essential in ensuring vehicles can navigate stable performance in diverse and dynamic environments.
On the LFM front, this technology primarily addresses the flickering issues encountered when cameras are capturing images of LED light sources—such as traffic signals, street signs, and vehicle taillights—ensuring stability and consistency in image recognition.
HDR technology plays a crucial role in capturing rich image details in high-contrast scenes, enhancing the performance of automotive CIS markedly.
Industry insiders are actively developing 8-megapixel automotive CIS, with future objectives targeting increased resolutions of 12-megapixels and beyond.
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