The global automotive market is evolving rapidly with the expansion of product portfolios, entry of new players, advanced system offerings, and advances in technology. The mindset and buying criteria of the consumers are changing rapidly, thereby changing the dynamics of the global automotive industry. The consumers are becoming more aware and informative, and are seeking various aspects, such as comfort, technology, and safety in an automobile.

Temperature sensors are widely used in powertrain applications and climate control functions in the automotive industry. The use of sensors in the powertrain allowed the rapid electrification of mechanical components such as the development of automatic transmission in passenger cars. As a result, the automotive industry is progressively witnessing the adoption of temperature sensors. In addition, the growth in the automobile market will be the main driver for the growth of the global temperature sensors market. The drive for the autonomous vehicle has increased the use of automotive sensors in the vehicle. This will be a crucial driver for the adoption of the temperature sensors in the automotive segment.

Automotive sunroofs may be fixed, vent, or sliding roofs that allow light and fresh air to enter the vehicle and also protects against the sun and wind. They can be operated manually or can be driven by motors. They are available in different sizes, shapes, and styles.The first company to come up with sunroof as a standard fitment was Nash Motors Company in 1937. In the subsequent decades, sunroofs became a premium feature among the ultra-luxury vehicles. During the 1990s, sunroofs gradually made way into premium and mid-segment cars as the large-scale investments by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and component manufacturers made it relatively affordable. Currently, many companies are coming up with sunroofs as a standard fitment, which can be operated manually or electronically. While manual sunroofs use levers for the sliding motion, electronically operated sunroofs use motor-driven cables. Most sunroofs that are currently available are electronically driven. Sunroof systems can be factory installed or can be installed aftermarket.

The automatic soft-close door is a door locking mechanism in automobiles. These systems help enable the door to be closed gently rather than banging it with significant force. In this system, the sensor mounted near the latch detects the door within half an inch and actuates a motor that pulls the door to a complete shut position. The system releases the door to prevent any injuries if the sensors detect an obstruction between the door and the latch. The different components of the system include working gear, support cantilever, electric drive, door position sensor, control unit, and a cable. This feature is crucial in terms of from safety and convenience as it ensures that the vehicle doors are shut and prevents injury to passengers that occur in the case of accidental unlatching of doors.

Mechanical keys used in vehicles have given way to high-end innovative electronic entry systems using integrated circuits that imply electromagnetic signals to lock or unlock the door. An RKE system allows vehicle entry without the need for a mechanical key, offering security and convenience. RKE systems were introduced in early 1985 in the luxury vehicle segment and gained popularity among mid-segment vehicles by 1990. Although this system took time to be adopted by end consumers, they have gained considerable traction over the years. By the mid-2000s RKE evolved into a technology that allowed drivers to lock and unlock vehicle doors with no effort, using high frequency radio signals emitted from a keyless fob, which communicates with the vehicle without the driver’s intervention. This made it possible for a driver walking toward his parked vehicle to unlock the doors just by moving within a specific range of the vehicle. This was called the passive keyless entry (PKE) system. In terms of volume sales, RKE systems dominate the automotive market as they are cheaper than PKE systems. On average, PKE systems cost $90-$150 in the aftermarket, which is five times the cost of RKE systems, priced an average of $20-$25. Although a small percentage of vehicles continue to use mechanical key systems, this is expected to reduce during the forecast period as keyless entry systems become cheaper and adoption rates increase.

A wiper system is an electromechanical component placed on the windshield of automobiles. It is used to enhance the visibility of the windshield by wiping off unwanted sand, dust, and water particles caused by harsh weather conditions such as dust storms, rain, and snow. Rain sensors are used in wiper units of vehicles for automatic wiping. Rain sensing windshield wiper technology is based on the principle of total internal reflection (TIR). The amount of light returning to the sensor depends on the amount of water on the windshield. During a downpour, the amount of light returning to the sensor decreases, thus switching on the wipers automatically; the speed is adjusted according to the heaviness of the rain.

Radar sensors (also known as headway sensors) are a key component of advanced driver assistance systems (ADASs). These sensors are employed to constantly sense (in real-time) the distance between vehicles or between the vehicle and large objects around it, thereby improving driving efficiency and safety. Automotive radar systems are usually employed in ADASs, including

A sensor is a device that detects changes in its immediate environment by picking stimulus changes and updates the system electronically. Sensors are engineered to detect chemical, physical, and process changes. A sensor sends out electronic signals, which are measured and recorded, and based on the information a corrective change is executed. There are many types of automotive sensors, such as pressure sensors, wheel speed sensors, temperature sensors, fluid level sensors, and emission sensors.

Premium audio systems deliver high-performance sound experience using a number of speakers, woofers, and other components. Automotive premium audio systems are those with surround sound, eight or more speakers, and power amplification of 400 watts and more, which offer a theater-like sound experience within the vehicle. These high-performance systems are usually part of the in-vehicle entertainment systems in luxury sedans, SUVs, and vans.

A power tailgate system is a device that aids the opening and closing a car’s tailgate or boot lid automatically. The tailgate can be opened and closed by pressing a button in the dashboard, using a remote controller, or through gestures, which are tracked by sensors placed beneath the rear bumper. The system consists of mechatronic components that are enclosed in a power assembly comprising electric latches, component carriers, and closures for opening and closing of the tailgate.