Automated test equipment market to be US$23.76 billion by 2033:FMI

The automated test equipment (ATE) market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.8% between 2023 and 2033. As a result, the market is expected to cross a market share of US$23.76 billion by 2033, valued at US$9.33 billion in 2023. These insights are based on a report on the automated test equipment market by Future Market Insights (FMI).

"The demand for cost and time-reducing elements in the market is expected to play a vital role in the growth of the automated test equipment market. Advanced machinery that works on high-speed networks and is autonomous is also adopting faster testing measures such as automated test equipment. The growth is attributed to the expanding component markets like cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning," says FMI in its report.

"The growth of new connected devices along with higher penetration of 5G networks are fuelling people to adopt IoT services. Advanced device manufacturing units functioning with high-end research have flourished in the automated test equipment market. Lower cost and time-saving prospects delivered by these ATE units are helping the manufacturing units. The expanding automotive industry fuels the demand for vehicle testing systems that automate machinery systems. The growth of healthcare wearables has also fuelled the demand for ATE units as it freshly trends in the market."

Hence, according to FMI, the driving factors in the market's growth are as follows.

The flourishing growth of industrial spaces with the implementation of IoT and 5G deployments are collectively fuelling the demand for automated test equipment.

Automotive companies are also fuelling test equipment sales as it saves time and cuts costs for the production interval.

Government authorities, ensuring the quality of the connected devices while promoting local innovation, are thriving the demand for automated test equipment.

The craze for healthcare wearables, such as smartwatches or other gadgets that function on high network bandwidth, is expanding the automated test equipment market size.

From photomask defects to advanced memory ICs, automated test equipment's wide range of testing fuels its growth while ensuring the device's operability.

The proliferating demand for semiconductors triggered by higher penetration of smartphones and devices is also another factor responsible for the steady market growth.

The growing market for portable devices and module parts is another factor that fuels the inline test equipment market. It also pushes the space for unique products in automated test equipment. For instance, the long-life test socket for USB and C-type modules gains traction for overall market growth.

FMI researchers, in their report, also provided country-wise insights for the automated test equipment market. 

"In the US, the increased demand for connected devices along with the increasing sales of electric vehicles are propelling the market growth. There, the market is flourishing at a significant CAGR between 2023 and 2033. The US is expected to dominate the North American automated test equipment market, attributed to the higher penetration of 5G and IoT devices. The corporate structure adopting IoT devices and enclosed testing systems is fuelling the sales of automated test equipment. The energy-efficient integrated circuits are adopting automated testing systems that further support the 5G connections. Hence, the United States automated test equipment market is expanding. The research and development initiatives along with government investments are flourishing the demand for automated testing equipment," says FMI. 

On the question, what makes China a leading automated test equipment market, FMI says, "Being the hub of manufacturing units along with the advent of connected devices are propelling the market growth in China."

"The Asia Pacific is the hub for semiconductor production with Taiwan, China, and India growing the factory applications. Furthermore, the complex structure of advanced semiconductors and connected devices is fuelling the adoption of automated test equipment. The flexibility and efficiency of the advanced systems that go through the testing routine are fuelling the demand for high-processing semiconductors. The widespread deployment of 5G connection in China along with the penetration of IoT in the corporate structure is thriving the demand for the equipment."

"The future of the China-based innovative technology market looks promising with cloud computing, AI, ML, and the internet of things expanding their space on the technological front. Thus, the automated test equipment market is anticipated to expand in the region."

Regarding the European market, FMI says, "Expanding smart healthcare wearables along with the demand for semiconductors is boosting the regional growth. With the rising class of European citizens and increased per capita income in Europe, the demand for smart wearables and other IoT devices is on the surge. The growth of smart glasses, headphones, and watches is on top, while the smartphone manufacturing units demand semiconductor units. These factors collectively fuel the growth of automated test equipment. Along with semiconductors, there is a high consumption of sensors, PCBs, and various other equipment. These devices go through different layers of testing. Hence, higher sales of automated test equipment are predicted for the Europe region."

On the segment-wise growth, FMI notes, "The linear and discrete segment leads in the type of category with a leading anticipated value of US$2.5 billion by 2032. The increased application of IoT systems along with the rising demand for various test features in any product type has fuelled the system. These features involve the identification of unknown devices, information dissemination, and condition loop testing. The advanced characteristics including the temperature-related defects through a linear type of testing also advance the testing measures."

By application, the ICT segment thrived at a steady CAGR, while it held a value of 25% of the global market in 2022. The growth is attributed to higher penetration of the computing devices and manufacturing units to cut production time, as testing takes much time. In addition, the ATE systems provide a synchronized production element that reduces cost and time for the build-up process.

Notably, FMI says, "The global automated test equipment market is highly fragmented, where players are advancing their systems. They are providing personalized solutions such as end-user-based testing solutions with research and development programs to enhance its performance. The vendors also try to make the products easy to use, so they can be operated with ease."

"Some latest market developments include Start Technologies adding the mixed-signal test system, power device test system, high-parallelism parametric tester, and modular automatic test equipment with high throughput and accuracy, 3D ICs packaging testing capability, and high parallel parametric and reliability test. In addition, Chroma ATE has also introduced its power electronics test solution, electric vehicle test solutions, and battery test and automation solution for wider end-user applications," concludes FMI in its report.