Smart front ADAS cameras remain the highest-value segment, while satellite cameras are proliferating with centralised architecture – Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) shipments are rising, with strong CAGR driven by regulations 

The product mix in ADAS is  moving towards high-resolution 8 MP sensors with R&D efforts towards improving High Dynamic Range (HDR) and LED Flickering Mitigation (LFM) and reducing pixel size. 

Emergent technologies are integrated into radar sensors, such as Event-based Vision Sensors( EVS), Near-Infrared/Short-Wave Infrared (NIR/SWIR), and thermal cameras.

Today’s growth is not just about more cameras, but about smarter integration, better sensing performance, and strategic deployment aligned with vehicle intelligence. ADAS, infotainment, and cockpit design are driving a sophisticated, sensor-rich vehicle 

The move toward distributed camera architecture is reshaping the ADAS market. The traditional single front smart camera gives way to multiple side, rear, and viewing cameras, enabled by zonal computing and sensor fusion.

The 360° surround-view camera is the primary contributor in volume, especially as parking assistance and L2+ automation have become standard. Meanwhile, DMS is emerging as a regulatory and design imperative in Europe and beyond, with RGB-IR and global shutter sensors increasing system value. 

Lens set trends are currently shifting toward hybrid solutions to reduce costs and improve performance. Newer camera functions such as e-mirrors and exterior access cameras are emerging in premium EV platforms.

 Four CIS  used in Occupant Monitoring System (OMS) and DMS modules  are Omnivision’s OX03A2S (3.2 µm rolling shutter pixel) and OV9284 (3 µm global shutter pixel), as well as onsemi’s AR0136AT (3.75 µm rolling shutter pixel) and AR0144AT (3 µm global shutter pixel). 

They feature resolutions ranging from 1 MP to as high as 2.5 MP and utilize various packaging technologies, including advanced chip-scale and ball grid array. They also incorporate a range of imaging technologies, such as global shutter readout and time-of-flight-based depth imaging.

“The selected CIS were sourced from systems designed for different in-cabin applications, including driver attention monitoring, facial recognition, gesture recognition, and occupant monitoring,” says Yole’s Meziane Saidani, “these systems are used in vehicles and tier 1 manufacturing solutions across multiple geographic regions, including North America and Asia.”

Transformative trends in automotive camera technologies are:

8MP sensors are increasingly adopted in ADAS front and side cameras to improve perception range and sensor fusion quality.

HDR and LFM architectures, such as split-pixel and LOFIC HDR, are now standard for key applications.

Lens set revenue will grow at 8.1% CAGR between 2024 and 2025, reflecting demand for thermally stable, wide-angle optics.

In-cabin DMS will use RGB-IR sensors, with 3D ToF and global shutter options emerging for smart airbags and biometric monitoring.

“Camera maintenance systems are a fast-growing niche as well, especially for exterior modules,” explains Anas Chalak from Yole Group. “Innovations include ultrasonic cleaning by Murata and TI, lens heating from Ficosa and other Tier-1s, and software-triggered cleaning systems for autonomous platforms.”

The evolving imaging landscape calls for robust packaging solutions:

iBGA packaging leads in ADAS and DMS due to thermal and signal stability.

CSP remains viable for viewing cameras where cost optimization is critical.

Ceramic packages are declining due to higher cost and limited scalability.

Meanwhile, filter innovations like RCCB = Red-clear-clear-blue (RCCB) and Red-clear-clear-clear (RCCC) arrays are replacing traditional Bayer filters for improved low-light sensitivity, crucial for detecting red signals and enabling safer nighttime driving.p. 

Long-term development in the emerging field of EVS with real-time imaging and minimal latency, is underway in hyperspectral, SWIR, and gated imaging, which offer superior performance in poor visibility, although cost remains a barrier.