With the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G technology, the era of intelligent sensing and interconnection has arrived. Intelligent sensors serve as the front-end devices of intelligent perception. They possess bidirectional communication capabilities with external systems, allowing them to send measurement and status information, receive and process external commands. In short, smart sensors are system-level products that integrate sensing units, communication chips, microprocessors, driver programs, software algorithms, etc. They have functions such as information acquisition, processing, exchange, and storage.
The market size of intelligent sensors in China has grown from CNY 78.39 billion in 2019 to CNY 102.04 billion in 2021, with an estimated market size of CNY 119.18 billion in 2022. Currently, the intelligent sensor industry is still in its early stages of development. It is expected that there will be an explosive development period for intelligent sensor technology in the next six years, presenting an opportunity for the development of smart sensors in China. China can seize this time window to accelerate the development of the entire intelligent sensor industry chain, thereby making breakthroughs in key technologies that are vital to our country's development.
This article introduces 10 globally-oriented Chinese companies in the field of intelligent sensors, representing the innovation strength and global competitiveness of China's smart manufacturing industry.
1. Senba Sensing (Chinese: 森霸传感)
Senva Sensing, established in 2005, went public on the ChiNext board of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2017 (stock code: 300701). It is a professional sensor supplier that integrates research and development, manufacturing, sales, and services. The main products include pyroelectric infrared sensors, infrared flame sensors, infrared gas sensors, infrared non-contact temperature sensors, visible light sensors, and differential pressure sensors. These products are primarily used in smart homes, intelligent lighting, security monitoring, fire detection, industrial control, negative pressure ambulances, and field hospitals. In the future, the company will continue to expand the application fields of intelligent sensor products and strive to gain more customer resources.
2. GigaDevice (Chinese: 兆易创新)
GigaDevice Semiconductor Inc. (SSE Code: 603986) is a global leading fabless chip supplier. The company was established in April 2005 and is headquartered in Beijing, China. It has branch offices and representatives in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hefei, Xi'an, Chengdu, Suzhou, Hong Kong, as well as in various countries and regions including the United States, South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Singapore. Its marketing network covers the globe, providing customers with high-quality and convenient localized support services.
The company adheres to a diversified layout in terms of product line planning, downstream application expansion, and market regional development. It proactively identifies high-potential product directions, strategically establishes a leading advantage, and lays a solid foundation in terms of products and customer base. Based on this foundation, the company continuously explores new application areas, expanding from the consumer market to the industrial and automotive markets. It steadily progresses and achieves breakthroughs in terms of performance contribution, market share in component markets, and cooperation with key customers.
3. Beetech (Chinese: 必创科技)
Established in 2005, Beetech is headquartered in Beijing and listed on the Growth Enterprise Market in 2017 (stock code: 300667). It is a provider of intelligent sensor and optoelectronic instrument products, system solutions, and application services. The company focuses on advanced sensing technology and is committed to providing efficient and accurate data for industrial, urban management, and scientific research customers. In terms of technology, the company utilizes acquired optical and force sensing technologies to drive the development of new intelligent sensors towards wireless, miniaturization, embedding, and edge computing.
Based on the large and unified market in China and its comprehensive and efficient manufacturing supply chain, the company seizes industry trends such as "digitalization," "intelligence," and "domestic substitution," along with policy support. With a strategy of "continuously upgrading an innovative product matrix" and "deeply cultivating segmented markets," it forms a positive feedback mechanism between product development and market application, accelerating the scale application of downstream scenarios. Simultaneously, the company continuously improves operational efficiency internally to strengthen its overall competitive strength.
4. Cubic Sensor and Instrument (Chinese:四方光电)
Cubic Sensor and Instrument, listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board, is engaged in intelligent gas sensors and high-end gas analysis instruments. The company was founded in 2003 in Wuhan Optics Valley and has developed a gas sensing technology platform based on principles including optics (infrared, ultraviolet, light scattering, laser Raman), ultrasonics, MEMS metal oxide semiconductor (MOX), electrochemical, and ceramic thick film processes with high-temperature solid electrolytes. The company holds more than 140 domestic and international patents, and its products are widely used in fields such as air quality, environmental monitoring, industrial processes, safety monitoring, healthcare, and smart metering.
As a leading enterprise in China's gas sensor industry, Cubic has become a supporting supplier to many Fortune Global 500 companies and top companies in domestic and international segments, thanks to its long-term technological accumulation, rigorous quality system, and international vision. Currently, the company's products have been exported to more than 80 countries and regions, moving towards becoming an international brand in the sensor field.
5. HGTECH (Chinese: 华工科技)
HGTECH is a developer of laser equipment and optoelectronic devices. Its main products include laser punching machines, plasma cutting equipment, general-purpose laser hot stamping films, laser anti-counterfeit packaging materials, thermistor resistors, light source devices, and proton therapy equipment. With years of technological and product accumulation, the company has established a business pattern supported by laser processing technology in intelligent manufacturing equipment, optoelectronic and wireless connectivity supported by information and communication technology, and sensor business supported by sensitive electronic technology. The company's industrial base covers an area of nearly 2,000 acres.
In recent years, the company has actively explored the field of intelligent manufacturing, contributing to the transformation and upgrading of key sectors in the national economy such as machinery manufacturing, railway locomotives, automotive industry, consumer electronics, steel metallurgy, and communication networks. Its products have been exported to more than 80 countries and regions.
6. ZEMIC, Zhonghang Electronic Measuring Instruments Co., Ltd. (Chinese: 中航电测)
ZEMIC focuses on the field of "intelligent measurement and control" with technological and industrial synergies. Its business covers four major sectors: aviation military products, sensing control, intelligent transportation, and industrial software. It is a leading company in China that provides intelligent measurement and control products and system solutions for both military and civilian use. On August 27, 2010, the company successfully went public on the ChiNext board of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. With over 50 years of development, the company now has four subsidiaries, two overseas branches, four branch offices, and three divisions. It has formed a group enterprise that integrates multiple-parameter measurement, analysis, and control development with core technologies such as force, electricity, light, temperature, displacement, satellite positioning, and image recognition, providing services to global customers.
In the first half of 2022, the company further expanded the application areas of its sensing control business, maintaining rapid growth in industries such as consumer electronics and intelligent logistics. This effectively enhances the company's overall competitiveness and supports its overall development.
7. Hanwei (Chinese: 汉威科技)
Hanwei Technology Group Corporation Limited is a trusted innovative technology company and a well-known domestic manufacturer of gas sensors and instruments, as well as an IoT solution provider. It was one of the first companies listed on the ChiNext board. Starting from sensors, the company innovatively develops along the industrial chain, providing high-quality sensors and application solutions for industries such as industrial, home appliances, automotive, medical, and instrumentation. It closely integrates sensors, smart hardware, geographic information, cloud computing, big data, digital twins, and other next-generation information technologies to build the Hanwei Xiangyun (Chinese: 汉威祥云) IoT platform, establishing a complete IoT industrial ecosystem. With a customer-centric approach, the company provides comprehensive smart solutions for areas including city management, industrial safety, environmental protection, home security, and health, aiming to enhance customer value.
8. MEMSensing (Chinese: 敏芯股份)
Suzhou MEMSensing Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., founded in September 2007, is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the research and development of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors. The company's three main product lines consist of MEMS microphones, MEMS pressure sensors, and MEMS inertial sensors, which are applied in various fields including consumer electronics, medical devices, industrial control, and automotive electronics. In August 2020, the company successfully went public on the Shanghai Stock Exchange Sci-Tech Innovation Board (stock code: 688286), becoming the first listed company focused on MEMS chips in China. It is one of the few companies in China that possess the capability to design and manufacture MEMS chips across multiple categories. MEMSensing currently has four subsidiaries and serves as a pioneer in the research, development, and localization of the entire MEMS industry chain.
9. Guide Infrared (Chinese: 高德红外)
Wuhan Guide Infrared Co., Ltd., founded in 1999, is a privately listed company specialized in the research, development, and production of infrared detector chips, infrared thermal imaging products, integrated optoelectronic systems, and complete weapon systems. Guide Infrared Industrial Park is located in the "Optics Valley" of Wuhan, covering an area of over 200 acres and employing more than 4,000 staff members. It has established the world's only military-civilian dual-use product development base that covers the entire industry chain from core infrared devices to more than ten subsystems and complete weapon systems. As a high-tech company with infrared technology as its core, Guide Infrared possesses comprehensive and independent technologies from the bottom-level infrared core devices to integrated optoelectronic systems. It has built a complete industry chain research, development, and production system.
10. Goertek (Chinese: 歌尔股份)
Goertek was established in June 2001 and went public on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in May 2008. It is a globally positioned technology innovation company. Its main business involves the research, development, production, and sales of acoustic components, optoelectronic components, electronic accessories, and integrated electronic products. Its products are widely used in smart mobile terminal products such as smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, as well as smart home and automotive electronics. The company primarily provides hardware and software products and services to top global manufacturers in the 3C (Computer, Communication, and Consumer Electronics) industry. Its clients include Samsung, Sony, Microsoft, Huawei, Xiaomi, and others. Goertek is committed to becoming a world-class provider of comprehensive solutions for acoustic, wireless, and optical electronic products.
Goertek has established research and development centers worldwide, including in the United States, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Beijing, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Taiwan. With a focus on sound, light, and optoelectronics as its main technological directions, the company integrates cross-disciplinary technologies to provide systematic and integrated solutions.