Federica Laricchia
Research expert covering the global consumer technology industry
Whether you want to navigate around a city or explore the countryside, you know you will not get lost with modern navigation devices and services – a new reality far away from outdated paper maps. Navigation devices rely on satellite connectivity, a market that has fluctuated in recent years. The global navigation satellite system (GNSS) market includes component and receiver manufacturers like Broadcom and Qualcomm; device vendors like Apple and Fitbit, as well as service and content providers like Google and Microsoft.
GNSS devices to grow in the coming years
The installed base of GNSS devices worldwide is forecast to rise in the near future, counting over ten billion devices by 2031. The Asia-Pacific region that leads the way, with predictions suggesting this is set to grow to almost two billion devices in 2031. GPS tracking devices are still popular among consumers and yet, with the advent of smartphones and wearables, navigational systems and services are now often integrated into one device – eliminating the need for separate navigational devices. Furthermore, consumers who want to go on adventures where there is no service can easily stay in touch by using satellite phones, the market size of which is forecast to reach around 238 million U.S. dollars in 2023.Connected cars offer navigation services
In addition to the consumer elements of the global navigation industry, agriculture, maritime, and rail also form parts of the market, as does the automotive segment. The rise of connected cars has seen a dramatic development in the complexity of navigational services being utilized within vehicles: vehicles that are becoming more intelligent and more automated. Such programs and services are designed to assist the driver – more than just by providing simple directional guidance – helping to avoid car crashes and congestion, as well as reduce road transport-related carbon dioxide emissions. As connected car services become more familiar and widespread, greater scrutiny will be placed on the accuracy and performance of satellite navigation solutions.
