The advanced imaging solutions provider OMNIVISION introduces two major product expansions aimed at enhancing both automotive safety and machine vision technologies. The company brings the new OX12A10 12-megapixel (MP) image sensor for automotive cameras and a series of back-side illuminated (BSI) global shutter (GS) image sensors for machine vision applications. These groundbreaking developments are poised to significantly improve driver assistance systems and industrial automation processes.
OX12A10 is the latest addition to OMNIVISION’s TheiaCel product family designed to address the growing need for higher resolution and better low-light performance in automotive cameras. As automotive safety technology advances, the demand for sensors capable of capturing high-quality images in various challenging environments has increased. The OX12A10 is engineered to meet these needs, offering 12MP resolution, industry-leading low-light capabilities, and LED flicker mitigation (LFM) technology. This makes it ideal for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD) applications, where accuracy and reliability in detecting obstacles, signs, and other elements are critical for safety.
According to Dr. Paul Wu, head of automotive product marketing at OMNIVISION, the OX12A10 sensor incorporates all of the most essential features in a compact package, making it a game-changer for automotive imaging. “OMNIVISION sensing solutions provide increased driving safety and autonomy, and our new OX12A10 brings all of the most important features together into a single device, including high resolution, excellent low-light performance, LED flicker mitigation, small size, power efficiency, and best-in-class high-temperature performance,” said Dr. Wu. The 12MP sensor is the highest resolution model in the TheiaCel™ family, following the success of the 5MP OX05D10 and 8MP OX08D10 models, which are designed for mainstream passenger vehicles.
One of the key advancements of the OX12A10 is its lateral overflow integration capacitors (LOFIC) and DCG™ high dynamic range (HDR) technology, which work together to eliminate LED flicker across all lighting conditions. This feature is especially important for automotive safety, as LED flicker can cause issues in ADAS and AD systems that rely on accurate image capture for decision-making. With its ability to handle varying light environments and deliver clearer images, the OX12A10 ensures a higher level of safety by providing reliable data for vehicle perception systems.
In addition to its automotive sensor, OMNIVISION also expanded its machine vision portfolio with three new BSI global shutter (GS) image sensors. These sensors are designed for industrial applications such as robotics, automation, barcode scanning, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). The new sensors—OG02C10/1B (2MP), OG03A10/1B (3MP), and OG05C10/1B (5MP)—are equipped with OMNIVISION’s PureCel®Plus-S stacked-die architecture, which allows for thinner modules, superior light absorption, and enhanced angular response, preventing color shading and delivering high-quality images in fast-paced environments.
Kelly Yan, staff marketing manager at OMNIVISION, emphasized the importance of the new sensors in addressing the growing demands of machine vision systems. “OMNIVISION is the leader in high-performance BSI GS sensors for the machine vision industry with a product portfolio that features 3.45 µm and 2.2 µm pixel solutions with resolutions ranging from 2- to 9-megapixel (MP),” Yan said. “Our patented technologies enable us to deliver higher image quality and better performance in a compact design to improve high-speed image capture, with higher SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) and improved accuracy.”
These new sensors also feature Nyxel near-infrared (NIR) technology, enhancing performance in low-light environments by capturing brighter images at wavelengths between 700-1050nm. With this innovation, OMNIVISION’s sensors are capable of capturing images from longer distances even in difficult lighting conditions, making them ideal for applications like surveillance, security, and industrial automation where precise, clear imaging is essential.
The OX12A10 sensor for automotive applications is currently available for sampling and is expected to enter mass production by Q3 2025. Meanwhile, the new machine vision sensors are already in production, with the OG03A10/1B (3MP) and OG05C10/1B (5MP) models available for immediate deployment, while the OG02C10/1B (2MP) sensor is set to be available for sampling in early 2025.
OMNIVISION’s simultaneous focus on enhancing both automotive and industrial imaging solutions reflects its commitment to innovation and technological leadership. As the company continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in imaging technology, its latest products stand as a testament to its dedication to improving both safety and operational efficiency across multiple sectors.
