Infrared Imaging Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented, By Technology (Cooled Infrared Imaging and Uncooled Infrared Imaging), By Wavelength (Near-Infrared, Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR), Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR), and Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR)), By Application (Security & Surveillance, Monitoring & Inspection, and Detection), By Vertical (Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Healthcare, Industrial, and Others), By Region, By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 10.16 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	9.05%
Fastest Growing Segment	Uncooled Infrared Imaging
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 17.09 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Infrared Imaging Market will grow from USD 10.16 Billion in 2025 to USD 17.09 Billion by 2031 at a 9.05% CAGR. Infrared imaging is a sensing technology that detects thermal radiation emitted by objects to create visual representations based on temperature variations. The global market is primarily supported by the increasing necessity for predictive maintenance in industrial manufacturing and the rising demand for night vision systems in the automotive sector to enhance safety. These foundational drivers are distinct from technological trends, as they stem from the critical operational requirements of automation and security surveillance. According to the VDMA Machine Vision sector group, in 2024, the manufacturing industry accounted for a 71 percent market share for vision systems, highlighting the substantial reliance on imaging technologies for quality control and industrial automation.

One significant challenge that could impede market expansion is the high production cost associated with advanced infrared detectors. The complex fabrication processes required for high-performance sensors result in elevated price points, which can restrict the adoption of these technologies in cost-sensitive commercial applications and limit their penetration into broader consumer markets.

Key Market Drivers

The surge in global defense spending and military modernization constitutes a primary driving force for the infrared imaging market. Nations are prioritizing the acquisition of advanced optronics to enhance situational awareness and target acquisition in low-light environments. This trend is quantified by rising budgets allocated for thermal sights and surveillance systems. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, April 2024, in the 'Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2023' Fact Sheet, global military spending grew by 6.8 percent in real terms to reach $2443 billion in 2023. Such capital injection accelerates the deployment of cooled and uncooled infrared detectors across land, sea, and air platforms, ensuring that defense forces maintain operational superiority against evolving threats.

Concurrently, the integration of infrared technology into automotive ADAS and autonomous driving systems significantly propels market growth. Regulatory bodies are increasingly mandating safety features that remain effective in darkness, a condition where standard visual cameras often falter. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, April 2024, in the 'Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 127' final rule, the requirement for automatic emergency braking systems to function at night is projected to save at least 362 lives annually. This regulatory pressure forces manufacturers to adopt thermal sensing to meet compliance. Reflecting the broader scale of this technological demand, according to Teledyne Technologies, February 2024, in the '2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K', the Digital Imaging segment achieved net sales of $3.1 billion, underscoring the substantial financial scale of the sensing and imaging hardware sector.

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Key Market Challenges

The high production cost associated with advanced infrared detectors acts as a notable constraint on the global infrared imaging market. These sensors require complex fabrication processes to ensure accuracy and thermal sensitivity, which inherently increases manufacturing expenses. Consequently, the final price of infrared imaging systems remains elevated, making them less accessible for cost-sensitive commercial applications. This pricing structure restricts the technology from expanding into high-volume consumer sectors where budgetary limitations are more stringent than in defense or specialized industrial environments.

This financial barrier directly impacts market growth by slowing down the adoption rate of thermal sensing hardware among potential new users. When capital expenditure requirements are high, organizations frequently delay or reduce their procurement of vision systems. According to the VDMA Machine Vision sector group, in 2024, the industry expected a nominal turnover decline of 3 percent due to a general reluctance to invest in capital equipment. This contraction highlights how economic factors, driven by high unit costs, can impede the broader penetration and consistent expansion of imaging technologies.

Key Market Trends

The adoption of Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) technology in industrial machine vision is accelerating due to the emergence of cost-effective sensing materials, such as colloidal quantum dots, which are replacing traditionally expensive Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs) detectors. This technological shift is reducing the financial barrier for implementing SWIR capabilities—such as detecting moisture, sorting plastics, and inspecting semiconductor wafers—allowing them to expand beyond niche high-end manufacturing into broader commercial applications. Highlighting this rapid progression towards affordability, according to Emberion Oy, October 2024, in the 'Emberion Oy Introduces Groundbreaking Ultra Low-Cost SWIR Sensor' press release, the company achieved a breakthrough production cost of less than €50 per sensor for its new quantum dot-based technology in large volumes. This drastic price decline is expected to facilitate widespread deployment of SWIR sensors in cost-sensitive industrial sectors where they were previously economically unviable.

Concurrently, the proliferation of uncooled microbolometers is driving the integration of thermal imaging into mass-market electronics, particularly within the mobile and wearable sectors. Advancements in wafer-level packaging and sensor miniaturization have allowed manufacturers to produce compact, energy-efficient thermal cores that fit seamlessly into consumer devices for applications like home diagnostics and personal safety. Demonstrating this trend towards accessible consumer hardware, according to Seek Thermal, June 2024, in the 'Introducing Seek Nano' press release, the company launched its new Nano 200 thermal camera for smartphones at a price point of $149, significantly undercutting traditional market rates. This commoditization allows thermal sensing to transition from a specialized professional tool into an everyday utility, fostering a new ecosystem of consumer-oriented thermal applications distinct from industrial or military uses.

Segmental Insights

The Uncooled Infrared Imaging segment identifies as the fastest growing category within the Global Infrared Imaging Market due to distinct economic and operational advantages. This technology eliminates the need for heavy cryogenic cooling components, resulting in sensors that are significantly lighter, smaller, and less expensive to manufacture than cooled alternatives. Consequently, high demand has emerged within commercial and industrial sectors, specifically for handheld thermography and surveillance applications. The ability to integrate these compact sensors into mass market devices without requiring specialized maintenance continues to drive their widespread utilization over traditional systems.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the global infrared imaging market, driven primarily by extensive utilization within the United States aerospace and defense sectors. The United States Department of Defense continues to allocate significant funding for thermal sensing capabilities in surveillance, target acquisition, and border security operations. Additionally, the industrial sector heavily relies on these technologies for predictive maintenance and non-destructive testing to ensure operational efficiency. This strong regional demand is further supported by the presence of major manufacturers and continuous technological advancements that facilitate broader commercial application across the continent.

Recent Developments

• In October 2024, Lynred, a global leader in high-quality infrared sensors, acquired New Imaging Technologies (NIT), a company specializing in shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging sensors and modules. This strategic acquisition allows the company to significantly expand its product portfolio, particularly in the SWIR technology sector, which is increasingly critical for applications in aerospace, defense, and industrial machine vision. The Executive President of the company noted that integrating these innovative capabilities would accelerate growth and shorten the time-to-market for state-of-the-art infrared products. This move aligns with the company's broader investment strategy to enhance production capacity and maintain its leadership position in the global market.
• In October 2024, Hensoldt and Raytheon signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen their collaboration on the development and support of electro-optical and infrared systems for NATO forces. This partnership focuses on enhancing the operational readiness and sustainment of critical sensor technologies used by defense allies across Europe. A key component of the agreement involves establishing a dedicated maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in Germany to provide localized support. A representative from the company emphasized that this cooperation leverages the combined strengths of both organizations to deliver superior imaging solutions and ensure that military personnel possess the most reliable and advanced sensor capabilities available.
• In June 2024, Seek Thermal introduced the Seek Nano, a compact and professional-grade thermal imaging camera engineered for seamless integration with smartphones. This product launch represents a significant step in making high-resolution thermal sensing technology accessible to a broader market through a competitive price point. The device utilizes proprietary image optimization technology to deliver superior detail, contrast, and edge clarity, which is essential for applications such as building inspection and electronics troubleshooting. The Vice President of the company stated that the new camera aims to break down improved performance barriers, bringing expert-level thermal diagnostics to both professional tradespeople and general consumers.
• In April 2024, Teledyne FLIR announced the expansion of its X-Series family of science-grade thermal cameras with the launch of the X6980-HS and X8580-HS models. These new high-speed infrared imaging systems are designed to meet the rigorous demands of research and development applications within the mid-wave and longwave infrared spectrums. The cameras feature enhanced connectivity options and a removable solid-state drive for lossless onboard recording, ensuring zero dropped frames during critical data capture. A Business Development Director at the company highlighted that these advancements provide operators in defense and academic sectors with the precise, high-speed data transfer capabilities required for complex testing scenarios.

Key Market Players

• Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
• Leonardo DRS, Inc.
• Axis Communications AB
• Zhejiang Dali Technology Co.,Ltd.
• Opgal Ltd.
• L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
• Fluke Corporation
• RTX Corporation
• Allied Vision Technologies GmbH
• BAE Systems plc

By Technology	By Wavelength	By Application	By Vertical	By Region
Cooled Infrared Imaging and Uncooled Infrared Imaging	Near-Infrared Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR)	Security & Surveillance Monitoring & Inspection Detection	Aerospace & Defense Automotive Healthcare Industrial Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Infrared Imaging Market, By Technology:

• Cooled Infrared Imaging and Uncooled Infrared Imaging

• Infrared Imaging Market, By Wavelength:

• Near-Infrared
• Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR)
• Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR)
• Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR)

• Infrared Imaging Market, By Application:

• Security & Surveillance
• Monitoring & Inspection
• Detection

• Infrared Imaging Market, By Vertical:

• Aerospace & Defense
• Automotive
• Healthcare
• Industrial
• Others

• Infrared Imaging 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