Global 3D Machine Vision Market Size & Growth Trends Analysis Report

Given the need of industries to improve productivity and efficiency, automation has led to the need to automatically manufacture and assemble products. The 3D machine vision systems provide precise measurements, inspections, and sorting capabilities for various tasks during automated processing; thus, companies require more dependable vision systems as a result of their efforts to minimise labour costs and reduce error rates caused by humans. The 3D machine vision systems allow for the precise detection of defects and the monitoring of processes without jeopardizing production quality. Such a requirement is, however, prevalent in the automobile and electronics industries, where any minor defect can lead to grave consequences in terms of safety or performance.

Given the need of industries to improve productivity and efficiency, automation has led to the need to automatically manufacture and assemble products. The 3D machine vision systems provide precise measurements, inspections, and sorting capabilities for various tasks during automated processing; thus, companies require more dependable vision systems as a result of their efforts to minimise labour costs and reduce error rates caused by humans. The 3D machine vision systems allow for the precise detection of defects and the monitoring of processes without jeopardizing production quality. Such a requirement is, however, prevalent in the automobile and electronics industries, where any minor defect can lead to grave consequences in terms of safety or performance.

The progress made in imaging technology, high-resolution cameras, sophisticated sensors & algorithms, and the performance and functionality of 3D machine vision systems have greatly improved over time and facilitate more detailed inspection and scrutiny. The evolution of smart manufacturing in equipment, interconnectivity, and real-time analytics of the data across industries has brought about a turning point in the way industries function. With the advent of Industry 4.0 principles within companies, the adoption of 3D machine vision technology coupled with IoT and AI is extremely important. It will allow the use of predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and production processes to be enhanced, and eventually reduce downtime.

The increasing adoption across various application sites is one of the major factors contributing to the market growth of 3D machine vision. The 3D machine vision systems are increasingly incorporated in verticals besides the conventional, which is manufacturing, but also other verticals such as health care, agriculture, and logistics. For example, in health care, surgical pre-planning and quality assurance in the production of medical devices are examples of 3D machine vision. As such, 3D machine vision solutions are designed to accommodate the diverse requirements of numerous industries, owing to their flexibility and versatility. Furthermore, the need for advanced robots in manufacturing and logistics organisations has forced them to rely more heavily on advanced vision systems, thus increasing operational productivity.

Similarly, the support of government regulations is one of the important drivers for the global 3D machine vision market as they lay down standards that ensure safety, quality, and efficiency, among other considerations. Most nations have devised policies leaning towards the use of new technology such as 3D machine vision systems, which increase production capabilities and creativity, among other benefits. For example, policies of industrialization enhancement growth, such as business automation and smart practices, encourage companies to acquire these technologies and even do so under tax relief or other financial support aids. In addition, the industrial policies put together have environmental sustainability objectives that encourage the industries to be put into operation, as in using the 3D machine vision, which reduces significantly wastage of materials and resources management. The follow-up by quality assurance guarantees such as certification for ISO and CE requirements also encourage the growth of the market as many companies out there have to strictly adhere to the rules. With the adoption of high levels of precision and automation in industries such as automotive, healthcare, and electronics, favourable policies create circumstances that encourage the growth of the 3D machine vision market while enabling different sectors to leverage technology for competitiveness.

Market Restraints

One of the dominant issues for the 3D machine vision systems, specifically for businesses, is a high initial investment that pays out after quite some time. This monetary hindrance often discourages many smaller enterprises from embracing such technologies, thereby limiting the extent of the market. Moreover, going back to the hardware issue, another hurdle remains the comprehensive and sophisticated task of integrating the 3D machine vision into already operating production systems. Companies often encounter the challenge of updating their operating processes and cross-departments to a new technology while having legacy ones. Understanding that such re-education takes time, the combination of both functional and practical training is required. The rapid advancement of technology can also reduce the motivation of companies to invest in certain technologies and systems as they will not be up to date soon after implementation.

Market Opportunities

Major opportunities like increased demand in emerging markets and collaboration with AI drive the growth of the global 3D machine vision market. New opportunities are forming in many developing countries, especially within Asia and Latin America, owing to the speed of industrialization and automation. Therefore, the consumption of advanced technologies in these regions has already started. 3D machine vision systems are being applied in these regions to boost production efficiency, quality control, and competitiveness. Most importantly, machine vision 3D systems are benefitting from the integration of artificial intelligence. AI lets you process the image and, therefore, make complex and timely analyses and decisions. This helps manufacturers to streamline their production processes, eliminate defects, and customise individual products that call for more supply. As more and more companies start appreciating the merits of embracing this new technology, the interaction between AI-powered 3D machine vision systems and AI itself will most likely propel the growth of this market, hence a very attractive proposition for the players involved.

Technological Advancements

The enhancement of sensor technologies, more specifically in advanced cameras and LiDAR systems, has increased the accuracy and the speed of 3D imaging within the industrial sector. These advancements allow producers to take crisp images for improved quality control and automation. In addition, merging 3D machine vision with robotics is changing the landscape of the manufacturing industry. With 3D vision, robots can do delicate and complicated duties such as assembly, sorting, or inspection, and this leads to an increase in productivity and a decrease in the size of the workforce needed. The integration of these technologies enables the creation of responsive and agile manufacturing systems, which are able to match up-to-date production requirements. As progress accelerates in these aspects, it can be anticipated that 3D machine vision systems will become more common in practice and even attract more users to invest in such systems in the future in a span of a few years.

Impact of COVID-19

The issue of interruption in supply chain management became a significant concern owing to lockdowns and restrictions that hindered access to key parts, causing a delay in the production of 3D machine vision systems. Manufacturers encountered difficulties in securing sourcing materials, thereby increasing the lead times for projects and delaying them. Moreover, in most cases, companies were struggling with losses because of the economic recession, which saw lenders reduce their capital outlay. Since most organisations began to focus on their short-term objectives, strategies requiring patient capital such as that for 3D machine vision systems were most, if not all, times shelved or cut down. Similarly, this restrained the growth potential of the market in the course of the pandemic. Moreover, remote working and social distancing made it more difficult to implement new systems, exacerbating installation and integration issues. All these factors, in turn, posed serious challenges to the growth of the 3D machine vision market as development was limited by the prevailing uncertainties.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated automation and was witnessed in all sectors of the economy, and the demand for 3D machine vision systems has increased as most companies appreciated the need to reduce human participation in operations, especially during the lockdown period. Companies were able to acclimatise to the changing environments emerging due to this pandemic. These changes were driven by the need to enhance the health and safety of the workers in accordance with the business environment. As a result, it employed the use of 3D machine vision systems, which provided non-tactile means of inspection and monitoring, thus preventing the spread of infections among workers. The processes would then be completed without having to expose workers since the processes would be completed without any interaction with the employees. In addition to that, emphasis on safety at the workplace has led to changes in the dynamics of various industries as well. Later, more investment was done for these systems, which resulted in innovation and growth in the market as companies geared up for the post-pandemic.

Segmentation

The global 3D machine vision market is segmented into component, product type, application, and end-user. By component, the market is segmented into hardware and software. The hardware segment holds the largest market share in the global 3D machine vision market due to the prevalence of cameras, sensors, illumination systems, and other hardware tools. These hardware components are prerequisites for capturing quality images and enhancing depth perception, which is very important in quality inspection, robotics, and automation, among other factors. The need for better hardware keeps increasing as more industries aim at improving their efficient operations and lessening human labour, therefore underscoring the hardware market growth trend.

The software segment is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The reason primarily comes as a result of enhanced image processing and machine learning techniques used in the reinforcement of machine vision systems for 3D applications. Since the awareness of the essence of data analysis and automation in contemporary enterprises is increasing, there is a market for advanced systems that provide an alternative layer of software. Such software provides features such as real-time processing, high precision, and adaptability to specific needs, which makes them important tools to utilise in order to derive full value from hardware outlays. As a result, software segmentation will experience considerable growth due to the increasing demand for smart and responsive systems in different sectors, such as manufacturing and health care.

By product type, the market is segmented into PC-based and smart camera-based. The PC based segment holds the largest market share in the global 3D machine vision market on account of its superior processing power and versatility. The PC-based systems are designed with powerful processors as well as high-end graphics cards that enable high-performance image acquisition, extensive image processing, and analysis in real time. This is crucial for various processes that need to be carried out at high speed and high precision like manufacturing quality control and machine vision inspection. The advantage of PC based solutions is that they can be used by most of the organisations as there is the possibility of utilising more than one camera and other sensors to cover an entire production line. Moreover, the rise in demand for more sophisticated systems and algorithms is also driving the growth of the market as sectors adopt more automation and smart factories.

The PC-based segment is also expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period. This growth trend can be attributed to the progress made in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), which has a heavy drain on computer resources. This is likely to encourage further development of the PC-based systems in this market since their characteristics are beneficial to the organisations focusing on investments aimed at optimising processes and increasing productivity.

By application, the market is segmented into quality assurance & inspection, positioning & guidance, measurement, and identification. The quality assurance & inspection segment holds the largest market share in the global 3D machine vision market owing to the growing need for automated inspection processes in various sectors. The companies have started utilising 3D machine vision systems to improve product quality, avoid defects, and meet regulatory requirements. These systems enable accurate feedback in the production process and thus allow real-time corrections and less waste. When inspection work is automated, businesses can work more quickly and uniformly, which translates into greater efficiency and productivity.

The identification segment is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period. With industries improving their traceability and inventory management, 3D machine vision systems have been adopted in furtherance of supply chain management systems for product identification and tracking capabilities. These systems are capable of reading bar codes, QR codes, or any other identification means with great accuracy, availing the systems for efficient working with other automated processes. The transformation from intuitive approaches toward more data-driven strategies and the rising requirement for product identification in the logistics and retail areas are the factors enhancing the growth of this segment. This, in turn, indicates that there will be an increase in the identification solutions expenditure, making it a promising and growing segment in the 3D machine vision market.

By end user, the market is bifurcated into automotive, pharmaceuticals & chemicals, electronics & semiconductor, printing & labelling, food & beverage, glass & metal, postal & logistics, and others. The automotive segment holds the largest market share in the global 3D machine vision market owing to more concern towards quality and automation. Within the automotive industry, there is an increased introduction of 3D machine vision systems for activities such as the assembly of vehicles, the inspection of defects, and guiding robots. This improves accuracy and effectiveness in carrying out operations, including welding, painting, and inspection of parts, thus enhancing the quality of the end product and reducing the overall cost of production. With the capability of executing these functions automatically, efficiency is improved and also helps the manufacturers to adhere to strict safety as well as compliance requirements.

The food & beverage segment is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period. It is propelled by the growing demand for mechanization relative to quality control, packaging, and tracking. The 3D machine vision systems are applied to monitor the health of products, verify the processes of package filling, and respect sanitary conditions. As food & beverage quality and safety requirements rise, so do investments in technologies that increase efficiency and cut excess costs. As the same industry is becoming safety cautious while embracing new technologies, the uptake of the 3D machine vision systems in this particular sector is bound to boom, making this the most lucrative region in the market.

Regional Analysis

North America holds the largest market share in the global 3D machine vision market owing to the evolution of both the automation and manufacturing industries. Many of the machine vision system companies and technology innovators are located within this region, along with a culture of research that fosters development. The automotive, aerospace, and electronics industries, among others, utilise 3D machine vision for purposes such as quality assurance, inspection, and process automation, which boosts efficiency and cuts costs. Also, the machine vision market within this region is aided by the presence of large technology hubs and good infrastructural facilities. In addition, growing smart manufacturing projects, as well as the machine vision system incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning, are likely to accelerate the growth of the market. The United States drives the growth of the global 3D machine vision market.

Europehas a significant market share of the global 3D machine vision market. Europe stands out in the 3D machine vision market due to its developed industrial infrastructure and commitment to quality manufacturing. The region comprises a large cross-section of industries such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, etc., which are all using 3D machine vision for inspection, sorting, and quality assurance. Further, the encouragement of innovation in the European Union guarantees the market’s attractiveness as smart technologies have to be embraced. This is also due to the increasing prevalence of partnerships between the technology providers and end-users, which encourages the creation of machine vision systems that are suitable for different sectors. Countries such as Germany, France, and Italy drive the growth of the global 3D machine vision market.

Asia-Pacific is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period of the global 3D machine vision market. This quick growth is caused mainly by the high industrialization and the seeking for more automation in the sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. Noticeable countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea are the early adopters of advanced manufacturing technologies, especially in the absence of manufacturing activities. The development of 3D machine vision systems is further accelerated by the increasing Industry 4.0 embrace as well as the government policies encouraging the incorporation of automation into business processes. In addition, the expanding numbers of the manufacturing plants, coupled with the rise of quality control activities in the region, are projected to positively impact the growth of the market in the region.

Within the region of Latin America, the market for 3D machine vision systems is relatively new but displays significant potential for development. The region is slowly embracing the significance of automation and quality assessment tools to manufacture goods, especially in industries like food and beverage, automobile, and consumer products. In the past, economic challenges and lack of infrastructure have slowed down quick acceptance; however, with more foreign investments and more people understanding the need to be efficient operationally, it is possible to penetrate the market. Most organisations are turning towards enhancing output at reduced costs, and therefore, the use of machine vision solutions will increase. Countries such as Brazil drive the growth of the global 3D machine vision market.

The Middle East and Africa have a low market share of the global 3D machine vision market. Nevertheless, exciting opportunities for growth do exist, considering the region's increased industrialization and diversification efforts away from oil dependency. The manufacturing, logistics, and mining industry sectors are only beginning to explore automation and machine vision technologies. Government initiatives toward achieving economic diversification and technological advancement will see an upswing in the demand for 3D machine vision systems in the future. Although infrastructural hurdles continue to be a concern, the increasing focus on the use of automation is creating a positive environment that may keep driving the market. Countries such as South Africa and the United Arab Emirates drive the growth of the global 3D machine vision market.

Competitive Analysis

The key players in the global 3D machine vision market are Cognex Corporation, Basler AG, Keyence Corporation, OMRON Corporation, National Instruments, ISRA Vision AG, TKH Group, Stemmer Imaging, MVTec Software GmbH, and Tordivel AS, among others.

In August 2024, Luxolis, a 3D machine vision startup, announced that they are planning to expand their operations and open an R&D center in Chuncheon, South Korea. This center would help the company with advanced R&D in AI-driven 3D vision and industrial automation technologies.

In August 2024, LMI Technologies announced that they have acquired Liberty Robotics - a provider of 3D machine vision solutions for robotic guidance in sectors like automotive, material handling/packaging, and logistics.

In July 2024, Aetina - provider of edge AI solutions- and Soloman - an AI and 3D vision company announced their partnership to accelerate AI and 3D vision across manufacturing, semiconductor, retail, and other sectors.

In April 2024, Cognex launched the world's first AI-based 3D vision system - InSight L383D Vision System. This system uses AI, 2D, and 3D vision technologies, which help in solving a range of inspection and measurement applications.

For the Table of Contents (TOC) of the entire report, Contact Us. We will provide you with the full TOC for the same.

The global 3D machine vision market is segmented as follows:

By Components (Revenue: USD Billion, 2019 – 2031)
●    Hardware
●    Software

By Product Type (Revenue: USD Billion, 2019 – 2031)
●    PC-Based
●    Smart Camera Based

By Application (Revenue: USD Billion, 2019 – 2031)
●    Quality Assurance & Inspection
●     Positioning & Guidance
●    Measurement
●    Identification

By End User (Revenue: USD Billion, 2019 – 2031)
●    Automotive
●    Pharmaceuticals & Chemicals
●    Electronics & Semiconductor
●    Printing & Labelling
●    Food & Beverage
●    Glass & Metal
●    Postal & Logistics
●    Others

By Region (Revenue: USD Billion, 2019 – 2031)

● North America
o U.S.
o Canada
o Mexico

● Europe
o U.K.
o France
o Germany
o Italy
o Spain
o Rest of Europe

● Asia Pacific
o China
o Japan
o India
o South Korea
o South East Asia
o Rest of Asia Pacific

● Latin America
o Brazil
o Argentina
o Rest of Latin America

● Middle East & Africa
o GCC Countries
o South Africa
o Rest of Middle East & Africa