SmartSens SmartGS™-2 Plus Series CMOS Image Sensors Empower Intelligent Robot Vision Systems

With continuous advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sensor technologies, the robotics industry has entered a rapid development phase. Intelligent robots are expanding their application domains and functions, playing an important role in various fields of people’s daily lives.

Intelligent robots need to interact continuously with the real world while working. Clear, accurate, efficient, and stable visual perception is crucial during this interaction. The CMOS image sensors act as "electronic eyes", enabling intelligent robots to perform obstacle avoidance and localization.

As a technologically advanced CMOS image sensor supplier, SmartSens has developed SC038HGS (0.3MP), SC133HGS (1.3MP), and SC233HGS (2.3MP) based on its SmartGS™-2 Plus technology platform. These sensors feature multiple performance advantages including high sensitivity, high dynamic range (HDR), and high frame rate. The three sensors’ exceptional imaging quality fully meets the diverse needs for obstacle recognition and 3D positioning across intelligent robots, thereby helping robots better sense their surroundings and interact accurately with the real world.

Main Features

• SmartGS™-2 Plus technology

In industrial applications, intelligent robots often require rapid movement operations, where efficient and accurate mobile vision capabilities are crucial. SC038HGS, SC133HGS, and SC233HGS are all built on SmartSens' advanced SmartGS™-2 Plus technology platform. As Global Shutter image sensors, all three sensors effectively supress geometric distortion and motion artifacts, enabling high-precision imaging at high speed. Consequently, during real-world operation, they can ensure intelligent robots capture high-definition, distortion-free images of moving objects. This capability facilitates efficient real-time image capture while significantly improving robots’ accuracy in environmental perception and enhancing the efficiency of obstacle avoidance and positioning recognition.

• High Sensitivity

To reduce low-light conditions’ impacts on the operational efficiency and perceptual accuracy of robotic visual obstacle avoidance and positioning, SC038HGS, SC133HGS, and SC233HGS feature dual ultra-high sensitivity in both visible and near-infrared (NIR) wavelength, effectively empowering robots to capture high-definition images regardless of ambient brightness. Incorporating a large 3μm pixel size, all three sensors achieve up to 90% peak quantum efficiency (QE) in the visible light wavelength along with high sensitivity in the NIR wavelength. For example, SC038HGS achieves a peak QE of 20.3% at the 940nm wavelength, fully meeting the demands of NIR-based visual perception. This capability allows intelligent robots to achieve precise obstacle avoidance, positioning, and recognition in dim and even completely dark environments.

• High Dynamic Range (HDR)

To resolve image defect caused by complex lighting—such as overexposure or crushed shadows—which impair robotic visual perception, SC133HGS and SC233HGS incorporate single-frame knee point HDR technology. With HDR dynamic ranges reaching 93dB and 92.65dB respectively, these sensors capture images with balanced brightness and clarity in high-contrast environments. This technology minimizes overexposure and shadow detail loss, providing intelligent robots with precise visual information for robotic operations.

• High PLS and Frame Rate

In strong illumination, motion blur can easily occur during the recognition of moving objects. SC038HGS, SC133HGS, and SC233HGS leverage ultra-high parasitic light sensitivity (PLS >40,000) to effectively minimize lens flare artifacts when capturing moving objects in bright environments for various robot types. Furthermore, SC038HGS, SC133HGS, and SC233HGS support an ultra-high frame rate of up to 120fps. The high frame rate enables deployment of these three sensors in next-gen robotic vision modules for upgraded applications with ultra-low-latency AI recognition capabilities.

• Color/Mono Version Options and Multi-Specifications

Beyond the mainstream Mono version for robotic vision applications, SC038HGS, SC133HGS, and SC233HGS support color variants to address diverse operational scenarios. With multiple resolution options — SC038HGS (0.3MP), SC133HGS (1.3MP), and SC233HGS (2.3MP) — these models providing high-performance, cost-effective solutions for end customers. Furthermore, the SmartGS™-2 Plus Series has large optical format sensors: SC535HGS (5MP) and SC935HGS (9MP). Engineered for high-resolution imaging with superior performance, these solutions meet rigorous imaging demands in industrial inspection systems and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) .

For more information or to request a sample, please contact SmartSens Sales Representatives: cs@smartsenstech.com

About SmartSens Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

SmartSens Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (SSE STAR MARKET: 688213) is a high-performance CMOS image sensor (CIS) chip design company. It is headquartered in Shanghai and has research centers in many cities around the world. SmartSens has been dedicated to pushing forward the frontier of imaging technology and growing in popularity among customers since it was established. SmartSens’ CMOS image sensors provide advanced imaging solutions for a broad range of areas such as surveillance, machine vision, automotive and cellphone cameras. SmartSens is committed to continuous innovation of products and fueling growth in numerous industries by delivering a more comprehensive portfolio of image sensors. Learn more at SmartSensTech.com.