Advancement of Core 'Sensor' Technology in Autonomous Driving and Increased Demand for Sensors with Level Evolution

Automotive sensors are devices that detect and collect information about the state of a vehicle and its surroundings to enhance safety and convenience. The current automotive sensor market is rapidly growing due to high demand and technological advancements.

Automotive sensors play a crucial role in effectively operating various systems such as engines, brakes, and airbags, thereby improving safety and convenience. The automotive sensor market is expected to occupy a more critical position in the future alongside the advancement of autonomous driving technology. The market is currently experiencing rapid growth and is projected to continue this high growth trajectory.

Autonomous driving technology is anticipated to progress from level 3 in 2022 to level 5 full autonomy by 2030. Achieving full autonomy in autonomous vehicles requires advancements in sensor technology. Recent trends in the automotive sensor market include the development of autonomous driving technologies utilizing artificial intelligence and big data, as well as sensor technologies aimed at environmentally friendly electric vehicles and improving fuel efficiency. Continuous innovation and advancement in automotive sensor technology are expected to create a safer and more efficient vehicle usage environment.

As the levels towards full autonomy increase, the number of required sensors also rises, and accordingly, higher technological capabilities are demanded. With the expansion of market size and the improvement of autonomous driving levels, the demand for automotive electronic components for autonomous vehicles is expected to surge. MCNEX is developing various cameras, sensor technologies, and controllers necessary for ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and autonomous driving technologies to achieve level 5 autonomy, providing a total solution for autonomous driving.

- To implement safe autonomous driving, it is essential to clearly recognize the surroundings of the vehicle. Therefore, more camera modules are required to better understand the vehicle's surroundings.

- The average number of camera modules in Tesla's autonomous vehicles was only about 2-3 until 2020, but this number has rapidly increased to 7-8 since then.

• The 360° Surround View Monitor (SVM) for convenient parking assistance uses four cameras to cover the entire vehicle, and internal cameras are applied in driver assistance systems to detect the driver's gaze and prevent drowsy driving. The use of cameras in the automotive industry continues to expand.
• It is expected that the utilization of automotive cameras, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), virtual mirrors, 360° surround view monitors, and rearview cameras, will continue to increase.
• With the spread of autonomous vehicles, the adoption rate of camera modules is also rapidly increasing.
   

ADAS Sensor Market Expected to Grow to 34 Trillion KRW by 2030
 
The core technologies of autonomous vehicles primarily include camera and sensor technology, connectivity, software algorithms (AI and machine learning), and simulation. By integrating technologies such as LiDAR, radar, ultrasonic sensors, GPS, IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), and computer vision, the surrounding environment is perceived and analyzed. These sensors and systems interact with each other to provide accurate and real-time environmental information. AI and machine learning are used to interpret this data and make driving decisions.

For the technical completion of autonomous vehicles, the development of automotive sensors is essential. The key sensors for ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), such as cameras, radars, LiDAR, and ultrasonic sensors, are also expected to continue growing, driven by the advancement of autonomous vehicles, through 2030.

The Autonomous Vehicle Market Size Estimated to Reach $126.2 Billion Annually
 
According to a study by market research firm President Research, the global autonomous vehicle market size was estimated to be $126.19 billion (approximately KRW 163 trillion) in 2022. The market size is projected to reach $170.14 billion (approximately KRW 220.3993 trillion) in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.8%, reaching $1.80844 trillion (approximately KRW 2,342.834 trillion) by 2030.

Autonomous Vehicle Market Size from 2020 to 2030 (Unit: Billion USD)

Source: Precedence research(precedenceresearch.com)

"Market Expansion Due to the Surge in Demand for Electronic Components for Autonomous Vehicles“

 
MCNEX is growing into a global electronic component company that enhances customer value by participating in the development of various new models with Hyundai/Kia (first-tier suppliers) and global mobility companies as the demand for electronic components for autonomous vehicles surges and the market expands.

MCNEX continues to develop high-resolution camera modules used in devices such as smartphones and tablets, and is continuously researching and developing camera-based sensor technologies. Particularly in the autonomous driving industry, as the demand for such technologies increases, the research and development of sensor technology is being expanded.

The company is developing camera sensors and systems for ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and autonomous driving technologies. Over 20 billion KRW is being invested annually in R&D for sensing cameras for autonomous vehicles and electric vehicle components, with the goal of increasing the resolution of the current sensing cameras from 2 million pixels to 6 million pixels by the end of this year.

As a core technology in the field of autonomous driving, it is applied to ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) to enhance the safety of autonomous driving. From next year, the optimized sensing cameras and imaging systems for LV3 autonomous vehicles, which are being commercialized, and the Tri-Focal camera sensing system, specialized for front and side object recognition using three cameras to enhance the safety of autonomous driving, will be unveiled. Additionally, the dual sensing camera system with a prism method to increase the recognition rate of objects in the side direction of rotating vehicles was introduced, showcasing MCNEX's technology to directly demonstrate its technological competitiveness leading the future autonomous driving era.