This section provides an overview for vehicle sensors as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 43 vehicle sensor manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked vehicle sensor companies as of November, 2024: 1.3M, 2.BEA Americas, 3.Bourns, Inc.
Table of Contents
Categories Related to Vehicle Sensors
A vehicle sensor, also called a vehicle detection sensor, is a sensor that can detect and count the number of vehicles that have passed or are parked in a given location.
The use of vehicle sensors can greatly improve management capabilities because they can keep track of vehicles parked in parking lots, etc., and detect anomalies such as reverse driving. They also help to improve the efficiency of vehicle movement in factories and distribution centers.
Vehicle sensor is available in wall-mounted, recessed, and ceiling-mounted types, and can be selected according to the intended use.
Vehicle sensors are used in large parking lots, coin-operated parking lots, factory gates, distribution centers, etc. because they can detect the presence or absence of cars, trucks, and other vehicles. In particular, vehicle sensors have become popular in parking lots in recent years because they can monitor the availability of parking spaces by attaching vehicle sensors to each parking space.
Some vehicle sensors can also be used to protect the safety of pedestrians by buzzing or audibly alerting passersby when a vehicle passes by.
Vehicle sensors differ in what they can detect, and there are several different types of principles. The most commonly used types are microwave, infrared, and ultrasonic sensors. The reflected waves from microwaves, infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, etc., hitting an object are measured to determine the moving speed, distance, presence, etc., of the target vehicle. Many of these products that use reflected waves may malfunction due to weather conditions, especially when used outdoors. Also, the detection range may vary depending on the size and material of the vehicle to be detected.
Another principle is called a loop coil sensor. The presence or absence of a vehicle is determined by detecting the inductance that changes when a metallic object passes over the top of a looped cable coil. This type of sensor is embedded and requires installation.
A similar principle to the loop coil sensor is the magnetic sensor. It detects and judges the change in magnetism caused by the passing of a metal vehicle.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
Sort by Area
Pepperl+Fuchs, Inc. was founded in Mannheim, Germany in 1945 developing the forerunner of the proximity switch. Pepperl+Fuchs continues to develop proximity sensors as well as other industrial sensors including ultrasonic sensors, rotary encoders, positioning systems, display and signal processing, vibration monitoring, industrial communication, and signal processing as well as related accessories and software. Explosive protection products include safety barriers, surge protection, wireless solutions, HMI systems, power supplies, electrical explosion protection equipment, level measurement, and related software.
3M Company was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota. 3M provides diversified technology services globally. 3M operates through four segments: Safety and Industrial, Transportation and Electronics, Health Care, and Consumer. The Safety and Industrial segment offerings include industrial abrasives, masking, and natural and color-coated mineral granules for shingles. The Transportation and Electronics segment offerings include ceramic solutions, light management films, and electronics assembly solutions. The Healthcare segment offerings include wound care, dentistry and orthodontia solutions, and filtration and purification systems. The Consumer segment offerings include consumer bandages, picture hanging, and stationery products.
Amphenol Advanced Sensors, established in 1999 and headquartered in St. Marys, Pennsylvania, is a manufacturer and supplier of sensing technologies. Their diverse product portfolio includes temperature sensors like RTDs, thermocouples, and thermistors, serving applications in industrial automation, medical devices, and environmental monitoring. Furthermore, they offer a wide range of pressure sensors, such as absolute pressure, differential pressure, and vacuum sensors, utilized in industrial automation, medical devices, and automotive industries. They also provide an extensive array of air quality sensors, including CO2, VOC, and particulate sensors, serving applications in environmental monitoring, building automation, and healthcare sectors.
Bourns, Inc. is a family-owned company founded in 1947 and currently headquartered in Riverside, California. Bourns is a developer, manufacturer, and supplier of electronic components for several industries including automotive, industrial, instrumentation, medical, consumer, and portable electronics. Bourns operates in 4 market segments: automotive, circuit protection, power conversion, and sensing. The automotive segment produces sensors for almost every use in vehicles including steering, stability, fuel management, and temperature control. Power conversion segment products are used in renewable energy and automotive power. Sensing products are also used in heavy equipment, medical equipment, and welding equipment.
Sensata Technologies was originally founded in 1916 as General Plate Company and is now headquartered in Attleboro, Massachusetts. The company is a developer, manufacturer, and seller of sensors and sensor-rich solutions, electrical protection components, and other products used in automotive, industrial, energy, telecom, and construction industries. The company has 20 product categories including force sensors, tire management solutions, inverters & charges, and pressure sensors.The company’s next generation of products are designed to improve the efficiency of industrial pumps, fuel efficiency in ICE cars and energy efficiency in TVs, and facilitate usage of IoT devices.
Littelfuse founded in 1927, is an industrial manufacturing company empowering a sustainable, connected, and safer world, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The company's product portfolio includes the solutions for both individual and entire systems, as a global manufacturer of technologies in circuit protection, power control, and sensing. Across more than 20 countries, and with approximately 18,000 global associates, partner with customers to design and deliver advanced solutions. Serving over 100,000 end customers, their products are found in industrial, transportation, and electronics end markets.
Banner Engineering Corporation, established in 1966 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial automation products. They offer an extensive range of sensors, including proximity sensors, photoelectric sensors, and limit switches, for detecting object presence, position, and speed. Additionally, Banner provides a different types of switches, such as pushbuttons, toggle switches, and rotary switches, to control electricity flow and offer system feedback. Their wide array of controls includes PLCs, HMIs, and motion controllers, enabling automation of industrial processes.
Molex was founded in 1938 with the invention of Molex in 1938 and today is headquartered in Lisle, Illinois, and a subsidiary of Koch Industries. In the 1950s, the company invented the Molex connector which became the standard for power connections in personal computers for decades. Today the company is a manufacturer of electronic and fiber optic connectivity systems for customers in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, healthcare, manufacturing, and telecom infrastructure. The company has several product categories including Connectors, Optical Solutions, Capillary Tubing & Micro Components, and Automation.
Nice North America LLC, established in 1995 and based in Carlsbad, California, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of digital connectivity solutions. The company's product range includes switchers, splitters, extenders, scalers, converters, and adapters. These products are used for integrating, extending, and distributing audio/video and computer systems. It primarily serves the computers and electronics manufacturing, retail, corporate, venues, and Government and Education industries. The company's services include AV signal distribution, digital signage, video matrix, AV over IP, and HDMI distribution.
Hitachi High Tech was established in April 1947 and operates in 26 countries with products and services ranging from semiconductor manufacturing equipment and Medical and Biosystems to Analytical Systems and Manufacturing related equipment and solutions. A unique state-of-the-art technology company with two functions as a manufacturer and a trading company with the motto of "Tackling social issues," the Hitachi High-Tech Group aspires to be a company that pursues not only economic value, such as revenue and profit, but also provides social and environmental value by contributing to resolving social issues through its business activities, including products and services. They also provide one-stop services, such as evaluations and analysis at a global level.
Panasonic Corporation of North America is a global sustainable technology solutions provider established in 1918 by Konosuke Matsushita. The company was established on the philosophy that "business is ultimately for the betterment of our society". The company offers electronic components and devices that support Electric Vehicle charging applications. Panasonic also offers a total suite of digital and automation technologies to the manufacturing sector including electronics assembly equipment and advanced robotics for industrial automation. The company has technology solutions for education, entertainment, media, and sports as well as energy and utilities.
ADEC Technologies AG, established in 1983 and headquartered in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, is a manufacturer of traffic detectors and systems. The company's core products include traffic sensors to count traffic, vehicle speed, and length, as well as solar-powered backup systems and moving vehicle detectors. These products are used by architects, engineers, and system integrators worldwide, mostly those related to infrastructure projects or industrial installations for managing traffic. The company also offers an online platform to integrate client services so that they can be accessed anywhere, anytime.
Turck was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany. The company is a global manufacturer of automation machinery used in the automotive, energy, chemical, food, and packaging industries among others. The company’s products integrate the concept of Industry 4.0 technologies such as RFID, IO-link, and ethernet to assist factory and material handling equipment in communicating with other equipment and providing data for operators to improve efficiency and safety while decreasing waste. These products include sensors, industrial controls, industrial wireless and vision devices, and interface devices.
Rheinmetall Defence, established in 1889 and headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier of defense and security products and systems. The company's product range includes land systems, air systems, naval systems, cybersecurity solutions, and simulation and training. Serving global militaries, security forces, NATO, and the United Nations, its services include comprehensive defense solutions. Devoted to quality and responsibility, the company is certified with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015. With over 28,000 employees listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, its hard work is reflected in its aim to provide quality products and uphold environmental standards.
HORIBA RADIO LABORATORY was established in Japan in 1945 and has spent the last three-quarters of a century growing as an R&D company and engaged in international operations. HORIBA Scientific offers 200 years of experience developing high-performance scientific instruments and analytical solutions. The HORIBA Group of worldwide companies provides an extensive array of instruments and systems for applications ranging from automotive R&D, process and environmental monitoring, in-vitro medical diagnostics, semiconductor manufacturing, and metrology to a broad range of scientific R&D and QC measurements. Operating in Asia, Europe, and North and South America, HORIBA scientific develops solutions that go beyond just products.
Transtron Inc. is a manufacturer of control units and in-vehicle information systems headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and established in 1990 as a joint venture between Fujitsu Limited and Isuzu Motors Limited. The company’s products are used for controlling vehicle functions, logging performance data, and supporting in-vehicle features such as navigation or safety diagnostics. It also offers vehicle networking systems that can connect vehicles either with each other or external networks, and sensors that can detect vehicle height or acceleration. The company serves clients in the industrial, transportation, and automotive sectors.
Valeo is a French manufacturer of automotive systems and parts founded in 1923 and headquartered in Paris. The company produces powertrain, electric, and electronic systems that provide efficiency and safety capabilities for vehicles, as well as lighting, wiper, and driving assistance software solutions. Their products are chiefly utilized by clients in the automotive, mobility, and aftermarket sectors. Valeo maintains a network of production sites, sales offices, and R&D facilities in 29 countries across five continents.
Kyosan Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd., established in 1917, is a manufacturer of railway signals and traffic control systems based in Yokohama, Japan. It has three product categories, namely railway signals, traffic control systems, and safeguards. Its railway signals are automatic train control and signal security devices. Its traffic control systems are traffic sensors and signal units. It also manufactures safeguards for passenger transfer areas, like falling detection devices. The company is the parent company of Kyosan Group and acquired ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications. Its manufactured products are utilized for the transportation sector across Japan, Taiwan, and Beijing.
Renesas Electronics Corporation was established in 2002 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Renesas is a global research, design, and manufacturer of semiconductors used in industries spanning automotive, consumer electronics, the internet of things, power & energy, and industrial sectors. Renesas manufactures both analog and digital products. Analog products include amplifiers, audio & video devices, data converters, PLC, and switches & multiplexers. Digital products include microcontrollers, memory components, sensors, wireless connectivity products, and others. Renesas also offers design resources such as kits, development tools, partner programs, and design tools.
OPTEX CO., LTD., established in 1979 and based in Shiga, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of sensors and IoT technologies. The company's product portfolio includes access control systems, environmental sensors, IoT devices, people counting systems, and intruder detection sensors and systems. These systems have applications in various industries, including the security industry, environmental monitoring, parking facilities, water quality monitoring, and others. The company is ISO 9001 Quality Management System (QMS) and ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) certified.
Dataspeed Inc., founded in 2008 and based in Michigan, United States, is a manufacturer of a range of systems enabling autonomous driving. The company specifically makes complete hardware and software systems that allow control of vehicles. It also produces kinetic autonomy starter kits, autonomous sensors and mounting, power solutions and services, and sensor calibration tools. Its systems for autonomous driving include brake, throttle, steer, and shift-by-wire controller modules with 12-channel intelligent power distribution systems. Its work is used by startups, Fortune 500 companies, researchers, and universities across the globe.
Smart Parking Limited, headquartered in Birmingham, United Kingdom, is a manufacturer of a large array of systems for parking vehicles. The company creates automatic number plate recognition camera systems, compliance management systems, information-gathering web-based service platforms, and vehicle detection sensors. It also designs pay and walk machines and online reporting and car park management tools. Its automatic number plate recognition camera systems protect against abuse from vehicles that overstay the maximum stay time or by non-customers taking up valuable parking bays. It serves various industries such as hospitals and medical centers, hotels, councils and local authorities, and residential.
Texas Instruments Incorporated was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Texas Instruments is a producer of high tech equipment for industrial, automotive, personal electronics, communications equipment industries. Texas Instruments designs, manufactures, and sells semiconductors to electronics designers and manufacturers in the United States and internationally. Texas Instruments operates in two segments: analog and embedded processing. The Analog segment offers power products, including battery-management solutions, DC/DC switching regulators, power switches, linear regulators, voltage references, and lighting products. The Embedded Processing segment offers microcontrollers that are used in fields such as electronic equipment and digital signal processors for mathematical computations.
Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Atsugi, Japan, is a manufacturer of various semiconductor products and electric/electronic equipment, as well as other related businesses. Its range of products includes image sensors, microdisplays, board computers, and laser diodes used in several industries, such as logistics, manufacturing, security, agriculture, and transportation. The company conforms to the IATF 16949 standard and ISO 9001 and has 33 bases in 13 countries worldwide. It has received several awards, including the National Invention Award, Okochi Award, US Walter Kosonocky Award, and Manufacturing Japan Grand Award.
PotlatchDeltic, founded in 1903 and headquartered in Spokane, Washington, is a manufacturer of lumber. The company provides an extensive and diverse product range, which includes Great Lake studs, Western lumber, Southern lumber, and plywood. It is involved in the production and sale of lumber, panels, and particleboard, and it also generates income from land sales, mineral rights, and recreation leases. These products have crucial applications in various sectors, including furniture construction, joinery, and carpentry, roofing and flooring, as well as interior and exterior wall sheathing.
ST Micro Electronics is a global semiconductor company serving customers with innovations to have a positive impact on people's lives. Their product line is micro electronic systems, such as switches, controllers, sensors and drivers. The main selling point of ST Micro Electronics is its provision of sustainable products, and introducing their electronics to create a more sustainable world. The company, as well as providing the electronic devices, also provides software and support, ensuring that all fields are covered to provide a fully provide a supported and strong relationship with their customer base. ST Micro Electronics believe that technology plays a key role in helping to solve environmental and social challenges, which is why their semiconductor technologies start with their employees, their customers and partners.
Hella GmbH & Co., founded in 1899 and based in Lippstadt, Germany, is a manufacturer of lighting and electronic components and systems for vehicle manufacturers and other suppliers. Its products include sensors, interior lighting, headlamps, actuators, and cockpit electronics. In 1984, its annual sales went over one million deutschmarks for the first time. In 2022, it joined Faurecia to form FORVIA, and together, the two are the world’s seventh-largest automotive supplier. The aftermarket segment caters to garages and the independent aftermarket, while the special applications segment provides products to other groups like boat builders and energy suppliers.
i-PRO Co., Ltd., established in Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of advanced video surveillance and security solutions founded in 2019. The company specializes in manufacturing and supplying a range of security products and services which includes IP cameras, network video recorders (NVRs), video management software, and AI-based analytics tools, among others. It caters to industries such as commercial, industrial, and government sectors and its surveillance solutions are instrumental in enhancing security, monitoring, and analytics capabilities in different environments, helping organizations and authorities safeguard assets, people, and properties.
ParkHelp Technologies was established in 2004 and is a distributor and supplier of parking guidance technology products and solutions based in West Hollywood, California, United States. The company offers products related to the parking guidance and management such as ultrasonic sensors, LPR cameras, digital guidance signs, dual loop car counters, and parking management software. The products and services have been applied in various industries such as corporate campus, shopping malls, medical centers, universities, and commercial uses. The company has experienced of working in various projects globally, such as Veldhoven parking garage, Prahran square, Shopping Bento Goncalves, Z-towers, and LA Metro.
Frotcom International, established in 1997 and located in Carnaxide, Portugal, is a supplier of intelligent vehicle tracking and fleet management solutions. The company provides complete GPS vehicle tracking software and custom fleet management solutions. Its complete GPS vehicle tracking software entails GPS vehicle and asset tracking, driver management, and security features. For the custom solutions, it would tell customers which features are usually chosen by clients with similar fleet activity, fleet size, and geography. It serves various industries such as road transportation, distribution, field services, waste collection and recycling, and passenger land transport.
Sensor Partners BV, founded in 2014 and located in Drunen, Netherlands, is a specialized supplier of sensors and thermal imaging cameras. The company's product portfolio includes photoelectric sensors, ultrasonic sensors, gas finders, fixed thermal cameras, and infrared temperature sensors. These products are used in various sectors, including agricultural engineering, the assembly industry, automotive, material handling, and plastic recycling. The company also provides services including training and education services. The company's brand partners include Microsonic, Seek Thermal, Sensor Partners, Vision Partners, and other brands.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | 3M |
6.3%
|
2 | BEA Americas |
5.4%
|
3 | Bourns, Inc |
5.4%
|
4 | Kyosan Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd. |
4.9%
|
5 | Sensata Technologies, Inc. |
4.5%
|
6 | IPS Group, Inc. |
4.2%
|
7 | Red Wing Brands of America, Inc. |
4.2%
|
8 | Amphenol Thermometrics, Inc. |
4.0%
|
9 | Pepperl+Fuchs Inc. |
4.0%
|
10 | Banner Engineering Corporation |
3.6%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the vehicle sensor page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 14 | 46.7% |
Japan | 5 | 16.7% |
Germany | 4 | 13.3% |
Switzerland | 1 | 3.3% |
France | 1 | 3.3% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 3.3% |
Australia | 1 | 3.3% |
China | 1 | 3.3% |
Portugal | 1 | 3.3% |
Netherlands | 1 | 3.3% |
10 products are listed.
Hosoda Co., Ltd.
60+ people viewing
■ Main characteristics -The vehicle mat sensor consists of a vehicle mat sensor, sensor cover salt bispaca and detection unit. ・ Mainly detecting a...
OPTEX CO., LTD.
40+ people viewing
It is a full air management system that uses a wireless vehicle detection sensor. You can inform the traffic guiders that you do not rely on the ae...
Hosoda Co., Ltd.
50+ people viewing
■ Main characteristics -The vehicle mat sensor is composed of a vehicle mat sensor, sensor cover and PVC spacer. ・ Mainly detect and report the veh...
OPTEX CO., LTD.
50+ people viewing
It is a vehicle detection sensor that prevents encounters when participating from factories and parking lots. Recognize the detection order of two ...
BEAJAPAN Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
The LZR-H800 is a vehicle detection sensor for the delivery warning and parking gate gate. Since the loop coil is buried or the sensor is unnecessa...
OPTEX CO., LTD.
50+ people viewing
It is a passing detection sensor that prevents encounters when participating from factories and parking lots. The microwave is radiated to a vehicl...
OPTEX CO., LTD.
30+ people viewing
It is a vehicle detection sensor that prevents encounters when participating from factories and parking lots. Recognize the vehicle moving toward t...
BEAJAPAN Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
It is a vehicle count sensor that achieves a high recognition rate by dual technology between microwaves and infrared rays. ■ Characteristics ・ O...
Telemark Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
It is a specially developed product for the purpose of detecting vehicles such as cars using electromagnetic induction loop sensor technology. The ...
OPTEX CO., LTD.
40+ people viewing
It is a passing detection sensor for the dating warning system that prevents the encounter when participating from the factory or parking lot. The ...