Detailed Insight into Smart Thermal Cameras
In the realm of technological innovation, smart thermal cameras have been making significant strides, particularly in the year 2021 and beyond. These devices, which function much like common cameras but use infrared radiation to create images, have found a multitude of applications, from firefighting to transportation.
In June, Teledyne FLIR LLC launched the FLIR A500F and A700 ruggedized thermal cameras, designed for high-temperature detection in challenging environments. These cameras offer enhanced analysis capabilities, including spot, area, line, polygon, and polyline analysis for better object identification and area definition.
Meanwhile, Opgal Optronic Industry limited introduced the EyeCGAS Mini, an Optical Glass Imaging camera paired with an uncooled thermal camera, in April. Weighing just 600 grams (1.3 pounds) and boasting a battery life of more than five hours, the EyeCGAS Mini is based on Android and allows for easy upgrades to the latest technology.
In the same month, Flar Systems introduced the radiometric version of the Boson thermal imaging camera module, offering resolutions of 640 x 512 and 320 x 256, multiple lens configurations, and the ability to capture temperature data. The Boson camera's core features the Accuracy software, allowing users to set emissivity and thermal gain before operation, accounting for dynamic ambient temperatures.
Thermal cameras have proven their worth in adverse conditions such as heavy rain, fog, and extreme temperatures. They have also been instrumental in assisting firefighters in finding injured people through heavy smoke and finding fire sources. In addition, they have been utilised for rapid body temperature screening and efficient epidemic prevention and quarantine control.
The Boson thermal imaging camera module also provides inspection and assessment features, including spot meters and windows that track temperature measurements, and atmospheric correction capabilities when analysing post-processed data.
In January, Axis Communication AB launched the Axis Q8752-E, a bispectral PTZ camera integrated with a thermal camera, offering 3x zoom for reliable detection and verification in any lighting conditions. The Axis Q8752-E proactive surveillance system includes motion guard, fence guard, and loitering guard features, and features Lightfinder 2.0 and Forensic WDR for improved performance in challenging lighting conditions.
Thermal cameras have a variety of pixel configurations, ranging from 80 × 60 to 1280 × 1024 pixels or more. The thermal cameras' ability to measure temperature and display exact temperature information makes them indispensable in many industries.
Looking ahead, the latest product launches in the smart thermal camera industry in 2025 highlight advancements primarily in drone-mounted thermal cameras, wireless smartphone-compatible devices, AI-integrated imaging sensors, and AI-enabled camera platforms.
The DJI Mavic 3T Thermal Drone, for instance, combines a 640×512 30 Hz thermal sensor, a 4K visible camera, and a telephoto zoom camera in a compact, foldable drone weighing under 1 kg. It streams split-screen thermal and optical video with smooth tracking of moving subjects, has about 40 minutes of flight time, and supports software features like isotherm palettes, temperature alarms, and geo-tagged imagery for evidence.
Raythink Wireless Thermal Camera, launched in July 2025, features 30-meter image transmission and AI-based super-resolution to enhance infrared detection on smartphones, signalling a trend toward wireless and mobile-compatible thermal imaging solutions.
Raytron’s AI-driven Thermal Imaging Sensors introduced ultra-miniaturized detectors featuring proprietary Super Wafer-Level Packaging, enabling cost-effective integration, especially for consumer electronics and automotive safety. Their products integrate AI-powered algorithms to provide intelligent early warnings for applications like forest fire detection, security threat identification in darkness or bad weather, and automatic emergency braking (AEB).
Lantronix and Teledyne FLIR Integration announced AI-enabled camera solutions integrating Lantronix's Open-Q System-on-Module hardware/software with Teledyne FLIR’s thermal IR modules and Prism embedded software. Targeted at autonomous drones, robotics, and surveillance, this solution emphasizes AI-driven situational awareness, computational imaging, and real-time decision-making with optimized size, weight, and power.
These launches reflect market trends highlighting portability, AI enhancement, multi-sensor integration, wireless connectivity, and deployment in drones and smartphones, pushing smart thermal cameras into more autonomous, accessible, and intelligent applications.
The global smart thermal camera market is expected to grow at an approximately 8.2% CAGR over the forecast period 2021-2027, reflecting the growing demand for these versatile and indispensable devices.
- The Raythink Wireless Thermal Camera, launched in July 2025, is a testament to the trend in smartphone-compatible devices, as it features 30-meter image transmission and AI-based super-resolution to enhance infrared detection on smartphones.
- In the global smart thermal camera market, data-and-cloud-computing technologies are increasingly being integrated, such as in the collaboration between Lantronix and Teledyne FLIR, where AI-enabled camera solutions are being developed for autonomous drones, robotics, and surveillance.
