OMNIVISION’s Latest Sensor Raises the Bar for In-Cabin Vision Systems
As driver monitoring systems (DMS) become mandatory in new vehicles across Europe by 2026, the automotive industry is seeking imaging solutions that balance performance, size, and cost. OMNIVISION, a semiconductor company known for digital imaging and display solutions, has announced a new global shutter image sensor designed specifically for in-cabin monitoring: the OX01N1B.
This 1.5-megapixel sensor is built on OMNIVISION’s Nyxel® near-infrared (NIR) technology platform and supports both RGB-IR and monochrome formats. It features a 2.2-micron pixel size and a 1/4.51-inch optical format, allowing for extremely compact camera modules—a key consideration for integration in increasingly space-constrained vehicle interiors.
Performance Designed for Real-World Automotive Use
The OX01N1B addresses one of the core challenges of DMS: ensuring reliable image capture in a range of lighting conditions. With a 36% quantum efficiency in the NIR spectrum, the sensor maintains image quality even in low-light scenarios, such as nighttime driving or dim cabin environments. It also includes a high modulation transfer function (MTF), which contributes to sharper image resolution and better object distinction—critical for tracking eye movement and driver attention.
Unlike rolling shutter sensors, the OX01N1B uses OmniPixel®4-GS technology to capture motion across the entire frame simultaneously. This global shutter approach helps eliminate image distortion during rapid head movements or quick transitions—something that’s vital for real-time driver behavior analysis.
Integration and Design Flexibility
A notable improvement over its predecessor, the OX01H1B, is that the new OX01N1B offers the same pixel and optical array size while reducing the chip footprint. This compatibility allows automotive designers to reuse existing optical paths and mechanical designs, streamlining integration. The sensor now also incorporates on-chip image signal processing (ISP), which simplifies system architecture and reduces the need for additional external components.
The OX01N1B is packaged using OMNIVISION’s a-CSP™ format, allowing higher performance in tighter spaces. It is also available in reconstructed wafer form for use in custom camera modules. The sensor includes built-in cybersecurity and supports Automotive Safety Integrity Level B (ASIL-B), aligning with current industry safety standards.
Industry Collaboration and Applications
Smart Eye, a company known for its AI-based in-cabin monitoring systems, has already integrated the OX01N1B into its new All-In-One AI ONE camera. According to CEO Martin Krantz, the compact format and performance capabilities of the sensor were essential to achieving a fully integrated driver monitoring solution that combines camera, sensor, and processing in a single unit.
Availability
Samples of the OX01N1B are available now, with mass production slated for Q3 2026. OMNIVISION is showcasing the technology at Auto Shanghai from April 23 to May 2, 2025.
Learn More: OMNIVISION Launches 1.5-Megapixel Global Shutter Sensor for Automotive Driver Monitoring Systems
