Force sensors market to reach $1.8 billion by 2027

Apple popularized force sensors in smartphones and laptops, but applications for the sensing device are seen to expand to wearables and car electronics.

The force sensors market might seem a big quiet today after getting a boost from Apple's iPhone, but it is still growing. A new report from IDTechEx Research projects the force sensor market will be worth $1.8 billion by 2027.

Force sensors have been used for decades, but their visibility grew once Apple introduced 3D Touch in the iPhone. This allowed users to get extra functionality out of a more forceful touch than a normal tap, such as bringing up additional shortcuts when pressing hard on an app icon. Huawei actually beat Apple to market with a touchscreen using force sensors, but few other companies decided to use the technology in smartphones. Google decided to mimic the shortcut functionality on the Pixel with a long press.

Force sensors are being used in other ways, though. Apple now uses force sensors for its MacBook trackpads. This generates haptic feedback that makes it feel like the mouse is clicking though it is actually a solid piece of glass that does not move.

Since 3D Touch largely has not been seen as a revolutionary iPhone feature, few companies have been tempted to copy it. However, the proliferation of computers and screens presents new opportunities for the force sensor market. Wearables and cars are perhaps the most obvious example.

The smartwatch market is growing slowly, but this could mean more opportunities for force sensors in the future as manufacturers look for new ways of differentiating their products. Screens in cars are also becoming more common now that consumers want to link up their smartphones to their vehicles to listen to music and get GPS directions. To help avoid distracted driving, companies are looking for ways to simplify these screens so basic functionality is not buried in the menus. Force sensors could help with this.