APRIL 6--A new market study shows that 2005 was a good year for the machine-vision and imaging industry and that continued growth is expected in 2006. Smart cameras saw the strongest growth in 2005, with a 19.1% increase in units and a 14.4% jump in revenue. Sales of application-specific machine--vision systems rose 13.6% in units and 6.4% in revenue. Fast-growing component markets included cameras, optics, and vision software. The study, entitled Machine Vision Markets; 2005 Results and Forecasts to 2010, is published by the Automated Imaging Association (AIA; Ann Arbor, MI), the world's largest machine vision trade group, with more than 250 member companies from 24 countries.
"Machine-vision markets in North America continue to display strength and vitality, with 2005 results building upon the record sales figures of 2004," said Paul Kellett, AIA director of market analysis. "All indications point to continued growth in 2006, as companies continue to invest in technologies such as machine vision that can help them become stronger global competitors," Kellett said.
The AIA expects the industry to be helped by the upcoming Vision East trade show and conference in Boston, May 9-11, 2006. "We expect to see strong interest at the show in new products, especially those that have been designed to meet the new GigE Vision standard that the AIA will officially release at the show," said Jeff Burnstein, AIA executive director.
The study is available for purchase--$995 for AIA members and $1395 for non-AIA members. Study participants receive a substantial discount. To order the study, visit www.machinevisiononline.org or call AIA headquarters at (734) 994-6088.
