ON Semiconductor Poised to Supply Radar and mmWave Chips for Growing VRU Sensing Market

ON Semiconductor positions itself at the centre of a fast‑moving shift toward radar and millimetre‑wave sensing for vulnerable road user (VRU) protection, industry sources say. Automakers and infrastructure planners are integrating RF sensing into advanced driver‑assistance systems (ADAS) and smart‑road projects to detect pedestrians and cyclists in low light, adverse weather and occluded conditions where cameras and lidar can struggle. As a major supplier of semiconductor components used in sensing, signal processing and power management, ON Semiconductor stands to provide the chips that underpin these radar and mmWave modules as they move from trials to production.

The company’s relevance grows as vehicle manufacturers and tier‑one suppliers adopt RF platforms that require compact, energy‑efficient analog and mixed‑signal ICs, a market where ON has established volume manufacturing and systems‑level support. Industry momentum toward embedded RF sensing creates recurring hardware and software upgrade cycles, and ON’s manufacturing scale and component breadth make it a candidate for multi‑tier supply relationships with OEMs and ADAS integrators. Analysts note that suppliers who can combine component supply with systems integration support are more likely to be selected for long‑term production programs.

Wider deployment also puts a premium on interoperability and standardisation, which affects suppliers’ product roadmaps and validation efforts. RF sensing must be robust in crowded urban environments and easily integrated into OEM telematics and safety stacks; that pushes semiconductor partners toward modular, upgradeable designs. For ON Semiconductor, success hinges on meeting automotive reliability standards, aligning with ADAS software ecosystems and coordinating with radar and module makers as cities and fleets pilot smart‑road applications.

VisionWave’s recent live demonstration in Italy of SaverOne’s VRU RF sensing platform underscores the technology’s readiness for real‑world conditions, showing detection through occlusions and in heavy traffic while providing timely alerts for drivers. The test, conducted before a leading global commercial vehicle maker, is cited by industry observers as an example of how radar‑based sensing is moving from lab to field trials with OEM engagement.

Market consultants estimate the VRU detection segment, covering radar and mmWave RF sensing, at about $2 billion in 2024 and growing at double‑digit rates to roughly $2.7–3.0 billion by 2026. The expansion into the early 2030s is expected to be driven by tighter vehicle safety rules, rising urban traffic and investments by automakers, fleet operators and city planners in safer roads.