Conquer Light & Shadow: The Ultimate WDR USB Camera Module for Robotics, Kiosks, IOT, and Smart Vending

Reliable vision in any real-world environment, packed into an ultra-compact 15x15mm footprint

Engineer's Quick-Look

Size:15mm x 15mm

Resolution:2MP (1920x1080)

Key Feature:Industrial-Grade WDR (up to 120 dB)

Interface:UVC Plug-and-Play USB 2.0/ USB-C

 

From the Lab to Reality: Why Standard Cameras Fail in the Real World

Robots and automated machines are moving out of controlled labs and into the dynamic, unpredictable real world. This transition exposes a critical weakness in standard vision systems: uncontrolled lighting. High-contrast scenes with intense glare, deep shadows, and sudden backlighting cause standard cameras to fail, resulting in saturated images and lost data. This leads directly to operational errors, failed transactions, and safety risks.

Our industrial-grade Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) technology solves this. It functions like the human eye, taking multiple exposures simultaneously and fusing them into a single, perfectly balanced image. The result is a crystal-clear view of your operational environment, every time.

[Compelling Side-by-Side Image: A standard camera view showing a silhouetted face in front of a bright window, next to a WDR camera view showing the face and the background clearly.]

 

Engineered for Your Industry's Toughest Challenges

We designed the UC-501-WDR to be a versatile solution that addresses the unique visual challenges across key industries.

Robotics Vision	Self-Service Kiosks	Smart Vending
Precision for Navigation & Inspection	Flawless User Experience in Any Light	Enabling the Future of Unattended Retail
• Overcome lighting challenges for robust AMR navigation in warehouses. • Achieve accurate inspection of reflective or dark materials. • Ensure safe human-robot collaboration (Cobots) in any environment. • Ultra-compact size is perfect for integration into End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT).	• Guarantee successful facial recognition and ID scanning in backlit conditions. • Eliminate glare from outdoor light to ensure flawless QR code reading. • Boost transaction success rates and customer satisfaction. • Miniature design allows for seamless integration into sleek, modern enclosures.	• Provide high-quality imaging for AI-powered age verification. • Enable low-cost, vision-based real-time inventory management. • Power advanced features like facial payment and dynamic advertising. • Enhance security and prevent fraudulent transactions.
[Link: Learn more about our Robotics Solutions]	[Link: See our Kiosk Integration Guide]	[Link: Explore Smart Vending Applications]

Technical Deep Dive: The Engineer's Corner

[Tab 1: Video & Optical Specifications]

• Sensor: High-Performance 1/2.8" CMOS Image Sensor

• Resolution: 1920(H) x 1080(V), 2.0 Megapixel

• Frame Rate: 1080p@30fps, 720p@30fps

• Wide Dynamic Range (WDR): Up to 120 dB, Multi-Exposure Hardware WDR

• Standard Lens (Default):

  • Diagonal FOV: 93°

  • Construction: 4-Element Glass, Low Distortion

• Lens Options: 70°-120°, and custom FOV available on request.

• Shutter Type: Rolling Shutter

 

[Tab 2: Mechanical & Physical Specifications]

• Module Dimensions: 12mm x 12mm

• Weight: Approx. 35g

• Housing Material: (ABS plastics, size 15*15mm)

• Operating Temperature: -20°C to +70°C

 

[Tab 3: Software & Integration]

• Interface: USB 2.0 / USB-C ( type-C)

• Connector: USB Type-C or 5-pin header (optional)

• Compatibility: UVC (USB Video Class) Compliant

• Operating Systems: Windows (8, 10, 11), Linux (Kernel 2.6 or higher), Android (with OTG support), macOS

• Power: USB Bus Powered (DC 5V)

• Development: Plug-and-play with OpenCV, ROS, Python, and other standard libraries.

 

Resources to Accelerate Your Integration

Get all the technical assets you need to start your design process today.

• [Download: Full Technical Datasheet (PDF)]

• [Download: The WDR for Robotics White Paper (PDF)]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does the WDR performance of this camera actually compare in the real world? Is it true hardware WDR?

Answer: This is an excellent and critical question. Our module features true hardware-based, multi-exposure WDR that delivers a dynamic range of up to 120 dB. Unlike digital WDR (D-WDR) which is a software-based gimmick, our hardware approach ensures you capture crystal-clear, artifact-free images in extreme high-contrast scenes. This means in a single frame, you can clearly see the details of a user's face in a dark shadow while simultaneously reading the license plate of a car in bright, direct sunlight behind them. It's designed for reliable performance in the most challenging real-world lighting, not just in a lab.

 

2. What kind of drivers or special software do we need to integrate this camera with our Linux-based robotic system or NVIDIA Jetson platform?

Answer: None. The camera is fully UVC (USB Video Class) compliant. This means it is a true plug-and-play device that requires no special drivers for all major operating systems, including Linux, Windows 10/11, and Android. It is recognized as a standard video device, allowing your software team to immediately access the video stream using common libraries like OpenCV, Python, GStreamer, or ROS (Robot Operating System). This dramatically simplifies the integration process and accelerates your development timeline.

 

3. The standard lens/cable option is close, but not perfect for our design. Can you provide customization for specific requirements?

Answer: Yes, absolutely. We understand that every embedded project is unique. This camera module serves as a flexible platform for our full OEM/ODM customization services. The most common customizations we provide for this module include:

• Lens & Field of View (FOV): We can equip the module with a wide range of lenses to achieve your desired FOV, from narrow (for detail) to wide-angle (for perception), including low-distortion options.

• Cable & Connector: We can customize the cable length and terminate it with the specific connector your system requires.

• Firmware Adjustments: We can pre-configure image parameters like brightness, contrast, and white balance to your specific needs.

Please contact our engineering team to discuss your project's unique requirements.

 

4. What is your process for providing samples for evaluation, and what are the typical lead times for mass production orders?

Answer: We make the evaluation process straightforward. You can request samples directly through our sales team, and they typically ship within 1-2 business weeks.

For mass production orders, our standard lead time is approximately 4-6 weeks after the final configuration is confirmed. Lead times may vary depending on the order volume and the complexity of any customizations. We pride ourselves on transparent communication and will provide you with a detailed schedule for your specific order.

 

5. What is the long-term reliability of this module, and what kind of warranty and technical support do you offer?

Answer: Our modules are designed and manufactured for industrial-grade reliability. Every unit is produced under ISO 9001 certified quality management standards and undergoes rigorous testing before shipment.

We stand behind our products with a standard 1-Year Manufacturer's Warranty. Furthermore, when you partner with us, you get direct access to our dedicated engineering support team. If you have any questions or challenges during your integration process, our experts are here to help you solve them quickly and efficiently.

 

Case Study: The Kiosk Failure 

Title: "It Doesn't Work!" - How a US Kiosk Startup's Airport Deployment Became a User Experience Nightmare 

The Client : "Urban Kiosk Solutions Inc.," a well-funded Silicon Valley startup, designed a sleek, modern self-service ticketing and ID verification kiosk. They secured a major pilot contract to deploy 50 of their flagship units in a major US international airport's main departure hall.

The Challenge : Within the first week of deployment, the support lines were flooded with complaints. Users reported that the kiosk's most critical function—scanning a driver's license or passport for identity verification—had an abysmal success rate, estimated to be below 40%. The facial recognition feature for payment was equally unreliable. Long queues formed, users became intensely frustrated, and the airport authority threatened to terminate the contract. The startup's reputation was on the line.

The Root Cause Analysis: The kiosks had performed flawlessly in the company's controlled lab environment. However, the airport's departure hall was a "worst-case scenario" for lighting. It had a massive glass facade and ceiling, creating extreme backlighting conditions at all hours of the day.

The standard miniature USB camera chosen for the kiosk, while compact, had no WDR capabilities. When a user stood in front of the kiosk, their face was cast into a dark silhouette against the bright background, making facial recognition impossible. When they held up their reflective, laminated ID card, the glare from the overhead lights would create a white flare, rendering the text and photo completely unreadable for the OCR software.

The Solution: The startup was forced to initiate an expensive recall and retrofitting process. They replaced the standard camera with a miniature WDR USB camera module. The WDR technology instantly solved the problem. It cut through the backlighting to perfectly expose the user's face and eliminated the glare on the ID cards, allowing the software to function as designed. The transaction success rate immediately jumped to over 95%.

The Takeaway : For any user-facing self-service terminal (Kiosk, ATM, Vending Machine) deployed in a public space, the user experience is the product. Choosing a camera without robust WDR capabilities is a critical oversight that ignores real-world conditions. It directly leads to failed transactions, customer frustration, and severe damage to the brand's reputation for quality and reliability.

More Than a Supplier: Your Engineering Partner

At Shenzhen Novel Electronics Limited, we are dedicated specialists in the field of embedded vision technology. We offer comprehensive OEM/ODM customization services, positioning ourselves as your trusted engineering partner throughout the entire product development lifecycle. From initial optical design and sensor selection to custom-shaped PCB layouts and firmware development, we provide end-to-end support.

Our mission is to transform your unique vision concepts into reliable, mass-produced realities, enabling your equipment to see clearer, farther, and smarter.

 

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