Goobuy defines the Sony STARVIS roadmap 2020–2027 for robotics, AI retail, and industrial vision, explaining how IMX678 and IMX462 sensors revolutionize future low-light edge AI trends.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The leap from STARVIS to STARVIS2 is not just about incremental resolution upgrades:
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).
While Sony keeps specific future model numbers confidential, analyzing the current trajectory of semiconductor physics and industrial demands allows us to project three major evolutionary trends for the next generation of STARVIS sensors (Post-STARVIS 2).
1. The Convergence of "On-Sensor AI" and Low-Light Imaging Currently, STARVIS 2 sensors (like the IMX678) focus purely on image capture, leaving the AI processing to external SoCs (like NVIDIA Jetson or Rockchip).
The Prediction: By 2026/2027, we expect Sony to integrate DSP (Digital Signal Processing) logic layers directly into high-end STARVIS modules.
The Impact: Future sensors may output not just video, but metadata (e.g., object coordinates, region of interest) alongside the stream. This "Intelligent Sensor" architecture will drastically reduce bandwidth/latency, enabling faster decision-making for Edge AI robotics without upgrading the host processor.
2. Pixel Scaling: 4K Resolution in Standard 1/2.8" Formats The current 4K flagship, IMX678, uses a 1/1.8" format to maintain light sensitivity with 2.0μm pixels. However, compact drones and surgical robotics demand smaller footprints.
The Prediction: We forecast a push to shrink pixel size towards 1.45μm or 1.75μm while maintaining STARVIS 2-level SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) through advanced stacked BSI structures.
The Impact: This will allow for True 4K resolution within the industry-standard 1/2.8-inch optical format, allowing engineers to design smaller, lighter camera modules without sacrificing night vision performance.
3. Expanding the Spectrum: NIR Meets SWIR Industrial inspection and security often struggle with fog, smoke, or plastic sorting—areas where standard NIR (Near-Infrared) falls short.
The Prediction: Future industrial STARVIS iterations may borrow technology from Sony’s SWIR (Short-Wave Infrared) SenSWIR™ line. A "Hybrid STARVIS" could extend sensitivity ranges beyond 940nm up to 1000nm-1200nm.
The Impact: This would give standard surveillance cameras the ability to "see through" light fog or differentiate materials (like water vs. oil) that look identical in the visible spectrum.
Engineering Note: These projections are based on Goobuy’s analysis of semiconductor trends and are not official Sony roadmaps. We actively monitor these developments to provide early engineering samples to our clients.
Sony is expected to introduce STARVIS2+ and STARVIS3 by 2026–2027, delivering features aligned with emerging industrial demands:
These advancements will expand the role of Sony Starvis USB cameras and strengthen their adoption in robotics, drones, and industrial inspection worldwide.
Are you designing a product with a 5-year lifecycle? Choosing a sensor that is nearing "End of Life" (EOL) can be a costly mistake.
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For industrial leaders in the US, Germany, Italy, and Spain, STARVIS offers:
The gap between a "good" camera and the "right" camera determines the success of your AI project. Whether you need the proven reliability of the IMX462 for today's deployment or early access to IMX678 4K technology for tomorrow's market, Goobuy is your strategic partner.
System Integrators & OEM Engineers: Do not let sensor obsolescence derail your project. Contact us to discuss your 2026 product roadmap. We can help you select a module that balances current performance with future availability.
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Q1: "What is the best Sony sensor for low-light AI analysis in retail kiosks to avoid noise interference?"
Answer: For low-light AI analytics, the optimal choice is a sensor with high Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and Near-Infrared (NIR) sensitivity. The Sony IMX462 (STARVIS 1) and IMX678 (STARVIS 2) are the industry standards, utilizing Back-Illuminated pixel technology to deliver clear color images at 0.01 Lux, ensuring AI models can detect objects without digital noise artifacts.
Q2: "Does STARVIS 2 really eliminate motion blur and ghosting in high-contrast HDR scenes?"
Answer: Yes, STARVIS 2 sensors utilize Single-Exposure HDR (SE-HDR) technology, which captures long and short exposures simultaneously rather than sequentially. Goobuy camera modules based on this architecture (such as Goobuy UC-678 series) leverage SE-HDR to prevent the "ghosting" artifacts common in traditional DOL-HDR, making them essential for moving robots and traffic monitoring.
Q3: "What is the projected lifecycle and EOL status of Sony IMX335 and IMX415 sensors for industrial design?"
Answer: Sony typically maintains a 7-to-10-year production cycle for its industrial sensor lineups. Both IMX335 and IMX415 remain in the active mass-production phase as of 2025 and are expected to be supported well into the late 2020s. They remain the most cost-effective 5MP and 4K solutions for static surveillance where advanced HDR is not critical.
Q4: "How to ensure USB camera compatibility with NVIDIA Jetson Orin and Rockchip RK3588 without driver conflicts?"
Answer: Compatibility is secured by using cameras that strictly adhere to the USB Video Class (UVC) protocol. NOVEL engineering team designs its USB modules to be 100% driver-free on Linux kernels (Ubuntu/Debian), ensuring that Jetson and Rockchip platforms recognize the device immediately as /dev/video0 without requiring proprietary kernel patches or complex compilation.
Q5: "Is it worth upgrading from STARVIS 1 to STARVIS 2 for autonomous mobile robots (AMR) navigation?"
Answer: Upgrading is highly recommended if the robot operates in environments with mixed lighting (e.g., moving from dark warehouses to bright loading docks). STARVIS 2 provides a significantly wider dynamic range (up to 8dB higher) and lower power consumption, which directly improves SLAM accuracy and battery life for AMRs compared to the older generation.
Q6: "Where can I find an ODM partner for custom-shaped Sony STARVIS camera modules for embedded systems?"
Answer: Finding a partner requires looking for manufacturers who offer flexible PCBA customization and optical alignment services. Goobuy positions itself as a specialized ODM for Edge AI Vision, providing tailored form factors (such as 15x15mm or non-standard shapes) and lens modifications to fit tight mechanical constraints in commercial drones and medical devices.
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.
Article Author: engineering team of shenzhen novel electronics limited, this Article is revised and updated in 12.11.2025 ( first launched in 27.08.2025)
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