Sony STARVIS Evolution 2020–2027: Progress & Forecast

Over the past five years, Sony’s STARVIS technology has transformed from a niche imaging innovation into a core standard for industrial vision, robotics, commercial security, and defense night vision. Today, Sony Starvis camera modules are found everywhere: from autonomous robots in Silicon Valley to smart city surveillance networks in Europe.

This blog reviews STARVIS progress from 2020–2024, highlights real-world applications in 2024, and projects where STARVIS2 and beyond will take the industry by 2026–2027. For engineers and product managers selecting cameras for industrial embedded vision, this is your go-to STARVIS technology explained guide.

STARVIS Progress 2020–2024 — Key Breakthroughs

Sony’s STARVIS technology was originally designed to enable ultra low-light performance in CMOS sensors. Unlike older CCDs, STARVIS achieves sensitivity in near-infrared ranges, making it ideal for applications like surveillance, robotics navigation, and covert military use.

Major milestones:

• 2020–2021: Release of the IMX415 vs IMX335 Starvis lineup (IMX415 for compact 4K, IMX335 for balance of resolution and cost).
• 2022: IMX462 ultra low light camera module gained popularity in smart city and robotics testing due to its outstanding near-infrared (NIR) sensitivity.
• 2023–2024: STARVIS2 was introduced, featuring IMX678, IMX675, IMX662, IMX585 — sensors with wider single-exposure dynamic range and better high-fps HDR tuned for motion.

This period also marked a shift from USB-only modules to hybrid solutions such as Starvis 2 IMX678 USB camera modules with HDMI and AI-ready processing, ideal for OEM Starvis camera solutions.

Applications of STARVIS CMOS in 2024

Industrial Vision & Robotics (Germany & US)

Automotive QA in Germany has increasingly adopted Sony Starvis USB cameras for automated defect detection in low-light factory floors. Meanwhile, in the US robotics sector, cobots and AMRs integrate compact embedded vision with Sony Starvis modules to improve navigation in warehouses with variable lighting.

Energy & Infrastructure Monitoring (Italy)

Oil and gas facilities in Southern Italy require ultra low-light cameras to monitor pipelines at night. The IMX462 and IMX678 STARVIS2 modules enable both wide dynamic range and NIR capability, reducing false alarms and maintenance costs.

Commercial & Smart City Security (Spain & Canada)

Barcelona and Toronto are deploying Starvis Sensor modules for traffic analytics, perimeter monitoring, and 4K public safety systems. Compared to legacy CCD solutions, STARVIS modules offer lower power consumption, better WDR, and scalable OEM integration.

Military & Defense Imaging (US & UK)

Defense contractors rely on IMX415 vs IMX335 Starvis modules for vehicle-mounted systems, UAV reconnaissance, and covert IR night cameras. The Sony Starvis camera module family supports both USB and HDMI outputs, ensuring flexible integration with tactical systems.

STARVIS vs STARVIS 2 — What Changed?

The leap from STARVIS to STARVIS2 is not just about incremental resolution upgrades:

• STARVIS (IMX415, IMX335, IMX462): Strong ultra low-light performance, compact sizes, and cost-effective modules.
• STARVIS2 (IMX585, IMX678, IMX675, IMX662):
  • Wider dynamic range (single-exposure HDR, reduced ghosting).
  • Stronger NIR response for security and robotics.
  • Higher frame rates for industrial conveyors, logistics, and embedded AI.

For engineers evaluating Starvis vs Starvis 2, the choice often depends on whether the project prioritizes cost and compactness (IMX415, IMX335) or dynamic range and AI-readiness (IMX678, IMX585).

STARVIS Outlook 2026–2027 — What’s Next?

Sony is expected to introduce STARVIS2+ and STARVIS3 by 2026–2027, delivering features aligned with emerging industrial demands:

• Edge AI-ready CMOS: On-sensor inference for robotics and real-time analytics.
• 8K industrial modules: For QA, automotive, and semiconductor inspection.
• Extended NIR/SWIR range: For covert military and energy security applications.
• Compact dual-output systems: USB+HDMI camera cores with smaller footprints (10×10mm) optimized for embedded robotics.

These advancements will expand the role of Sony Starvis USB cameras and strengthen their adoption in robotics, drones, and industrial inspection worldwide.

Why STARVIS Matters for US & EU Customers

For industrial leaders in the US, Germany, Italy, and Spain, STARVIS offers:

• Lower TCO: Reduced lighting costs vs CCD.
• Regulatory fit: CE/RoHS/FCC compliant for EU/US.
• Versatility: OEM-friendly USB, HDMI, and AI-ready modules.
• Future-proofing: Path to 8K and AI-enhanced embedded vision.

FAQ — STARVIS for Industry & Security

Q1: What makes STARVIS better than traditional CMOS?
A: Higher NIR sensitivity, wider WDR, and ultra low-light imaging.

Q2: Which modules are best for robotics?
A: IMX462 ultra low light camera module (navigation) and Starvis 2 IMX678 USB camera (AI-ready cobots).

Q3: Is STARVIS suitable for 24/7 industrial inspection?
A: Yes, its low-light capability reduces false negatives in QA lines.

Q4: Can STARVIS support dual outputs?
A: Yes, many OEMs now demand USB+HDMI camera cores for versatile deployments.

Q5: What’s next after STARVIS2?
A: Expect STARVIS2+ and STARVIS3 with stronger AI, 8K resolution, and better NIR/SWIR.

Call to Action