Sony Corporation has announced two new image sensors with AI processing functionality, the 12.3MP 1/2.3-type Sony IMX500 and Sony IMX501.
Left: IMX500 Right: IMX501
According to Sony, the new sensors feature a stacked configuration consisting of a pixel chip and logic chip. The latter is equipped with AI image analysis and processing functionality. The signals acquired by the pixel chip is processed via AI on the sensor, which eliminates the need for high-performance processors or external memory.
Compared to conventional sensors that need to upload the data to the cloud for AI processing, Sony’s Intelligent Vision Sensors do all the ISP processing, image analysis, and AI processing on the logic chip itself. The result is an offline image processing that is faster than conventional sensors, has low-latency, comes with privacy protection, and consumes less power.
Sony’s new AI-equipped sensors are designed for use in retail and industrial equipment industries. Applications can include object detection, surveillance, heat mapping of store visitors, inventory monitoring.
Sony has already shipped samples of the IMX500 in April for JPY 10,000 each, while samples of the Sony IMX501 will ship in June for JPY 20,000.