A new $1.8bn market for force sensors in user interfaces as they move beyond touch

A new
$1.8bn market for force sensors in user interfaces as they move beyond touch 
IDTechEx

Cambridge, UK

A new $1.8bn market for force sensors in user interfaces as they
move beyond touch
by James Hayward, Technology Analyst, IDTechEx

A brand new report from IDTechExResearch studying
the use of force sensors in user interfaces has found that the market will
reach $1.8bn annually by 2027.
 

Since the mobile era, touch screens have been at the core of our
user interface with electronic devices. However, as the technology behind touch
interfaces begins to saturate, many players now look beyond touch to the future
of user interfaces. Whilst advanced solutions including voice and gesture
detection, right through to perceptive computing are suggested, many suppliers
are looking for the best ways to improve the existing platform. It is possible
to literally add an additional dimension to touch interfaces by adding force
sensing. This trend has been strongly visible from various market leaders
throughout 2015 and 2016. 
 

However, force sensors themselves are certainly nothing new, and
even their use within user interfaces dates back over 40 years where they were
first used in musical instrument toys. In fact, force sensors in musical
instruments including electronic drum kits, keyboards and more has been the
most mature market, and until 2015, one of the largest (when focusing
specifically on user interfaces at least). However, with many high profile
consumer electronics products containing force sensing interfaces launched
throughout 2015 (most notably from Apple, in their smartwatch, laptop and
smartphone products), this has quickly dominated the market. As such, the user
interface landscape is undergoing a period of significant change, with force
sensing as a prominent early step.

The evolution of user interfaces with computers. Source:
IDTechEx Research report Force Sensors in User Interfaces 2017-2027 (www.IDTechEx.com/force).

With activities of over 30 companies documented and compared, ForceSensors in User Interfaces 2017-2027 provides the most concise, relevant and
thorough coverage of the trend towards force sensing in user interfaces. The
report also provides a detailed discussion of each of the key technologies
involved, including the basic principles, value chain implications (from
materials through to product) and
example players in each case. The report provides detailed market forecasts,
starting from historic data for 2015, and forecasting through to 2027 by
application/product type and by technology.

The report expects capacitive force sensing to remain dominant,
with advantages over resistive options and immaturity in more emerging
techniques such as piezoelectric polymers or dielectric elastomers allowing
them to dominate the market. The report also covers detailed application ideas
across sectors including consumer electronics, automotive and industrial
markets. This includes well characterised products like the smartphone or
tablet, through to important future markets like controllers for AR & VR
devices, and also smaller niches like musical instruments and home appliances
& tools.

A summary of the share of products sold in 2020 by market
sector, based on the IDTechEx forecast.
Source: IDTechEx Research report Force Sensors in User Interfaces 2017-2027 (www.IDTechEx.com/force).

Whilst force sensing is certainly not the user interface end
game, it represents a very important step as the entire value chain behind user
interfaces moves beyond touch. The value proposition is initially subtle, with
many interesting features as detailed within the report but a distinct lack of
any “killer-app” within the consumer space for now. However, as technology and
markets mature, we expect that areas such as input controllers for VR and AR
devices (building on an initial base from the games console controller space)
and later as a user interfaces in the automotive spaces will drive growth to
around $1.8bn in annual force sensor sales for user interfaces alone.
 

With extensive coverage across industries including sensors,
displays, touch (e.g. TCFs) and printed electronics, as well as coverage of
verticals like wearable technology, other consumer electronics markets and also
in the automotive space, IDTechEx analysts have collaborated to produce a
highly contextual, insightful and timely report on an industry which is
developing very quickly and is relevant to the entire electronics value chain.

For more see www.IDTechEx.com/force.