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| Mobileye’s fourth-quarter revenue increased 59% year-on-year to $565 million

On January 26, Mobileye, an autonomous driving company owned by Intel, released its financial performance report for the fourth quarter of 2022. Data show that Mobileye’s fourth-quarter revenue increased 59% year-on-year to US$565 million. EyeQ® SoC-related revenue increased 48% in the quarter due to a combination of volume and ASP growth. The remainder of the growth came primarily from SuperVisionTM-related revenue, although this product accounted for less than 1% of overall sales.

Average system price in the fourth quarter of 2022 was $56.2, compared to $48.3 in the prior year, primarily due to an increase in the advanced product portfolio. The price increase offset the increased cost of EyeQ chips due to global inflationary pressures and also led to a smaller increase in average system prices. Compared with the same period last year, its gross profit margin increased by nearly 10 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily due to the impact of a lower amortization of intangible assets as a percentage of revenue, partially offset by higher sales of SuperVisionTM, which has a higher hardware content and therefore lower gross margin.

Adjusted gross margin (a non-GAAP measure) in the fourth quarter of 2022 decreased 3 percentage points compared to the prior year. The year-over-year decrease was primarily due to increased sales of SuperVisionTM, which has higher unit gross profit but lower gross profit margin due to higher hardware content. Adjusted gross margin for the company's core EyeQ® SoC product line remained stable in the 70% range. Operating profit increased by more than 16 percentage points year-on-year. The increase was primarily driven by revenue growth that translated into gross profit, which significantly exceeded year-over-year growth in operating expenses, as well as the impact of a lower amortization cost of intangible assets as a percentage of revenue.

Mobileye's adjusted operating profit (non-GAAP measure) in the fourth quarter of 2022 increased by approximately 4 percentage points. The growth was driven by revenue growth translating into gross profit, which significantly exceeded year-over-year growth in operating expenses. Adjusted operating margin in the fourth quarter of 2022 was higher than expected due to the shift of multiple expense items expected in 2022 to 2023, primarily in the area of ​​non-recurring engineering (NRE) development projects. As of December 31, 2022, the company's annual operating cash flow was $546 million. During the same period, property and equipment purchases were $111 million.

| SK Hynix reorganizes CMOS image sensor team to focus on developing high-end products

According to reports on January 28, SK Hynix has reorganized its CMOS image sensor (CIS) team to shift its focus from expanding market share to developing high-end products.

SK Hynix's CMOS image sensor team was a single organization before the change, but the company has now created sub-teams that focus on specific functions and features of the image sensor. Overall, the team now feels more like an R&D team than a sales and marketing team.

CMOS image sensor is the core of camera/camera and is widely used in smartphones and various IT products. Sony is the world's largest producer of CMOS image sensors, followed by Samsung. The two companies focus on high resolution and multi-function, and together control 70% to 80% of the market share. Among them, Sony is the overwhelming leader, with approximately 50% market share.

SK Hynix is ​​relatively small in this field and has focused on low-end CMOS image sensor products with a resolution of 20 million pixels or less in the past. However, SK Hynix has started supplying its CMOS image sensors to Samsung in 2021. It provides 13-megapixel CMOS image sensors for Samsung folding screen phones and 50-megapixel CMOS image sensors for the Galaxy A series last year.

Still, overall demand for CMOS image sensors has declined in recent years as smartphones are suffering from slowing demand. This is especially painful for mid-range smartphones, as their unit prices have fallen due to lackluster consumer demand. In view of this, SK Hynix has been reducing its CMOS image sensor production and also reducing inventory, sources said.

| Smart Eye announces the successful design of three new driver monitoring systems

January 30, 2023 – Smart Eye, a leading developer of DMS software for the automotive industry, will deliver its technology to three new models from a major Japanese automaker. The customer had previously selected Smart Eye's software for several of its earlier models. New models including Smart Eye technology are expected to go into production in Europe in 2026.

Based on product life cycle production forecasts, the order revenue is expected to be SEK 30 million. “These additional models have been well received, ” said Smart Eye CEO and founder Martin Krantz . "The Japanese OEM is ramping up production of its first model with DMS, which is typically when we get more design wins on existing vehicle platforms. Expect more of these add-ons. "

Smart Eye has currently received a total of 197 design approvals from 18 OEMs. The total estimated value of current design orders exceeds SEK 3.865 billion. The additional design wins that may be achieved with carmakers on existing platforms have an estimated value of SEK 4.045 billion over the product life cycle.

Smart Eye will use this information to prepare and publish a supplement to the prospectus published earlier today in connection with the company's rights issue. The supplement will be published immediately upon approval by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Sw.Finansinspektionen) (“SFSA”).

| Magna’s ClearView vision system on board Ram trucks

Magna announced that its advanced ClearView™ vision technology is available on the Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty trucks for the first time. The ClearView™ vision system combines camera and rearview mirror technology designed to reduce blind-spot accidents and improve safety by improving visibility around the vehicle. In addition, the system offers other advantages, such as easier parking and maneuvering of the vehicle.

Image source: Magna

A vision technology from Canadian auto parts supplier Magna International designed to make vehicles smarter and safer has debuted on the Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty trucks.

The system, called ClearView, bundles camera and mirror technology and has the potential to reduce blind-spot accidents and improve visibility by enhancing visibility around the vehicle, officials with the Aurora, Ont.-based company said at a Jan. 18 news conference. safety. ClearView also offers other benefits, including easier parking and maneuvering of vehicles, the announcement said.

"The ClearView system includes interior rearview mirrors, exterior rearview mirrors with integrated cameras and a center high-mounted brake light camera," Magna said. "Additional trailer cameras are available as an option to provide an unobstructed view while towing. All camera data is processed via [our] software in the central electronic control unit."

In addition, the driver can switch between an optical rear view and a video display showing up to three camera views simultaneously, a technology Magna says is the first of its kind on the market. The ClearView interior rearview mirror display also includes several other customizable features, including the ability to zoom in and out, adjust brightness, rotate or move the image left, right, up or down.

| Texas Instruments launches first ultrasonic lens cleaning chipset

On January 17, Texas Instruments (TI) launched the first dedicated semiconductor ULC chipset with ultrasonic lens cleaning (ULC) technology, enabling camera systems to use micro-vibrations to quickly detect and remove dirt, ice and water.

Source: Texas Instruments

In the past, removing contaminants from camera lenses required manual cleaning, which resulted in system downtime, or the use of various mechanical devices that could malfunction. TI's new ULC chipset, which includes the ULC1001 digital signal processor (DSP) and accompanying DRV2901 piezoelectric transducer driver, uses a proprietary technology that allows the camera to use precisely controlled vibrations to quickly remove contaminants on its own for fast Eliminates debris, improving system accuracy and reducing maintenance requirements. This chipset provides designers with a compact and affordable way to use ULC in a variety of applications and different camera sizes.

"ULC could make the widespread use of self-cleaning cameras and sensors a reality," said Avi Yashar, product marketing engineer at TI. "Existing cleaning methods are costly and impractical, requiring complex mechanics, expensive electronics and extensive processing. to detect contaminants and perform cleaning. As the number of cameras continues to grow in applications ranging from automotive and traffic cameras to smart cities and manufacturing, there is an urgent need for a simple and cost-effective way to implement self-cleaning cameras. ”

The ULC1001 controller includes proprietary algorithms for automatic sensing, cleaning, temperature and fault detection without the need for any image processing, making ULC technology highly adaptable and can be used in a variety of camera lens designs. The chipset's small form factor makes it possible to improve machine vision and sensing in a variety of applications—anywhere a camera or sensor might get dirty.

Using TI's ULC chipset eliminates the need for complex mechanics and manual intervention in the lens cleaning system. Using a proprietary algorithm, the ULC1001 ultrasonic cleaning DSP integrates a pulse width modulator, current and voltage sense amplifiers, and analog-to-digital converters. TI's chipset, used with the DRV2901 piezoelectric transducer driver as a companion amplifier, enables ULC in a compact package with a printed circuit board size of less than 25mm x 15mm, reducing the bill of materials while providing greater flexibility than discrete implementations. Many functions.

The ULC1001 DSP is in volume production and is available on TI.com and through authorized distributors in a 4.5mm x 4.5mm, 32-pin HotRod Quad Flat No-Lead (QFN) package. The DRV2901 piezoelectric transducer driver is available now, complete on tape and reel, from TI.com and other channels.

| Canon develops new 1-inch CMOS sensor with dynamic range exceeding 24 stops at 4K

Canon says it is developing a new 1-inch BSI CMOS image sensor that uses partitioned exposure technology to achieve a dynamic range of 24.58 stops at 4K resolution.

According to Canon's official introduction, this is a 1-inch BSI CMOS image sensor with approximately 12.6 million pixels. In order to achieve ultra-high dynamic range, it does not use conventional HDR technology. Instead, the sensor is divided into 736 areas, each of which is independently imaged during imaging. exposure. During testing, the sensor's dynamic range was 148dB at 4K30P and 142dB at 4K60P, that is, the corresponding number of steps were 24.58 and 23.58 respectively, while avoiding motion artifacts and blur problems caused by HDR imaging. However, in order to perform partitioned exposure, the sensor is equipped with multiple CPUs and dedicated processing circuits to ensure that each area can obtain the correct exposure in a short time. However, Canon has no plans to use the new sensor in cameras and movie cameras for the time being. Instead, it will be used in industry and security.

In principle, Canon's new sensor is very similar to the partitioned backlight technology used in LCD TVs. In order to achieve higher contrast, the latter uses different brightness in different partitions. As a result, the transition between partitions is unnatural. It is estimated that Canon's new sensor Similar problems cannot be avoided, and it is difficult to meet the imaging needs of cameras and video cameras in the short term.

| Leopard Imaging, Axonne and Amphenol to Demonstrate Multi-Gigabit Automotive Ethernet Camera Development Modules

Image source: Leopard Imaging

According to foreign media reports, smart embedded camera supplier Leopard Imaging announced a partnership with Axonne, a Silicon Valley semiconductor startup focused on simplifying automotive in-vehicle networks, and electronic component manufacturer Amphenol Corporation. The three companies will demonstrate the world's first multi-gigabit automotive Ethernet camera development module at DesignCon 2023, which will be held from January 31 to February 2 at the Santa Clara Convention Center in California.

In a joint effort, Axonne and Leopard Imaging collaborated to develop the first IEEE 802.3ch camera module, with Amphenol supplying Ve-Net Multi-Gig high-speed connectors and STP cable assemblies. The demonstration is powered by Axonne's Cyton™ PHY and a camera module designed and manufactured by Leopard Imaging. An Amphenol Ve NET header will be located on the camera module, and a Ve NET high-speed Gigabit Ethernet cable assembly will connect from the camera to the high-performance computing platform Image Signal Processing (ISP), which will then display the source video on the transmission screen.

Compared to existing high-speed data transmission technologies, Automotive Ethernet is a flexible and secure network that allows easy reconfiguration to ensure uninterrupted connectivity of major computer systems and ADAS sensors in the vehicle area E/E architecture. With the world's first 10 Gigabit automotive Ethernet camera development module, Leopard Imaging, Axonne and Amphenol have successfully provided automotive customers with secure, multi-functional high-speed in-vehicle network solutions to meet the new needs of in-vehicle network technology. Leopard Imaging has passed IATF16949 automotive-grade quality management system certification and is committed to providing high-quality imaging solutions to customers in the automotive industry.

| Streetway: It has the R&D capabilities to provide customers with high-end customized products and has mass production of customized products. It launched the first LA (Linear) line array series 4K resolution high-speed industrial CMOS image sensor - SC430LA

On January 30, an investor asked Smartway, apart from CIS chip revenue, does the company have any other service revenue? Can the company's chips meet customized needs?

The company responded that as a well-known design company in the field of CMOS image sensors, SmartSky has always focused on the innovation and research and development of high-end imaging technology. It has the research and development capabilities to provide customers with high-end customized products and has mass production of customized products. We pay full attention to changes in market demand, product definition keeps up with the cutting-edge development direction of technology, and product research and development always take meeting customer needs as the starting point. The current products also fully meet the differentiated needs of different customers.

Previously, SmartSens launched the first LA (Linear) line array series 4K resolution high-speed industrial CMOS image sensor - SC430LA. This back-illuminated (BSI) image sensor is equipped with the innovative SmartGS®-2 global shutter technology, relying on SmartSmart's advanced analog circuit design, supporting excellent Trilinear color mode and 32x analog gain, integrating high stability, high accuracy, It combines the four performance advantages of low noise and high line frequency, and can be applied in various industrial environments, empowering all-weather industrial line scan cameras with high transmission speed and high image quality.

SC430LA adopts SmartSens's advantageous analog circuit design, and the analog gain can be opened up to 32 times. This new product has 4K resolution and is built based on SmartSens' unique SmartGS®-2 global shutter technology. It adopts BSI process and has a quantum efficiency (QE) of up to 77% in the 500nm band, which is 10% higher than the same specification industrial products in the industry. It provides more real and effective image information in industrial low-light environments and achieves 4K resolution. On the other hand, SC430LA can achieve excellent noise control and color rendering effects. Its fixed noise (FPN) and pixel response non-uniformity (PRNU) can be reduced to 0.28e- and 0.53% respectively. Compared with similar products in the industry, the dark current is greatly reduced by 51%. SC430LA is available in black and white and color versions. The black and white version has 1-line, 2-line and 3-line working modes for customers to choose from. In addition, SC430LA only requires 1.8V and 3.3V external power supply.

| Gekewei: It is expected that the full-year profit in 2022 will be 370 million to 510 million. Net profit will drop 70.60% to 59.47% year-on-year.

On January 31, the listed company Gekewei released a full-year performance forecast. The company expects that its performance will drop significantly from January to December 2022. The net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company will be 370 million-510 million, and the net profit will drop 70.60% year-on-year to 59.47%.

The company made the above prediction based on the following reasons: (1) Impact of main business During the reporting period, the company was affected by multiple factors such as geopolitics, global inflation, and the domestic epidemic. The demand in the consumer electronics market slowed down, the prosperity of the mobile phone industry declined, and product exports The volume of goods has decreased; at the same time, industry inventory levels are at historically high levels, and strong destocking needs have led to intensified product price competition, resulting in a decline in gross profit margins.

(2) Impact of falling inventory prices During the reporting period, the company’s product lines focused on mid- to low-end CMOS image sensor products, most of which are standard products rather than customized products. They have strong adaptability to changes in market demand and have a high market share. Therefore, the risk of inventory price decline is lower than that of peers. Based on the principle of prudence, the company expects to accrue inventory depreciation provisions for 2022 of RMB 390 million to RMB 450 million for products with a long inventory age and a small number of products whose net realizable value is lower than cost.

(3) Impact of start-up costs During the reporting period, the investment project "12-inch CIS integrated circuit characteristic process research and development and industrialization project" is still in the early preparation and construction stage, and the start-up costs are relatively high, mainly including personnel wages, materials and other related matters during the preparation period. expenses, thus having a significant impact on company profits. The company's industry is semiconductors and components .

The main business of Geke Micro Co., Ltd. is the research and development, design and sales of CMOS image sensors and display driver chips. The company's main products are CMOS image sensors and display driver chips. The company is one of the world's leading semiconductor and integrated circuit design companies. According to Frost & Sullivan research data, based on shipments in 2019, the company ranked second among CMOS image sensor suppliers in the global market and LCD display in the Chinese market. Ranked second among driver chip suppliers.

| DB HiTek mass production of global shutter and SPAD within this year

Korean professional foundry DB HiTek is accelerating its entry into new high-growth fields such as industrial machine vision, autonomous vehicles and AR, and plans to achieve mass production of global shutters and SPADs within this year.

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DB HiTek has begun to expand its high value-added professional image sensor business through foundry process technologies specifically targeting global shutter and single-photon avalanche diodes (SPAD), which are highly regarded by the automotive industry. , robots and other industries.

Based on safe process technology, the company plans to improve profitability by expanding into new high-growth areas such as industrial machine vision, autonomous vehicles and augmented reality technology (AR).

Global shutter is a sensor that can capture images of fast-moving objects without distortion and is actively used in machine vision (a technology that enables computing devices to inspect, evaluate, and recognize still or moving images). Machine vision has recently become the "eyes of the smart factory" and its application scope is rapidly expanding into robots, drones and automobiles.

DB HiTek's global shutter uses hood and light guide technology to prevent light signal distortion, has a global shutter efficiency (GSE) performance of 99.997% (noise occurs less than 1/10000), and can support multiple pixel sizes as small as 2.8 microns. .

In addition, SPAD is an ultra-sensitive 3D image sensor that can detect weak light signals at the photon (light particle) level. Based on its advantages of high precision and long-range measurement, it is the first choice for self-driving car lidar (laser detection and ranging). Core components. Recently, it has been rapidly adopted by supporting augmented reality functions on high-end smartphones, and its role will be widely expanded to next-generation applications such as robots and drones in the future.

LiDAR, also known as a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor, is a high-precision component that can measure the distance between the sensor and the object by identifying the time of flight required from when light is emitted by the sensor to when it is reflected back by the object.

At the same time, according to market research firm Markets and Markets, the lidar market is expected to continue to maintain an average annual growth of 22%, growing from US$1.3 billion in 2021 to US$3.4 billion in 2026.

DB HiTek's SPAD process ensures a photon detection probability of 3.2% for FSI (front-illuminated) and 7% for BSI (back-illuminated) based on the 940nm wavelength. In addition, it plans to increase the photon detection probability to 15% in the future through the BDTI (back-illuminated deep trench isolation, which minimizes light loss and improves optical performance by forming an insulating part between pixels) process, thus having the largest competition in the industry force.

Cheonman Shim, Vice President of Marketing at DB HiTek, said: "We are focusing on product development based on global shutter and SPAD processes with leading global industry companies, aiming to achieve mass production within the year. We plan to provide the best complex processes and process design kits by (PDK) to enhance support for customers to enter the market at the right time."

| imec showcases the world's first multi-sensor hyperspectral camera: VIS+NIR+high-resolution RGB

imec, the world's leading research and innovation center for nanoelectronics and digital technologies, demonstrated the world's first multi-sensor hyperspectral camera. The system covers both the visible and red/near-infrared spectrum and is equipped with a high-resolution RGB sensor. The system supports data acquisition at video rates, even when faced with dynamic scenes, using a single device to help evaluate which spectral band and resolution are best suited for a given application.

In recent years, an increasing number of manufacturers are investigating how hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology can enhance their products and/or services. For some of these manufacturers, it is clear from the beginning which spectral range best suits their needs. However, for some other manufacturers, some testing is required. Although there are a variety of cameras to choose from, fusing their data into a single dataset to draw lessons and conclusions is a recognized challenge.

"imec has an extensive track record of success in researching and prototyping hyperspectral imaging technologies. Our acclaimed range of hyperspectral snapshot cameras are one example of this. Each of their variants is available in multiple types, covering specific Spectral resolution and wavelength bands - from visible light (VIS), near infrared (NIR) to short wave infrared (SWIR), can simultaneously support real-time data acquisition even in the face of motion," said Wouter Charle, imec's on-chip spectral imaging research project manager. , “Today we are expanding our product portfolio with the latest Multishot VNIR+RGB, a multi-sensor system covering the visible to near-infrared spectrum, complemented by a high-resolution RGB sensor, specifically targeted at hyperspectral imaging applications Developed by companies and research institutions.”

Three sensors in one package enable unparalleled application research

As the world's first, imec's new hyperspectral camera contains three sensors in one package and is equipped with a standard F-mount lens. It allows partners to flexibly evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different spectral resolutions and bands without investing in extensive equipment or repeating experiments.

Inside the camera, light is directed into three channels. Two of them are equipped with imec's off-the-shelf two-megapixel sensors - collectively covering the visible and near-infrared spectrum - while the third channel uses a high-resolution RGB sensor. Therefore, the camera covers 30 bands in the range of 460~870 nm, supplemented by 5 million pixel true color images, and can all work simultaneously at video rate to achieve real-time data collection (even in the face of dynamic scenes).

"For those users who are still unsure which sensor is best for their needs, the Multishot VNIR+RGB is a truly ground-breaking product. With its system flexibility and accompanying software, experimentation with hyperspectral imaging technology has never been easier." It’s so easy. It allows partners to focus on their core business, which is application validation and development, without having to worry about the underlying complexity of hyperspectral imaging technology,” commented Charle. Like the imec Snapshot range of products, the new system is particularly suitable for those scenarios involving uncontrollable dynamics. For example, assisted surgery, environmental monitoring, anomaly detection, automotive vision, precision agriculture and crop detection, etc.

| Sony consolidates its No. 1 spot in the global CMOS image sensor market, accounting for 51.6%

According to Omdia’s latest market research report, Sony continues to dominate the global CMOS image sensor (CIS) market. Data shows that Sony's CMOS image sensor sales in the third quarter of 2022 were US$2.442 billion, and its share of the CMOS image sensor market was 51.6%, more than three times that of second-ranked Samsung (15.6%).

The global CMOS image sensor market size in the third quarter of 2022 was US$4.733 billion, an increase of 13.6% from the second quarter of the same year (US$4.168 billion); but compared with the same period in 2021 (US$4.866 billion), there was a slight decrease.

Following Samsung are OmniVision Technology, ON Semiconductor and Geco Microelectronics, with their shares accounting for 9.7%, 7% and 4% respectively. Among them, OmniVision Technology and Gekewei are both Chinese companies, and the two Chinese companies have a combined market share of 13.7%.

Another focus of the CMOS image sensor market in the third quarter of last year was the rapid development of SK Hynix: SK Hynix’s sales in the third quarter were US$180 million, ranking sixth, and its CMOS image sensor sales increased compared with the previous quarter. about 20%. In 2021, Samsung’s CMOS image sensor market share is 29%, while Sony’s is 46%. In 2022, Sony seems to continue to widen the gap with the runner-up, and market observers believe that this trend will continue.

Market observers said that the reason why Sony performed well in the CMOS image sensor market in the third quarter is that the Japanese technology giant has received orders for devices such as Xiaomi 12S Ultra. It is worth mentioning that Sony is expected to supply CMOS image sensors for Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15 series. Sony is the only major CMOS image sensor supplier expected to achieve year-on-year revenue growth in 2023. Sony continues to increase its CMOS image sensor market share, strengthen its production systems through cooperation with TSMC, and expand its automotive business.

In September 2022, research institutions predicted that after maintaining double-digit growth for six consecutive years, the global CMOS image sensor market size will decline to US$18.6 billion in 2022, a year-on-year decline of nearly 7% from US$20.1 billion in 2021. The global CMOS image sensor market is expected to resume growth in 2023, with the market size increasing to US$19.3 billion, a year-on-year increase of 4%, and the growth momentum is expected to continue until 2026, when the market size will increase to US$26.9 billion.

| The "Baolong Technology 8-Megapixel Intelligent Controller" project won the award, targeting ADAS applications based on single-view camera

The application scope of "Baolong Technology 8-megapixel intelligent controller" is 8-megapixel vehicle camera application scenarios including: peripheral view (front view, side view, rear view), surround view, electronic rearview mirror camera and cabin camera, etc.; among them Front-view and in-cabin cameras are the main scenarios most likely to be promoted and applied on a large scale. The core advantage is that the 8-megapixel vehicle-mounted camera can have a longer detection range and a larger field of view. Taking the front-view camera as an example, an 8-megapixel camera can achieve a detection range of 200~250m and can also have a detection range of 120m. left and right field of view.

Baolong Technology's 8-megapixel intelligent controller is based on single-view ADAS applications and adopts an integrated design for passenger cars. The system is based on an 800MP front-view camera to realize front target recognition and ranging, and perceives the road condition information in front of the car. The MCU's planning and control algorithm realizes the main assisted driving functions of AEB, FSACC, and LKA. The 8-megapixel smart F camera has the hardware coverage of parking function: DVR+ADAS+APA (front-view integrated machine+12 ultrasonic radars+4 surround views). The design of the integrated camera F-camera requires that the sensing camera be inside the F-camera, and the camera module and the controller board are connected using a soft cable. The installation adopts adhesive installation. Pay attention to the inclination angle of the front windshield. The main functions include LDP/LDW lateral deviation warning, lateral deviation assistance, etc.

| Gentex sales hit new high in 2022

Image source: Gentai

According to foreign media reports, thanks to improvements in customer output compared with previous quarters, automotive rearview mirror supplier Gentex announced that both net sales and net profit increased in the fourth quarter of 2022, and the company's full-year 2022 Net sales for the year set a new record.

In the fourth quarter of 2022, Gentex's net sales were US$493.6 million, a year-on-year increase of 18%; net profit increased by 2.3% year-on-year to US$86.2 million; gross profit margin dropped to 31.2% from 34.3% in the same period of 2021; operating expenses year-on-year rose 7% to $59.7 million. Looking at the full year of 2022, Gentex's net sales increased by 11% year-on-year to US$1.92 billion, setting a new record for the company; net profit was US$318.8 million, a year-on-year decrease of 12%; gross profit margin was 31.8%, lower than 35.8% in 2021.

Gentex said the decrease in gross profit margin was mainly caused by raw material costs, fluctuations in customer orders, unfavorable product mix and increased labor costs. The increase in labor costs is due to increased overtime costs, which the company is addressing through efforts to increase staffing.

Gentex CEO Steve Downing said on a conference call with analysts and reporters: "As we enter 2023, we will continue to see strong demand for our products, which will lead to another record year of revenue and... "It will help us focus on restoring margin growth during 2023 and 2024," Gentex Engineering Vice President Neil Boehm said. Forecasting sales and performance in 2023 remains a challenge due to the volatility of customer orders. Bohm noted, “As supply chain constraints begin to ease, the company is continuing to take a prudent approach to inventory management and is considering reducing inventory levels in certain areas. ” (Gasgoo Automotive News)

| Thorlabs will complete the acquisition of JML Optical to expand its optical lens-related business

On January 16, 2023, Thorlabs, an American diversified photonics company, announced that it had agreed to acquire JML Optical Industries, a precision optics company located in Rochester, New York, and the two parties have reached a final acquisition agreement. The merger is expected to be completed before the end of January, and Thorlabs will further expand its products in optical components.

JML Optical Industries is founded by Joseph M. Founded in 1972, Lobozzo II offers a range of spherical, aspheric, planar, cylindrical and non-cylindrical lenses, as well as expertise in coatings, fast-turn optics and optical system design, covering a wide range of market sectors. The company, which was acquired by private equity firm Five Point Capital in 2011, currently has 70,000 square feet of space dedicated to the design, production and testing of lenses and multi-element optical devices.

According to Thorlabs, after the acquisition is completed, the JML team will remain in Rochester, USA, where it will establish a new division called Thorlabs Lens Systems (TLS) and commit to making "significant" investments to expand the business.

Thorlabs noted that TLS will operate as an R&D and production facility and will add to Thorlabs' existing optical manufacturing space and capabilities. Thorlabs currently occupies 120,000 square feet of vertically integrated manufacturing space in the optical category at its campus in New Jersey, and an additional 24,000 square feet at its facilities in South Carolina and California. "

| High-performance CMOS image sensor manufacturer Changguangchenxin launches IPO

On January 17, the China Securities Regulatory Commission disclosed Guotai Junan’s report on the initial public offering and listing guidance filing of Changchun Changguang Chenxin Microelectronics Co., Ltd. (referred to as: Changguang Chenxin). Since its establishment, Changguang Chenxin has received investment from many well-known institutions such as Hillhouse, SDIC Investment, CPE Yuanfeng, National Policy Investment, Fangguang Capital, SMIC Juyuan, Atomic Venture Capital, China Science and Technology Star.

According to the official website, Changguangchenxin was established in 2012 and is an international enterprise focusing on the design and development of high-performance CMOS image sensors. Changguangchenxin has first-class semiconductor physics experts and technical teams at home and abroad, equipped with scientific-grade back-illuminated CMOS image sensors, 14/16bit ADC, high-resolution large target area, stacking, one-dimensional and two-dimensional splicing, and global charge domain Core technical capabilities such as shutter pixels.

Typical products of Changguangchenxin

Based on years of R&D investment and technology accumulation, Changguangchenxin has created more than 30 standard products in 7 series, covering scientific imaging, medical imaging, industrial machine vision, high-speed imaging, film and television, intelligent transportation, virtual reality and other application fields. , customers are located in more than 30 countries and regions around the world.

From the perspective of ownership structure, Changguang Chenxin’s controlling shareholder is Wang Xinyang, who directly and indirectly holds 42.06% of the company’s shares.

| Ford recalls 462,000 vehicles to fix backup cameras

(Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP via Getty Images)

Ford is recalling nearly 452,000 vehicles worldwide because the touchscreen may not display camera images when reversing.

The recall covers certain 2020 through 2023 Ford Explorers and Lincoln Aviators, as well as some 2020 through 2022 Lincoln Corsairs. All of them are equipped with 360-degree cameras. In the United States, 383,000 SUVs have been recalled. Ford said in government documents released on Friday that video output could fail, preventing rear camera images from being displayed. This reduces rear visibility and increases the risk of a crash.

"Through this recall, customers will be able to use mobile services at no charge with participating dealers to configure software updates on their vehicles at their convenience," Ford told FOX Business in a statement.

| Brandmotion wins overall best new product award at 2022 event for its 360° SurroundVUE commercial and RV camera system

AAM Group has announced that supplier partner Brandmotion has won the overall Best New Product award at the 2022 event for its 360° SurroundVUE commercial and RV camera system. After winning the towing accessories category, SurroundVUE beat out 10 other category winners to claim the overall title.

This innovative Brandmotion product eliminates blind spots with a three-dimensional, 360-degree bird's-eye view of the driver's vehicle. The quad-camera system delivers 1920x1080p HD video capture at 60 frames per second to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date video feed on the market today, while a DVR is used to record every second. The 360°SurroundVUE commercial and RV camera system is designed to evoke an authentic OEM look and feel, helping drivers prevent accidents, park with ease and pay close attention to their surroundings.

| Qualcomm launches Snapdragon Ride™ vision system, based on 4nm process SoC

On January 5, 2022, Qualcomm launched the latest product of the Snapdragon Ride™ platform product portfolio-Snapdragon Ride™ vision system. The system has a new open, scalable, modular computer vision software stack and a system-on-chip based on the 4-nanometer process. (SoC) is built to optimize the deployment of front-view and surround-view cameras to support advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD). The Snapdragon Ride vision system integrates a dedicated high-performance Snapdragon Ride SoC and Arriver's next-generation visual perception software stack. It uses proven software and hardware solutions to provide multiple computing functions to enhance the perception of the vehicle's surrounding environment and support the vehicle's planning and Implement and help achieve a safer driving experience.

The Snapdragon Ride Vision System supports flexible deployment options, from entry-level New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)-compliant front camera applications to higher-level autonomous driving requiring full front- and surround-view camera application support; the system also supports functional safety/ Safety of Anticipated Functionality (SOTIF) enables universal deployment of features and requirements across virtually all vehicle classes and types. Snapdragon Ride Vision System offers a unique modular architecture that gives automakers the flexibility to integrate map crowdsourcing, driver monitoring systems (DMS), parking systems, cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technology and positioning modules to support better customization and upward integration.

The Snapdragon Ride vision system integrates the industry-leading Arriver™ vision software stack to keep up with the requirements of automakers and regulatory agencies, as well as global safety rating agencies, and supports customization of many features. For example, the industry's leading computer vision uses a camera perception software stack that has been successfully mass-produced for four generations and has more than ten years of R&D accumulation; it has received the highest performance rating and helped automakers comply with the latest European New Car Assessment Specification (Euro NCAP) in 2021. ) achieved a five-star safety rating.

At the same time, high-performance and feature-rich solutions are built to provide vehicles with enhanced awareness of their surroundings, including but not limited to static geometric shapes such as lane markings, traffic infrastructure and guardrails; dynamic objects such as vehicles; pedestrians and cyclists, etc. Vulnerable traffic participants; and traffic sign recognition that meets global regulatory requirements are all based on an 8-megapixel wide-field wide-angle camera developed with a customized neural network architecture.

In addition, the dedicated toolkit is developed and designed for in-vehicle electronic control units (ECUs) and can serve as a reference system for expansion to L2-L3 and higher-level applications; it includes a secure operating system (OS) and hypervisor, as well as ADAS and artificial intelligence Automotive middleware for (AI) tools, including Complex Neural Network Architecture Search (NAS).

It is reported that the Snapdragon Ride vision system is expected to be launched in mass-produced cars in 2024. Using the released Snapdragon Ride™ software development kit (SDK), the automotive ecosystem can develop next-generation ADAS and AD solutions and their driving strategies. development. The development kit is designed to support automakers and Tier 1 suppliers in flexibly developing their driving strategy software stacks and integrating components such as parking and DMS components that can be integrated into the Snapdragon Ride vision system, providing a complete software and hardware environment for rapid development.

| The NYPD is repainting police cars and adding 360-degree camera technology

The New York Police Department’s new vehicle design is inspired by the department’s flag, updating its fleet with 360-degree camera technology (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The NYPD is going green, but not just with electric vehicles. The New York City Police Department has unveiled a new paint scheme for patrol cars. The new design was previewed on Windsor Day on a Ford Explorer police utility. It features green and dark blue stripes with a field of stars inspired by the New York Police Department's Centennial Flag.

The vehicles have also been upgraded with 360-degree camera systems to ensure driver safety and will have scannable QR codes drawn on them to help people contact the department to resolve issues. The new look will be rolled out across the fleet starting in 2024.

| Digital Ally announces it has received orders for FirstVu Pro and FirstVuII automotive cameras, as well as EVO HD automotive video systems

January 24 - Digital Ally (hereinafter referred to as the "Company"), announced that the company has received an order from Cherokee County (KS) to upgrade its deployed vehicle cameras and vehicle camera systems. The division ordered Digital Ally's complete video ecosystem, including FirstVu Pro and FirstVuII in-vehicle cameras, as well as the EVO HD in-vehicle video system.

“The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office continues to seek innovation, reliability and service in an effort to keep the community and our deputies as safe as possible,” said Sheriff David Groves, adding, “We are confident in our partnership with Digital Ally ” and are excited about the upgrade to next-generation body cameras that will greatly enhance our agency’s ability to serve our country.”

FirstVu PRO features include:

Live GPS Tracking: FirstVu PRO can be tracked in near real-time from the EVO Web cloud platform via cellular connection.

Remote activation: Administrators can activate recording remotely from the EVO Web cloud platform.

Full-color touch screen: 2.4-inch large capacitive touch screen for easy viewing of equipment evidence on site.

Full HD Audio and Video: Capture crystal-clear Full HD 1080p video. Record better evidence using an advanced image sensor, improved low-light performance, motion blur reduction and audio noise reduction technology. Also equipped with infrared LEDs, the body camera can identify objects up to 5 meters away in complete darkness.

Sturdy and reliable: IP67 protection level, dustproof, windproof, and waterproof for 30 minutes. Meets MIL-STD-810G standards and can handle drops, shock and vibration.

As part of Digital Ally's complete video solutions product ecosystem, FirstVu PRO is compatible with the recently released QuickVu docking station. Digital Ally's QuickVu system provides a comprehensive and elegant solution for the charging, review and offloading of video evidence.

All evidence captured by FirstVu PRO body cameras is stored in the company's EVO Web cloud platform, which also supports other products including FirstVu II body cameras and EVO-HD in-vehicle systems, allowing users to view evidence from a centralized platform.

FirstVu PRO launched in the first quarter of 2022 and has experienced strong demand through Digital Ally's flexible subscription payment plans. With 3-year and 5-year subscription options available, there have been more than 200 subscription agreements since launch in early 2020.

| CERN and automotive safety software company Zenseact team up to enable self-driving cars to make faster decisions and avoid collisions

According to foreign media reports, in order to promote the development of this technology, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the automotive safety software company Zenseact completed a three-year machine learning model research project aimed at making self-driving cars faster. Make better decisions to avoid collisions.

Image source: Zenseact

CERN needs to make efficient decisions quickly when capturing data from collisions while analyzing the collisions of millions of particles produced in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) detectors. With their advantages in data analysis, CERN and Zenseact are working together to study the application of machine learning technology in high-energy physics institutions in the field of autonomous driving. The two parties focus on "computer vision" that helps cars analyze and respond to their external environment, making deep learning technology faster and more accurate.

Christoffer Petersson, Research Director at Zenseact, said: “Deep learning has dramatically transformed computer vision over the past decade, with image recognition applications reaching unprecedented levels of accuracy. But our findings with CERN show that it has a significant impact on self-driving cars. There is still room for improvement in the field." To handle computer vision tasks, the researchers used well-known field-programmable gate array (FPGA) chips as a hardware benchmark. FPGAs, which have been used by CERN for many years, are configurable integrated circuits that can execute complex decision-making algorithms in microseconds.

The researchers found that more functionality can be packed into FPGAs by optimizing existing resources. The best result is that tasks can be executed with high accuracy and short latency even on processing units with limited computational resources. CERN physicist Maurizio Pierini said: "This collaboration illustrates the compression technology in FPGAs, which may also have a significant impact on improving the processing efficiency of the Large Hadron Collider data center. As machine learning platforms prepare for next-generation solutions This research lays the foundation for a program that may make significant contributions to other fields such as high energy physics in the future. ”

The same technology can also be used to improve algorithm efficiency while maintaining accuracy across a wide range of domains, from energy efficiency gains in data centers to cell screening for medical applications. (Gasgoo Auto News)