With the growing demand for vehicle-mounted thermal cameras, choosing the right one can be challenging. Evaluating quality, identifying suitable applications, and finding the best option within your budget are all important factors to consider. In this article, we have listed the top 10 vehicle-mounted thermal camera manufacturers in China, allowing you to compare each supplier and select the one that best fits your specific needs.
An Overview of Vehicle-Mounted Thermal Camera
The vehicle-mounted thermal camera market has developed significantly over the past decades, originating in military and law enforcement applications where they provided essential nighttime and low-visibility imaging. Early thermal cameras were expensive and limited in application, but technological advances have gradually reduced costs and improved functionality, making them accessible across various industries.
Today, vehicle-mounted thermal cameras are widely utilized in smart driving and autonomous vehicles, where they enhance safety by detecting pedestrians, animals, and obstacles in low-light or adverse weather conditions. This makes them invaluable for improving driver and passenger safety, especially in night-time and challenging environments. In security and surveillance, thermal cameras provide constant monitoring capabilities for border control, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure protection, allowing for the detection of intruders or other unauthorized activities. Additionally, in emergency response, thermal cameras aid in locating heat sources and navigating through smoke and poor visibility, making them vital tools in rescue operations.
Top 10 China Vehicle-mounted Thermal Camera Manufacturers
| Positie | Bedrijfsnaam | Opgericht Jaar | Locatie | Employees |
| 1 | SHENZHEN VISIONSAFETYS TECHNOLOGY CO, LTD | 2010 | Shenzhen | 200+ |
| 2 | Stonkam Co., Ltd | 2003 | Guangzhou | 300+ |
| 3 | Shenzhen Yuweixin Electronic Co., Ltd | 2011 | Shenzhen | 50+ |
| 4 | Xinfrared | 2014 | Hangzhou | 100+ |
| 5 | Argus Information Technology Co., Ltd. | 2008 | Shanghai | 150+ |
| 6 | WUHAN GLOBAL SENSOR TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. | 2013 | Wuhan | 120+ |
| 7 | Hangzhou Chenquan Tech Co., Ltd | 2015 | Hangzhou | 80+ |
| 8 | MH Technology Group | 2007 | Shenzhen | 250+ |
| 9 | Shenzhen Deeya Technology Co., Ltd | 2012 | Shenzhen | 90+ |
| 10 | Shenzhen Yuxunion Electronics Technology Co., Ltd | 2009 | Shenzhen | 75+ |
1. SHENZHEN VISIONSAFETYS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
VST was founded in 2007 in Shenzhen, focusing on vehicle safety technology, particularly in thermal imaging for driver assistance. Their main products are vehicle-mounted thermal cameras, and night vision systems. This company offers high-resolution, wide-angle cameras with strong shock resistance, designed for reliable performance in harsh driving environments.
Market Positioning: Targets the mid-range and high-range vehicle safety market, catering to both private and commercial vehicle sectors, and pursues to provide cost-effective solutions.
Established in 2003, Stonkam has over 20 years of experience in vehicle monitoring and safety technology. Their main products are thermal night vision cameras, vehicle monitoring, and safety systems. This company is known for low-light imaging, high durability, and intelligent video analysis capabilities, suitable for complex driving conditions.
Market Positioning: A leading provider in the global automotive safety and smart driving systems market.
3. Shenzhen Yuweixin Electronic Co., Ltd
Founded in 2011, specializes in cost-effective electronic safety devices with an expanding international presence. Their main products are thermal cameras and infrared imaging modules.
This company provides cost-effective models that provide adequate imaging quality for various application environments, including surveillance and commercial vehicles.
Market Positioning: Positioned in the mid-range market, delivering high-value thermal imaging solutions for general use.
Established in 2014, Xinfrared is an innovative thermal imaging company pushing the boundaries of high-tech imaging products. Their main products are portable thermal cameras and vehicle-mounted thermal imaging systems. This company provides high sensitivity, high resolution, and long-range detection, ideal for advanced driving and security applications.
Market Positioning: Serves the high-end market, focusing on smart driving and advanced imaging technology for autonomous and high-performance applications.
5. Argus Information Technology Co., Ltd
Founded in 2008, providing a wide range of imaging solutions for industrial, security, and automotive markets. Their main products are industrial and vehicle-mounted thermal cameras with AI capabilities. This company integrates edge computing and AI analysis, offering sophisticated image processing for real-time applications.
Market Positioning: Positioned as a high-end supplier in the industrial and security sectors, providing premium imaging solutions.
6. WUHAN GLOBAL SENSOR TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
Established in 2013, specializes in infrared thermal sensors and imaging modules. Their main products are infrared sensor modules and vehicle-mounted thermal imaging systems. This company provides self-developed sensors with excellent thermal sensitivity, catering to high-precision requirements.
Market Positioning: Targets both domestic and international markets, providing core components for thermal imaging systems.
7. Hangzhou Chenquan Tech Co., Ltd
Founded in 2015, focused on infrared imaging technology for industrial applications, including vehicle-mounted systems. Their main products are vehicle-mounted thermal cameras and industrial thermal imaging solutions. This company offers precise temperature detection for challenging environments, emphasizing durability and reliability.
Market Positioning: Primarily serves the industrial and commercial markets, with a focus on long-lasting performance.
Established in 2007, known for developing intelligent imaging solutions with a global client base. Their main products are vehicle-mounted thermal cameras and security imaging solutions. This company Integrates 5G and AI for rapid image processing, enhancing adaptability for smart city and traffic management applications.
Market Positioning: Focuses on smart city and traffic management, offering high-tech solutions for urban safety and surveillance.
9. Shenzhen Dianyang Technology Co., Ltd
Founded in 2013, a Chinese government authorized National High-Tech Enterprise, specialzed in manufacture and supply infrared thermal imaging products including handheld thermal cameras, benchtop PCBA thermal cameras, smartphone thermal cameras, NDT test equipment, thermal night vision, thermal riflescope and thermal weapon sights, etc. This company balances cost and quality, providing reliable imaging in a compact, user-friendly design.
Market Positioning: Serves the mass market, offering affordable thermal imaging solutions for general applications.
10. Shenzhen Yuxunion Electronics Technology Co., Ltd
Founded in 2009, a high-tech company specializing in security and surveillance, serving domestic and international clients. Their main products are vehicle-mounted monitoring systems and thermal imaging devices. This company provides High-resolution night vision with integrated AI capabilities for enhanced surveillance functionality.
Market Positioning: Targets the security and surveillance markets, focusing on high-quality imaging and AI-driven security solutions.
Future Trends of Vehicle-Mounted Thermal Camera
The future growth of the vehicle-mounted thermal camera market overseas is strong, bolstered by increasing investments in autonomous vehicle technology, urban security systems, and emergency response improvements. As smart city initiatives expand and self-driving vehicles become more mainstream, demand for advanced thermal imaging will grow. Innovations in AI and machine learning are expected to further improve detection capabilities, enabling thermal cameras to integrate seamlessly with other vehicle sensors. With a growing emphasis on public safety and technological resilience, the overseas market for vehicle-mounted thermal cameras is set for substantial expansion across various industries and regions.
Applications and Use Cases of Vehicle-Mounted Thermal Cameras
Law Enforcement and Surveillance
Used in border security, public safety monitoring, and crowd control at large events, helping to identify suspicious activities in darkness and enhancing night-time law enforcement efficiency.
Search and Rescue
Supports firefighting and disaster response by locating trapped individuals and detecting hot spots, ideal for search and rescue in low-visibility or night-time environments.
Industrial and Commercial Applications
Applied in equipment inspection, power line monitoring, and infrastructure maintenance, detecting overheating, faults, or structural issues to ensure operational safety.
Enhancing Nighttime Driving Safety
Detects obstacles while driving at night, preventing collisions, and provides critical data for autonomous driving and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), enhancing safety in low-visibility conditions.
How to Evaluate The Vehicle-Mounted Thermal Camera Quality?
Resolution and Image Quality
Higher resolutions (e.g., 640×480 pixels) capture more detail, allowing you to see smaller objects and finer temperature differences. For vehicle-mounted applications, a high-resolution camera is essential for detecting distant objects or small temperature variations.
The FOV determines how much area the camera can cover. A wider FOV may be better for surveillance, while a narrower FOV is ideal for long-range detection. Evaluate whether the camera’s FOV matches your application needs.
Thermal Sensitivity (NETD)
This measures the smallest temperature difference a camera can detect. A lower NETD (e.g., <50 mK) means higher sensitivity, allowing the camera to capture subtle temperature variations. High thermal sensitivity is crucial for applications like search and rescue, where detecting minor heat differences can make a significant impact.
Frame Rate
This refers to how many frames per second the camera captures. A higher frame rate (e.g., 30Hz or 60Hz) is better for capturing fast-moving objects, making it important for applications like driving or surveillance. Lower frame rates may be adequate for static applications, such as industrial inspection.
Temperature Range
Consider the temperature range the camera can detect. For industrial applications, you may need a camera that can withstand and accurately measure very high temperatures, while for human detection in security applications, a lower temperature range may be sufficient.
A high-quality thermal camera should provide accurate temperature readings within the specified range. Check the manufacturer’s accuracy specifications, typically given as ±°C, to ensure it meets your standards.
Image Processing and Enhancement Features
Advanced cameras may offer AI-based object detection, tracking, and classification. These features can enhance the effectiveness of applications like autonomous driving and surveillance.
Many thermal cameras offer multiple color palettes (e.g., grayscale, rainbow, ironbow) that help in interpreting temperature data more effectively. Choose a camera that allows you to customize color palettes to suit different scenarios.
Durability and Environmental Ratings
For vehicle-mounted or outdoor applications, check for cameras with high durability, and capable of withstanding harsh conditions like extreme temperatures, dust, water, and vibrations.
Look for Ingress Protection (IP) ratings (e.g., IP67 for dust and water resistance) and MIL-STD certifications if you need a military-grade thermal camera. These ratings indicate a camera’s ability to withstand specific environmental conditions.
Calibration and Accuracy
High-quality thermal cameras are usually factory-calibrated for accurate temperature readings. Some cameras offer on-site or user calibration to maintain accuracy over time.
Thermal drift can affect temperature readings, especially during prolonged use. A quality thermal camera should demonstrate stability and minimal drift in varying environmental conditions.
Manufacturer Support and Warranty
High-quality thermal cameras are often supported by strong customer service, including training, technical support, and troubleshooting assistance.
Check if the manufacturer offers a robust warranty and repair or maintenance services, which can be crucial for long-term use and reliability.
Conclusie
Choosing the right vehicle-mounted thermal camera manufacturer involves evaluating technical capabilities, application-specific solutions, integration with advanced technologies, industry reputation, after-sales support, cost-effectiveness, and compliance. A careful assessment of these factors will help ensure you select a manufacturer that delivers high-quality products suited to your unique requirements. If you still have any doubts, you can also refer to this article: Why Need a Thermal Imager Vehicle Mounted Camera? or Warmly welcome to contact VST experts now.
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