STMicroelectronics Announces Ultra-Low-Power CMOS Image Sensors for Next-Generation Personal Electronic Devices
STMicroelectronics announces ultra-low-power CMOS image sensors VD55G4 and VD65G4 with global shutter for wearables, AR/VR, and smart devices. These sensors enable always-on, high-quality imaging systems for small, battery-powered devices, expanding the ST BrightSense lineup.
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- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 02:00
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STMicroelectronics expands its ST BrightSense lineup with VD55G4 and VD65G4, compact and ultra-low-power, microcontroller-compatible CMOS image sensors for wearable devices, AR/VR, and smart devices.
New CMOS image sensors with global shutter capable of reducing power consumption by up to a tenth at 10 frames/second operation with 800 x 700 resolution.
STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor manufacturer providing semiconductors for a wide range of electronic devices, announced ultra-low-power, next-generation CMOS image sensors with global shutters, enabling high-quality, always-on imaging systems for compact devices powered by batteries or ambient energy harvesting. The "VD55G4" (IR monochrome) and "VD65G4" (RGB color), added to the ST BrightSense family, are already being supplied to key customers and will contribute to the development of next-generation smart, ultra-low-power imaging systems.
Designed for next-generation personal electronic and smart devices, these new sensors are suitable for applications such as wearable devices, AR/VR and XR headsets, smart home appliances, and medical devices. Both products are designed to provide rich visual context and AI-processable data in devices with strict constraints on power consumption, size, and cost. They combine an ultra-low-power architecture that activates upon detection with a compact global shutter optical format and an optimized interface for low-power microcontrollers (MCUs) and low-cost systems-on-chip (SoCs).
Alexandre Balmefrezol, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Imaging Subgroup at ST, commented: "Always-on vision functionality is becoming an indispensable element for next-generation personal electronic devices, from smart glasses and AR/VR headsets to smart home appliances and medical devices. Through VD55G4 and VD65G4, ST is bringing this capability to small and lightweight products that require long operational periods with small batteries. These new sensors enable customers to create intuitive and highly responsive experiences, extend battery life, and integrate vision and edge AI capabilities into devices used in daily life."
From Wearable Devices and AR/VR to Smart Home Appliances
The VD55G4 and VD65G4 provide always-on vision functionality for devices that are small, lightweight, and demand strict power efficiency. These additions to the ST BrightSense family include color options, fast response for interactive use cases, and easy connectivity with low-power microcontrollers. This allows vision functionality to be easily added even in designs with space and cost constraints.
In wearable devices, they support ultra-compact designs and operate directly on microcontroller-based platforms, enabling functions such as eye-tracking, presence detection, and context-aware alerts, providing constant awareness of the surroundings.
In AR/VR and similar headsets, the combination of low power consumption and high-quality image acquisition enables accurate tracking and spatial awareness, contributing to extended battery life without compromising comfort.
In smart home appliances, IoT devices, and medical devices, more processing can be performed on the device itself, reducing reliance on the cloud and standby power. Both compact and power-efficient products are also ideal for imaging systems powered by solar energy or energy harvesting.
Ultra-Low Power Design Reducing Power Consumption by Up to a Tenth
Thanks to optimized sensor architecture and dedicated modes, the VD55G4 and VD65G4 can suppress power consumption by up to a tenth compared to conventional global shutter sensors. Both products can monitor changes in their surroundings and activate the main processor only when necessary, transitioning from an always-streaming method to event-driven operation. This enables all-day functionality, extended battery life, and the realization of practical imaging systems operating with small batteries or energy harvesting.
Both ultra-compact products with built-in image processing functions simplify design and reduce system costs, while providing responsive, AI-ready vision functions in various edge devices.
New CMOS image sensors with global shutter capable of reducing power consumption by up to a tenth at 10 frames/second operation with 800 x 700 resolution.
STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor manufacturer providing semiconductors for a wide range of electronic devices, announced ultra-low-power, next-generation CMOS image sensors with global shutters, enabling high-quality, always-on imaging systems for compact devices powered by batteries or ambient energy harvesting. The "VD55G4" (IR monochrome) and "VD65G4" (RGB color), added to the ST BrightSense family, are already being supplied to key customers and will contribute to the development of next-generation smart, ultra-low-power imaging systems.
Designed for next-generation personal electronic and smart devices, these new sensors are suitable for applications such as wearable devices, AR/VR and XR headsets, smart home appliances, and medical devices. Both products are designed to provide rich visual context and AI-processable data in devices with strict constraints on power consumption, size, and cost. They combine an ultra-low-power architecture that activates upon detection with a compact global shutter optical format and an optimized interface for low-power microcontrollers (MCUs) and low-cost systems-on-chip (SoCs).
Alexandre Balmefrezol, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Imaging Subgroup at ST, commented: "Always-on vision functionality is becoming an indispensable element for next-generation personal electronic devices, from smart glasses and AR/VR headsets to smart home appliances and medical devices. Through VD55G4 and VD65G4, ST is bringing this capability to small and lightweight products that require long operational periods with small batteries. These new sensors enable customers to create intuitive and highly responsive experiences, extend battery life, and integrate vision and edge AI capabilities into devices used in daily life."
From Wearable Devices and AR/VR to Smart Home Appliances
The VD55G4 and VD65G4 provide always-on vision functionality for devices that are small, lightweight, and demand strict power efficiency. These additions to the ST BrightSense family include color options, fast response for interactive use cases, and easy connectivity with low-power microcontrollers. This allows vision functionality to be easily added even in designs with space and cost constraints.
In wearable devices, they support ultra-compact designs and operate directly on microcontroller-based platforms, enabling functions such as eye-tracking, presence detection, and context-aware alerts, providing constant awareness of the surroundings.
In AR/VR and similar headsets, the combination of low power consumption and high-quality image acquisition enables accurate tracking and spatial awareness, contributing to extended battery life without compromising comfort.
In smart home appliances, IoT devices, and medical devices, more processing can be performed on the device itself, reducing reliance on the cloud and standby power. Both compact and power-efficient products are also ideal for imaging systems powered by solar energy or energy harvesting.
Ultra-Low Power Design Reducing Power Consumption by Up to a Tenth
Thanks to optimized sensor architecture and dedicated modes, the VD55G4 and VD65G4 can suppress power consumption by up to a tenth compared to conventional global shutter sensors. Both products can monitor changes in their surroundings and activate the main processor only when necessary, transitioning from an always-streaming method to event-driven operation. This enables all-day functionality, extended battery life, and the realization of practical imaging systems operating with small batteries or energy harvesting.
Both ultra-compact products with built-in image processing functions simplify design and reduce system costs, while providing responsive, AI-ready vision functions in various edge devices.