Taiwanese firm Altek Corp. recently selected OmniVision Technology’s (OVTI) AutoVision image sensors for its Eagle View 360-degree surround viewer and lane departure warning system.
The automotive-qualified Eagle View protection system will include a number of AutoVision sensors providing 360-degree visibility of the area surrounding the vehicle. The images will be processed and synthesized to generate lane departure warnings. Drivers can also switch to rear view camera mode when reversing the vehicle.
OmniVision’s AutoVision solutions include a very broad selection of sensors, evaluation kits and development platforms that enable faster time-to-market and significantly lower system costs for both display-based and machine vision applications. The CMOS technology plays a key role in lowering material costs. Analysts see sensors based on CMOS technology growing by nearly 4X the volume of CCD-based sensors by 2012.
The safety-related applications segment for the automotive market should continue to register high growth. Although the recession had an adverse impact on the growth of the automotive market, the signs of recovery are already evident.
Moreover, third-party market research firm Techno Systems Research foresees the percentage of integrated vehicle cameras using CMOS sensors to increase from around 20% in 2008 to more than 70% in 2013. Therefore, the image sensor market for should benefit from under-penetration and growth in the automotive segment.
While demand for 360-degree visibility from the driver’s seat in all new buses, trucks and cars is on the rise, there is a growing market for other applications as well. These include safety applications for detecting pedestrians, objects and signs, motion detection security applications for vehicles, occupant sensing, parking assistance, accident video capture, smart airbags, rain sensors and dimming headlights.
Design wins in the auto market are particularly encouraging for OmniVision as the market is characterized by long life cycles. Once a product has been designed, it is likely to generate revenue for a few years. The newer, higher-end VGA sensors are an added bonus as they will have a positive influence on both ASPs and margins.
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