GENEVA, Switzerland, Apr 28, 2026 – STMicroelectronics has introduced two global-shutter image sensors for devices that need always-on vision without heavy battery drain. The VD55G4 (monochrome) sensor and VD65G4 (RGB) sensor use detect-and-wake operation for wearables, AR/VR and XR headsets, smart appliances, IoT devices, and medical products.
The sensors are part of the ST BrightSense portfolio and are available to adopters. They are designed for devices that operate on batteries or harvested energy.
The VD55G4 and VD65G4 sensors combine a global-shutter optical format with interfaces for low-power microcontrollers and systems on chips (SoCs). The design targets compact products with tight limits on power, size, and cost. The detect-and-wake architecture monitors a scene for changes. It activates the main processor only when required, shifting image capture from continuous streaming to event-driven operation.
“Always‑on vision is becoming essential for the next generation of personal electronics, from smart glasses and AR/VR headsets to intelligent home appliances and medical devices. With VD55G4 and VD65G4, we are bringing this capability to smaller, lighter products that must run for a long time on a tiny battery. These new sensors help our customers create more intuitive and responsive experiences, extend battery life, and bring embedded vision and edge AI into everyday devices,” said Alexandre Balmefrezol, executive vice president and general manager of the Imaging sub-group at STMicroelectronics.
From Wearables and AR/VR to Smart Appliances
The sensors can consume up to 10x less power than conventional global-shutter sensors. The lower power draw supports all-day operation, longer battery life, and embedded vision systems powered by small batteries or energy harvesting.
The VD65G4 adds a color option to the ST BrightSense family. The sensors also support faster response for interactive use cases and connectivity to low-power microcontrollers.
In wearables, the sensors support glance detection, presence sensing, and contextual alerts. They are designed for compact hardware and microcontroller-based platforms.
In AR/VR and XR headsets, the sensors support tracking and spatial awareness. Their low-power operation helps reduce energy use in devices constrained by battery size and weight.
In smart home appliances, IoT devices, and medical products, the sensors support visual processing. This can reduce cloud dependence and standby power use.
Manufacturing and Design Resources
VD55G4 and VD65G4 are produced on 300 mm wafers using a 3D-stacked 65 nm/40 nm architecture. ST manufactures them using an in-house process at its Crolles plant.
ST is also preparing companion tools and resources for design teams. These include:
- Development boards for platforms such as STM32 and Raspberry Pi
- Turnkey camera modules
- Evaluation software
- Platform drivers
- A software development kit for embedded vision projects
The public resources will support prototyping and deployment of vision systems using the new sensors. Together, the sensors and development tools give engineers a lower-power path for adding embedded vision to connected devices.
Source: STMicroelectronics
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics (ST) is a semiconductor company founded in 1987. It designs and manufactures microcontrollers, sensors, power devices and other analog and mixed-signal components. The company operates as an integrated device manufacturer with in-house production that supports large-volume supply for global markets. Its customers include automotive, industrial, consumer electronics and communications equipment manufacturers. ST also works with technology partners to develop components used in mobility systems, energy and power management equipment and connected devices. The company reports ongoing efforts to reduce emissions across its operations and increase the share of renewable electricity in its manufacturing sites, with a goal to reach full renewable sourcing by 2027. ST is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It serves more than 200,000 customers worldwide and employs about 50,000 people. Its technologies support applications that require efficient power conversion, sensing, processing and connectivity. The company expands its portfolio to support automotive, industrial, consumer and connected system applications through integrated design and manufacturing.