The market is now moving beyond traditional test and measurement applications. Electrification, robotics, automated production, and tight measurement requirements are putting torque sensing closer to the point where machines make decisions.
According to Persistence Market Research, the global torque sensors market size is predicted to be valued at US$4.5 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach US$7.9 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 8.6% between 2026 and 2033. Market expansion is anticipated to be driven by increasing automation deployment across manufacturing sectors, electric vehicle powertrain testing requirements, and the adoption of advanced robotics, which demands multi-axis force feedback capabilities.
EV Powertrains Are Raising Demand for Precision Torque Measurement
Electric vehicles are changing the role of torque measurement in automotive engineering. Electric motors deliver torque differently from conventional engines. Hence, engineers need accurate measurements to assess motor output, efficiency, vibration, and durability. The level of this shift is already visible.
- The International Energy Agency reported that global electric car sales exceeded 20 million in 2025, up about 20% from 2024. Electric cars represented one in four new cars sold worldwide.
For torque sensor suppliers, this creates a direct business opportunity. Every new electric powertrain program requires testing across motors, gearboxes, drive units, and other rotating components. China is particularly important. The IEA reported that more than 13 million electric cars were sold in China in 2025, while electric vehicles represented almost 55% of the country’s car sales. This concentration is encouraging sensor suppliers to strengthen their presence across Asian automotive manufacturing and testing networks.
Safety Standards Are Boosting High-accuracy Torque Sensing
Torque sensing is important in electric power steering. The sensor detects the driver’s steering input and helps the control system determine how much assistance is required. Regulation is adding another layer of importance. UNECE maintains UN Regulation No. 79 for steering equipment, and proposals for further amendments were being considered in 2026.
This matters commercially because automotive suppliers cannot treat torque measurement as a simple add-on. Sensors used in safety-related systems must meet demanding requirements for accuracy, repeatability, and reliability.
Automation is Increasing the Need for Intelligent Torque Sensing
A robot can move an arm to a programmed position, but position alone does not tell the machine whether it has gripped an object correctly. Torque feedback fills that gap. In manufacturing, a robot assembling an electronic component may need to detect a small change in resistance before damaging the part. A similar principle applies to tightening, polishing, insertion, and material handling.
NIST has highlighted the role of force and torque measurements in collaborative robotics. Its research notes that torque measurements can be mapped to a robot’s movement and dynamic behavior, while accurate force sensing can help distinguish safe contact from potentially harmful impacts.
Miniaturization is Expanding Torque Sensing into New Industries
Researchers reported a force-and-torque sensor measuring about 1.7 millimeters, designed to measure forces and twisting motions in multiple directions using light. The development could support miniature robotic tools and medical devices where conventional sensors are too large.
The commercial implication is significant. Small sensors can fit closer to the point where force is applied. It can improve measurement quality and create applications that were previously difficult to serve.
Manufacturers Are Combining Multiple Measurements into One Device
In February 2026, Sensor Technology Ltd. launched the SGR523 digital rotary torque sensor, which combined torque measurement with an incremental angle encoder. The sensor delivered up to 10,000 pulses per revolution and supported applications such as automated assembly, mechanical testing, and process control.
The product combines torque and angular-position monitoring in one device. The move reflects a broad shift toward collecting multiple measurements from the same component rather than relying on separate instruments. For a factory, this approach can simplify equipment design. Instead of collecting torque data in isolation, engineers can compare torque with shaft angle and identify problems earlier in a process.
Aerospace is Raising Quality Expectations for Torque Sensors
Torque sensors have a key role in aerospace testing, where measurement errors can become expensive quality problems. For instance,
- In May 2026, HITEC Sensor Developments achieved AS9100D certification at its U.S. manufacturing facility in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
- The certification expanded the company’s aerospace and defense manufacturing capabilities as well as supported applications such as advanced aircraft and autonomous platforms.
The development shows why certification can influence sensor suppliers’ market opportunities. Aerospace customers need suppliers that can demonstrate controlled manufacturing and consistent quality. Certification can therefore support access to high-value applications rather than simply serve as a compliance exercise.
Reliable Calibration is Strengthening Confidence in Precision Measurement
A torque sensor is only useful when its measurement can be trusted. NIST has been developing the Electronic NIST Torque Realizer to improve torque calibration. Its second-generation system was designed to calibrate torque tools at 0.1% accuracy or better while directly using the revised SI measurement system.
This development highlights an important market issue, i.e., calibration is not separate from sensor value. For manufacturers, poor calibration can lead to incorrect assembly forces, failed components, unnecessary rework, and product recalls. For sensor suppliers, better calibration methods can strengthen confidence in high-precision applications.
Manufacturers Are Using Torque Data to Reduce Waste
Sustainability creates an indirect opportunity for torque sensor manufacturers. Factories are under pressure to understand how efficiently machines use energy and materials. NIST’s sustainable manufacturing work focuses on measuring energy, material efficiency, and environmental impacts across manufacturing processes.
Torque measurement can contribute to this effort by showing how mechanical systems are performing under different operating conditions. When engineers combine torque data with speed and power measurements, they can identify inefficient operating points and detect mechanical problems earlier. For industrial buyers, this makes sensor selection less about simply purchasing a measurement device. The value comes from how the data can help reduce waste, downtime, and unnecessary maintenance.
The Next Phase of Market Growth
The torque sensor market is moving toward a more integrated model. Automotive electrification is creating more motor and drivetrain testing requirements. Robotics is pushing sensors toward small and more sensitive designs. Aerospace applications are raising expectations for quality and traceability. Calibration and sustainability are making measurement accuracy more important across manufacturing.
The strongest opportunities are likely to come from suppliers that combine precision, compact design, digital connectivity, and application-specific engineering. The market’s next phase will not be defined simply by how many torque sensors are sold. It is projected to be influenced by where those sensors are placed, how much information they provide, and how that information helps machines operate more safely and efficiently.
