Introduction: Navigating the Future of Touchless Sensing
Touchless sensing is rapidly changing the competitive landscape. It is a result of the accelerated diffusion of technology, the imposition of regulations and the rising expectations of consumers for a more fluid interactivity. The main players, the original equipment manufacturers, the IT systems integrators, the suppliers of the machines, and the new AI start-ups, are striving for leadership, by deploying the most advanced technologies: AI-based analysis, automation, the Internet of Things, biometrics. These differentiating factors not only improve the customer experience, but also optimize the operating efficiency of the equipment, enabling companies to seize a large share of the market. The new opportunities, in the green field and the sustainable development, are to be found mainly in North America and Asia-Pacific, where strategic deployments will define the standards by 2024 and 2025. Those in charge of the business need to be alert to these developments in order to steer a course in the middle of the fierce competition, and to seize the opportunities offered by the transformational power of touchless sensing.
Competitive Positioning
Full-Suite Integrators
These vendors provide comprehensive solutions that integrate touchless sensing technologies into broader systems.
| Vendor | Competitive Edge | Solution Focus | Regional Focus |
|---|
| Microsoft Corporation |
Strong cloud integration capabilities |
AI and cloud-based touchless solutions |
Global |
| Qualcomm Inc. |
Leading mobile processing technology |
Mobile and IoT touchless applications |
Global |
| Intel |
Advanced computing power and AI |
Embedded touchless sensing solutions |
Global |
Specialized Technology Vendors
These companies focus on niche technologies that enhance touchless sensing capabilities.
| Vendor | Competitive Edge | Solution Focus | Regional Focus |
|---|
| Eyesight Technologies Ltd. |
Expertise in computer vision |
Gesture recognition and control |
Israel, Europe, U.S. |
| Elliptic Labs Inc. |
Proprietary ultrasonic technology |
Touchless gesture and proximity sensing |
Global |
| CogniVue Corporation |
Focus on low-power processing |
Vision processing for touchless applications |
North America |
Infrastructure & Equipment Providers
These vendors supply the hardware and infrastructure necessary for implementing touchless sensing technologies.
| Vendor | Competitive Edge | Solution Focus | Regional Focus |
|---|
| Microchip Technology Inc. |
Robust microcontroller solutions |
Embedded systems for touchless sensing |
Global |
| InvenSense |
High-performance motion sensors |
Sensor solutions for touchless interfaces |
Global |
| NXP Semiconductors |
Strong automotive and IoT focus |
Secure touchless sensing solutions |
Global |
| Crossmatch |
Expertise in biometric solutions |
Biometric touchless sensing technologies |
U.S., Europe |
Emerging Players & Regional Champions
- The biometrics specialist, SensoGuard, has been supplying its fingerprint-free access control systems to a number of high-security government facilities and is now competing with established players like HID Global by offering more flexible integration.
- Touchless Tech (Germany) Touchless Tech focuses on touchless gesture recognition for smart home appliances. It has teamed up with a major manufacturer of household appliances to integrate its technology into new products, thereby complementing existing smart home ecosystems and challenging traditional control methods.
- AirSense Innovations (India): AirSense Innovations develops touchless sensing solutions for medical applications, such as patient monitoring systems that reduce the risk of infection. It has recently signed up several hospitals as a result of which it is now a leading regional manufacturer of medical devices.
- The first is WaveSense, a South Korean company that manufactures touch-free sensors for automotive applications, including driver monitoring systems. It recently teamed up with a major car manufacturer to develop advanced vehicle safety features.
Regional Trends: In 2024, there is a significant increase in the use of contactless sensing in various industries, particularly in the health care and automotive industries. North America and Europe lead in terms of technological development, while Asia-Pacific is rapidly catching up, driven by increased investment in smart home and automotive applications. Companies are developing niche solutions that improve the user experience and safety, often by using artificial intelligence and machine learning to differentiate themselves from the big players.
Collaborations & M&A Movements
- Honeywell and Microsoft entered a partnership to integrate touchless sensing technology into smart building solutions, aiming to enhance energy efficiency and user experience in commercial spaces.
- STMicroelectronics acquired the touchless sensing division of a leading automotive supplier to strengthen its position in the automotive market and expand its product offerings in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
- Qualcomm and Bosch collaborated to develop next-generation touchless sensing solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT), focusing on improving user interaction and device connectivity.
Competitive Summary Table
| Capability | Leading Players | Remarks |
|---|
| Biometric Self-Boarding |
Gemalto, Thales, IDEMIA |
In many major airports, Gemalto has already installed biometric self-boarding solutions, which facilitate the flow of passengers and reduce waiting times. Similarly, Thales offers a comprehensive solution that can be integrated with existing systems, while the solutions offered by IDEMIA are renowned for their high precision and security. |
| AI-Powered Ops Mgmt |
Siemens, Honeywell, IBM |
Operations management tools from Siemens are now available that are based on artificial intelligence and optimize the use of resources in real time. Machine learning is used to predict the need for maintenance, thus increasing efficiency. Among other things, the airports of the world are already using the IBM supercomputer Watson for analyzing big data and gaining insights into operations. |
| Border Control |
SITA, Vision-Box, Secunet |
SITA’s border control solutions use facial recognition technology to reduce processing times. Vision-Box has implemented automatic border control systems in several European airports, improving both security and efficiency. Secunet’s systems are known for their robust security, making them the preferred choice for government departments. |
| Sustainability |
Schneider Electric, Siemens, Honeywell |
The Schneider Electric concern is to provide energy-saving equipment for the operation of airports. The company Siemens has introduced new building technology which reduces energy consumption. Honeywell has developed smart air-quality monitoring systems, which have been adopted by several airports to improve their performance. |
| Passenger Experience |
Amadeus, Travelport, SAP |
Amadeus provides a range of bespoke travel solutions that enhance the customer experience from booking to boarding. Travelport’s platform combines all the services needed to make the journey seamless, while SAP’s customer experience solutions are tailored to improve engagement and satisfaction, as demonstrated in its long-standing partnership with major airlines. |
Conclusion: Navigating the Touchless Sensing Landscape
The Touchless Sensing market in 2024 is characterized by high competition and a high degree of fragmentation, with both established and new companies competing for market share. The main trends in the market are an increase in demand for touchless solutions in North America and Asia-Pacific, which is a result of the increasing awareness of consumers and technological advances. Consequently, the market is becoming more complex and vendors must strategically position themselves to take advantage of the market. The established companies are focusing on enhancing their existing product lines with new features, while the new companies are disrupting the market with agile and technology-driven solutions. In this context, the companies must focus on the following capabilities to maintain their leadership and flexibility in the rapidly changing environment.
