Market overview
The global automotive uncooled infrared cores market is worth USD 242 mn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 895 mn by 2036, growing at a 14.0% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Low resolution (below 640 x 480) is the largest by resolution segment.
| Scope | Uncooled microbolometer thermal imaging cores and modules for automotive night vision and driver-monitoring systems. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Value 2025 | USD 210 mn |
| Value 2026 | USD 242 mn |
| Value 2036 | USD 895 mn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 14.0% |
| Volume 2026 | 1,297 thousand units |
| Volume 2036 | 6,196 thousand units |
| Average price 2026 | USD 186 per unit |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Automotive Uncooled Infrared Cores market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 242 mn |
| 2027 | USD 275 mn |
| 2028 | USD 314 mn |
| 2029 | USD 358 mn |
| 2030 | USD 408 mn |
| 2031 | USD 465 mn |
| 2032 | USD 530 mn |
| 2033 | USD 604 mn |
| 2034 | USD 689 mn |
| 2035 | USD 785 mn |
| 2036 | USD 895 mn |
Automotive Uncooled Infrared Cores market segmentation
By resolution
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low resolution (below 640 x 480) | 48.0% | 34.5% | USD 116 mn | 10.3% |
| 640 x 480 | 40.0% | 44.9% | USD 97 mn | 15.3% |
| Above 640 x 480 | 12.0% | 20.6% | USD 29 mn | 20.3% |
By vehicle
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | 82.0% | 83.6% | USD 198 mn | 14.2% |
| Commercial vehicles | 13.0% | 12.1% | USD 31 mn | 13.2% |
| Specialty and off-road | 5.0% | 4.3% | USD 12 mn | 12.2% |
By pixel pitch
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 micron | 36.0% | 14.0% | USD 87 mn | 3.7% |
| 12 micron | 46.0% | 44.0% | USD 111 mn | 13.5% |
| 8 micron and below | 18.0% | 42.0% | USD 43 mn | 24.1% |
By application
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Night vision | 58.0% | 50.0% | USD 140 mn | 12.3% |
| Driver monitoring | 22.0% | 26.0% | USD 53 mn | 15.9% |
| Pedestrian and animal detection | 20.0% | 24.0% | USD 48 mn | 16.1% |
By sales channel
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct to vehicle makers | 52.0% | 50.0% | USD 126 mn | 13.6% |
| Tier-1 integrators | 38.0% | 38.0% | USD 92 mn | 14.0% |
| Aftermarket | 10.0% | 12.0% | USD 24 mn | 16.1% |
Top 25 countries for automotive uncooled infrared cores by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 93.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 98.4%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 97 mn | 40.0% | USD 458 mn | 16.9% |
| 2 | United States | USD 48 mn | 20.0% | USD 148 mn | 11.8% |
| 3 | Germany | USD 24 mn | 10.0% | USD 68 mn | 10.9% |
| 4 | Japan | USD 14 mn | 6.0% | USD 37 mn | 9.7% |
| 5 | South Korea | USD 12 mn | 5.0% | USD 40 mn | 12.8% |
| 6 | United Kingdom | USD 7.2 mn | 3.0% | USD 21 mn | 11.0% |
| 7 | France | USD 7.2 mn | 3.0% | USD 21 mn | 11.0% |
| 8 | Canada | USD 4.8 mn | 2.0% | USD 15 mn | 12.2% |
| 9 | Italy | USD 4.8 mn | 2.0% | USD 13 mn | 10.8% |
| 10 | Sweden | USD 4.8 mn | 2.0% | USD 13 mn | 10.8% |
| 11 | Spain | USD 2.5 mn | 1.0% | USD 8.3 mn | 12.7% |
| 12 | Netherlands | USD 2.0 mn | 0.8% | USD 6.8 mn | 12.7% |
| 13 | India | USD 1.7 mn | 0.7% | USD 7.1 mn | 15.6% |
| 14 | Switzerland | USD 1.4 mn | 0.6% | USD 4.6 mn | 12.7% |
| 15 | Austria | USD 1.1 mn | 0.5% | USD 3.8 mn | 13.0% |
| 16 | Belgium | USD 0.92 mn | 0.4% | USD 3.0 mn | 12.7% |
| 17 | Czech Republic | USD 0.75 mn | 0.3% | USD 3.1 mn | 15.4% |
| 18 | Israel | USD 0.60 mn | 0.2% | USD 2.6 mn | 15.7% |
| 19 | Norway | USD 0.51 mn | 0.2% | USD 1.7 mn | 12.9% |
| 20 | Poland | USD 0.41 mn | 0.2% | USD 1.7 mn | 15.3% |
| 21 | Finland | USD 0.34 mn | 0.1% | USD 1.2 mn | 13.2% |
| 22 | Australia | USD 0.27 mn | 0.1% | USD 1.2 mn | 15.9% |
| 23 | Denmark | USD 0.22 mn | 0.09% | USD 0.72 mn | 12.7% |
| 24 | Taiwan | USD 0.19 mn | 0.08% | USD 0.81 mn | 15.3% |
| 25 | Mexico | USD 0.14 mn | 0.06% | USD 0.63 mn | 15.8% |
| Rest of world | USD 3.8 mn | 1.6% | USD 14 mn | 13.6% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Teledyne FLIR
- Lynred
- HIKMICRO
- Leonardo DRS
- BAE Systems
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Guide Sensmart
- Raytron Technology
- IRay Technology
- Zhejiang Dali Technology
- Opgal
- Excelitas
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Seek Thermal
- AdaSky
- Heimann Sensor
- Obsidian Sensors
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the automotive uncooled infrared cores market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 14.0% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by resolution, by vehicle, by pixel pitch, by application, by sales channel. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the automotive uncooled infrared cores market?
The global automotive uncooled infrared cores market is estimated at USD 210 mn in 2025 and USD 242 mn in 2026.
How fast will the automotive uncooled infrared cores market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 895 mn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 14.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 654 mn.
Which country is the largest market for automotive uncooled infrared cores?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 97 mn in 2026, 40.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 70.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, China is growing fastest at 16.9% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which automotive uncooled infrared cores segment is largest?
In the by resolution split, Low resolution (below 640 x 480) is the largest segment with 48.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading automotive uncooled infrared cores companies?
Global leaders include Teledyne FLIR, Lynred, HIKMICRO, Leonardo DRS.
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