Which Sensors Will AI Need Most in the Physical World?

Created on Today, Published on Today

When we think about AI sensing the physical world, cameras, LiDAR, and sensors used in robotics often come to mind.

But here's a surprising figure:

Magnetic-field sensors accounted for 41.2% of forecast semiconductor sensor shipments in 2022, according to IC Insights.

This figure comes from a specific statistical category that excludes image and light sensors. It does not represent the current global market share of all sensors.

Still, it raises an important question:

As AI moves into the physical world, which types of sensors will see the greatest demand?

Following our first study on the scale of global sensing demand, ZenMeasure has published the second report in its ANS 2027 research series:

Which Sensors Does AI Need to Sense the Physical World?

The study examines publicly available shipment data, classifies sensors into ten categories by their primary measurement purpose, and explores how sensing requirements differ across real-world applications.

It covers buildings and environmental monitoring, cold-chain logistics, vehicles and energy systems, industrial equipment, robotics, and consumer devices.

The report also compares three potential future deployment scenarios:

Environments and objects:

 Temperature and humidity sensors represent 30% of the illustrative component mix.

Expansion across sectors:

 Temperature and humidity sensors represent 20%.

Autonomous equipment:

 Position, angle, and rotational-speed sensors represent 20%.

These percentages are scenario assumptions, not forecasts of future market shares. They illustrate how different deployment patterns could reshape the demand for sensor types.

The study also examines a critical industry question:

Does higher sensor shipment volume necessarily mean greater market opportunity?

For sensor manufacturers, IoT solution providers, and system integrators, unit shipments alone do not determine market potential. Application value, component pricing, deployment patterns, and service opportunities also matter.

What's inside the full report?

Public shipment data and statistical limitations across major sensor categories
Ten sensor categories relevant to physical-world AI applications
Sensor requirements across six application areas
Three future scenarios comparing sensor-type combinations
Key sensing developments and opportunities to watch during 2027–2029

Get the Full Research Report

Sensor Outlook 2027 for the AI Era

Study 2: Which Sensors Does AI Need to Sense the Physical World?

Complete the form below to receive the full English report (PDF).

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Research note: Historical shipment figures reflect specific statistical scopes. Future sensor-category percentages are illustrative scenario assumptions, not measured or forecast global market shares.