Industrial Endoscope Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast Segmented By Industry Vertical (Energy & Power, Automotive & Transportation, Manufacturing, Aerospace & Defense, Construction & Infrastructure, and Others), By Product (Flexible, Rigid, Disposable), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 401.87 Million
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.94%
Fastest Growing Segment	Rigid
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 671.75 Million

Market Overview

The Global Industrial Endoscope Market will grow from USD 401.87 Million in 2025 to USD 671.75 Million by 2031 at a 8.94% CAGR. Industrial endoscopes are specialized nondestructive testing instruments designed to visualize the internal components of machinery and complex infrastructure without the need for disassembly. The primary driver supporting market growth is the increasing implementation of predictive maintenance strategies across the aerospace and automotive sectors to minimize costly operational downtime. Furthermore, stringent government safety regulations regarding the inspection of aging power generation and manufacturing assets continue to necessitate the widespread deployment of these verification tools to ensure structural integrity.

The expansion of this market is significantly impeded by a critical shortage of experienced personnel required to operate these devices and interpret results efficiently. High turnover rates among skilled technicians create a knowledge gap that restricts the capacity of service providers to meet growing inspection demands. According to the American Society for Nondestructive Testing, in 2025, data revealed that over 50 percent of technicians leave their positions within the first 24 months of employment. This workforce instability presents a formidable challenge to the sustained scalability of the industrial endoscope sector.

Key Market Drivers

The Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced 3D Imaging Technologies is fundamentally reshaping the capabilities of remote visual inspection equipment by transitioning devices from passive viewing tools to active analytical instruments. Manufacturers are increasingly embedding machine learning algorithms directly into borescope operating systems to automate defect recognition, thereby reducing the likelihood of human error during critical assessments of turbine blades and engine components. This technological leap facilitates precise 3D phase measurement, allowing inspectors to accurately calculate the depth and size of surface irregularities without removing the equipment from service. For instance, according to Baker Hughes, October 2024, in the 'Waygate Technologies, GE Aerospace to Deliver new AI-assisted Commercial Jet Engine Borescope Inspection Solution' press release, the company introduced a new automated system designed to significantly enhance defect detection rates and consistency in commercial aviation engine maintenance.

The Expansion of Automotive and Aerospace Manufacturing Activities acts as a parallel force propelling the demand for sophisticated non-destructive testing tools. As manufacturers ramp up production to meet post-pandemic travel recovery, the necessity for rigorous quality control in assembly lines has intensified to ensure safety compliance before delivery. According to the International Air Transport Association, in late 2024, the global commercial aircraft order backlog reached a historic high of more than 17,000 units, necessitating a sustained increase in component verification throughput. This surge in industrial activity directly correlates with financial gains for key market players; according to Baker Hughes, in January 2025, revenue for its Industrial and Energy Technology segment, which houses its inspection business, increased by approximately 20 percent year-over-year to $12.2 billion.

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Key Market Challenges

The critical shortage of experienced personnel presents a formidable barrier to the expansion of the industrial endoscope market. These complex inspection tools require operators with specialized training to accurately navigate intricate machinery and correctly interpret visual data. As industries such as aerospace and power generation tighten safety regulations, the demand for verified inspections increases, yet the scarcity of qualified technicians creates a significant bottleneck. Service providers and internal maintenance teams struggle to scale their operations to meet this rising demand, which directly limits the procurement and deployment of new endoscopic equipment.

This widening gap between the availability of advanced hardware and the workforce capable of utilizing it significantly delays essential maintenance schedules. The inability to fill these technical roles forces companies to defer inspections or rely on less experienced staff, which increases the risk of oversight and liability. This labor crisis is substantiated by broader industrial trends. According to the Manufacturing Institute, in 2024, a study highlighted that nearly 1.9 million manufacturing positions could remain unfilled by 2033 due to the widening skills gap. This persistent deficit in the skilled technical labor pool directly restricts the addressable market for industrial endoscope manufacturers.

Key Market Trends

The Convergence with Robotic Crawlers and Drone Platforms is enabling inspection workflows to bypass manual entry limitations, granting safe access to hazardous or confined environments. This trend addresses the need for repeatable assessments of complex infrastructure without exposing technicians to physical risks. By integrating non-destructive testing sensors onto mobile robotic units, operators can drastically reduce inspection cycle times while ensuring consistent data capture. For instance, according to Baker Hughes, July 2025, in the 'Waygate Technologies Introduces Innovative Robotic Inspection Solution' press release, the company's new automated robotic system for rail maintenance successfully reduced the inspection cycle time to just six minutes per wheelset, significantly optimizing asset utilization.

The Implementation of Cloud-Based Data Management and Connectivity is transforming the market as manufacturers shift from standalone hardware to integrated digital ecosystems. This transition allows inspection data to be instantly uploaded and shared across global engineering teams, facilitating remote collaboration and streamlining compliance reporting. The industry's strategic pivot toward these software-centric capabilities is driving substantial investment in digital intelligence platforms. According to Wabtec Corporation, January 2025, in the 'Wabtec to Acquire Evident's Inspection Technologies Division' press release, the acquired division demonstrated a recurring revenue stream of approximately 68 percent, highlighting the sector's decisive move toward subscription-based digital services.

Segmental Insights

The Rigid segment is currently emerging as the fastest-growing category within the Global Industrial Endoscope Market, driven by its indispensable role in high-precision manufacturing inspections. This accelerated expansion is primarily attributed to the superior optical fidelity and exceptional structural durability of rigid borescopes, which provide unmatched reliability in harsh environments involving extreme temperatures or chemical exposure. Industries such as automotive and aerospace are increasingly prioritizing these instruments to identify microscopic defects in castings and machined components where direct line-of-sight is feasible. Furthermore, the extended operational lifespan and low maintenance requirements of rigid devices offer a cost-effective solution for rigorous quality control protocols.

Regional Insights

North America holds the leading position in the Global Industrial Endoscope Market, driven by a mature industrial base and significant investments in the aerospace, automotive, and power generation sectors. This dominance is reinforced by stringent safety protocols and maintenance standards mandated by regulatory bodies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which requires rigorous inspection of aircraft components to ensure operational safety. Additionally, the region’s emphasis on predictive maintenance to extend the lifespan of aging infrastructure in oil and gas facilities further accelerates the adoption of remote visual inspection solutions.

Recent Developments

• In July 2025, Wabtec Corporation officially finalized the acquisition of the Inspection Technologies division from Evident, a former subsidiary of a major Japanese optical technology manufacturer. This strategic transaction, valued at approximately $1.78 billion, transferred ownership of a leading portfolio in non-destructive testing (NDT) and remote visual inspection (RVI) solutions, including industrial videoscopes, to Wabtec’s Digital Intelligence segment. The acquisition was designed to accelerate the company's growth in the industrial market by integrating advanced inspection hardware and software that ensure the safety and reliability of mission-critical infrastructure in sectors such as aviation, energy, and mining.
• In February 2024, Waygate Technologies introduced the Everest Mentor Visual iQ+, a significant evolution of its flagship industrial video borescope designed to enhance inspection efficiency in the aviation and power generation sectors. This new iteration featured an upgraded central processing unit that supported advanced machine learning algorithms and simultaneous execution of complex analytics. The device included novel capabilities such as the Blade Counter 2.0 for automated gas turbine blade counting and defect recognition, alongside a 10% improvement in battery life. These enhancements allowed inspectors to conduct more thorough and data-driven assessments of critical assets while reducing overall downtime during maintenance cycles.
• In February 2024, Evident launched the IPLEX TX II, an ultra-thin industrial videoscope engineered to facilitate the visual inspection of components with extremely limited access, such as complex castings and molds. This new product offered inspectors the choice between a flexible insertion tube with a 2.2 mm diameter and a rigid scope with a 1.8 mm diameter, both designed to navigate narrow openings while delivering high-quality imagery. The system featured a 120-degree field of view and enhanced durability with a tungsten outer braid, enabling users to efficiently detect defects in small cavities and confined spaces where traditional borescopes could not reach, thus improving quality control processes in manufacturing.
• In January 2024, ViewTech Borescopes expanded its portfolio of remote visual inspection tools with the release of the VJ-3 1.7mm and VJ-4 1.1mm video borescopes, specifically targeting industries requiring access to the tightest spaces. The VJ-3 1.7mm model featured full two-way articulation and a high-resolution camera, making it suitable for detailed inspections in intricate machinery within the aerospace and automotive sectors. Simultaneously, the company introduced the VJ-4 1.1mm, a non-articulating flexible scope designed to provide visual access to previously unreachable areas. These launches addressed the growing market demand for smaller diameter inspection tools that do not compromise on image clarity or usability.

Key Market Players

• Olympus Corporation
• HOYA Corporation
• Karl Storz SE & Co. KG
• Fujifilm Holdings Corporation
• General Electric
• Vision Engineering Ltd.
• Mitcorp International Co., Ltd.
• Aurora Imaging Technology, Inc.
• Emerson Electric Co.
• Teslong Technology Co., Ltd.

By Industry Vertical	By Product	By Region
Energy & Power Automotive & Transportation Manufacturing Aerospace & Defense Construction & Infrastructure Others	Flexible Rigid Disposable	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Industrial Endoscope Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Industrial Endoscope Market, By Industry Vertical:

• Energy & Power
• Automotive & Transportation
• Manufacturing
• Aerospace & Defense
• Construction & Infrastructure
• Others

• Industrial Endoscope Market, By Product:

• Flexible
• Rigid
• Disposable

• Industrial Endoscope Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE