Automotive Pressure Sensor Market Report

MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) sensors are transforming automotive pressure sensing through significant small, accuracy, energy efficiency, and durability. Their compact size allows for flexible integration in vehicles, freeing up space for other components. Designed for precision, these sensors detect minute pressure changes, crucial for safety systems. With low power consumption and a longer lifespan, MEMS sensors are ideal for electric and hybrid vehicles. They are also robust against extreme conditions and corrosion, while their ability to combine multiple sensing functions into one chip simplifies designs.

Additionally, the scalability of MEMS production helps reduce costs, making advanced sensor technology more accessible. The IoT-based pressure sensors are highly used in vehicles to monitor parameters like critical tire pressure and engine performance in real-time this immediately identifies the issues and minimizes proactive maintenance. Diagnostics can be performed with the help of advanced data analytics, reducing the time for repairing and also offering timely maintenance to optimize the service schedule. It further enhances safety as it notifies the driver of any abnormal pressure levels and its connectivity with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. The sharing of data among manufacturers, service providers, and fleet operators is further efficient by cloud connectivity and enables effective monitoring and management of vehicle health across commercial fleets which makes IoT-based pressure sensors an attractive option.

Calibrating automotive pressure sensors is crucial for accurate measurements that impact vehicle performance and safety. This complex process involves aligning sensors with standards, but challenges like environmental factors and manufacturing variations make calibration difficult. Frequent recalibration is necessary to maintain accuracy, increasing costs. Adhering to industry regulations adds to the complexity. Ensuring reliable sensor performance in cars requires intricate calibration procedures and ongoing adjustments. Automotive pressure sensors have a limited lifespan due to wear and tear in harsh environments. Aging sensors can lose accuracy, leading to malfunctions in critical applications like engine management and safety systems. Regular maintenance and replacement are required, increasing costs for manufacturers and owners. Ensuring replacement sensors meet high standards adds complexity to managing sensor longevity in the automotive industry.

In June 2023, Infineon Technologies introduced two new XENSIV™ barometric air pressure (BAP) sensors: the KP464 and KP466, both targeted at automotive applications. While the KP464 was primarily designed for engine control management, the KP466 BAP sensor was intended for seat comfort functions. The KP464 BAP sensor measured atmospheric pressure, which depended on altitude and weather conditions. The engine management system used the sensor’s measurement data to calculate the air density and ensure the optimum air-fuel mixture. This was the key function for improving fuel efficiency and reducing power consumption. With the reduced energy losses, emissions of CO2 and other pollutants could be minimized.

The KP464 BAP sensor from Infineon combined density measurement with additional diagnostics, such as manifold air pressure monitoring. In November 2022, Melexis, a global microelectronics engineering company, introduced a new series of integrated pressure sensors. They were intended for use in automotive engine management. The MLX90824 determined the absolute pressure and then delivered a digital output signal using the SENT protocol, whereas the brother product MLX90822 provided an analog output voltage. These factory-calibrated devices measured pressure spans from 1 to 4 bar. The MLX90824 and MLX90822 consisted of a sensor readout circuit, digital hardware, voltage regulators, and SENT or analog output drivers, plus all the essential passive components. A pre-calibrated NTC thermistor (negative temperature coefficient) input was available for the MLX90824 (SENT output). This allowed customers to interface their NTC through the pressure sensor without end-calibration. 

North America can be considered a promising market due to the rising number of road accidents. Major road accident in the United States happens due to alcohol consumption, distracted drivers, and brake failures which have been taken care of by automotive pressure sensors. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a total of 42,514 deaths happened due to road accidents in the year 2022. Thus, the rising number of car accidents due to brake failing is expected to boost the demand for automotive pressure sensor.

Also, Asia Pacific can be considered a promising market due to the rising production of cars and commercial vehicles. Various countries of Asia Pacific are becoming major automotive hubs, driven by both local consumption and export opportunities. According to the report of the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, out of the top five global vehicle manufacturers, four belong to the Asia Pacific region. As per the data in 2023, China tops the list of global production of cars and commercial vehicles and has combined produced 30 million units, followed by Japan, which holds the third rank and annually produces 8.9 million units. India held the fourth rank and produced a total of 5.8 million units, while South Korea secured the fifth rank and produced 4.2 million units. This makes the Asia-Pacific region promising for the automotive interior material market.