STMicroelectronics brings always-on vision to next-generation personal electronics with new ultralow-power image sensors

STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) introduced two ultralow‑power global‑shutter image sensors, VD55G4 (monochrome) and VD65G4 (RGB), for wearables, AR/VR, smart home and medical devices.

Rhea-AI Summary

STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) introduced two ultralow‑power global‑shutter image sensors, VD55G4 (monochrome) and VD65G4 (RGB), for wearables, AR/VR, smart home and medical devices. The sensors offer an always‑on detect‑and‑wake architecture, operate around ~800×700 at 10 fps, and can consume up to 10× less than conventional global‑shutter sensors.

They are produced on 300 mm wafers using a 3D‑stacked 65 nm / 40 nm process at ST Crolles and are available to early adopters with development boards, turnkey modules, SDKs, and platform drivers forthcoming.

Positive

• Ultralow power: consumes up to 10× less than conventional global‑shutter sensors
• Always‑on detect‑and‑wake architecture enabling event‑driven operation and longer battery life
• Produced on 300 mm wafers with 3D‑stacked 65 nm / 40 nm process at ST Crolles
• Companion ecosystem: development boards, turnkey modules, SDK, and platform drivers to accelerate designs

Negative

• Initial availability limited to early adopters, with no broad general availability date provided
• Operating example uses relatively low capture mode of ~800×700 at 10 fps, which may limit high‑resolution use cases

Argus Apr 28 session

-1.48% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – STM

On Apr 28, the day this news came out, STM closed 1.48% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Apr 28 session.

Key Figures

Operating resolution: 800×700 Frame rate: 10 frames per second Power reduction: Up to 10x less power +2 more

Operating resolution

800×700

Typical operating mode resolution for new sensors

Frame rate

10 frames per second

Typical operating mode frame rate

Power reduction

Up to 10x less power

Versus conventional global-shutter sensors

Wafer size

300 mm wafers

Manufacturing for VD55G4 and VD65G4 image sensors

Process nodes

65 nm / 40 nm

3D-stacked architecture process technologies

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Apr 23

5 events

1. Apr 23

   Investor webcast

   24h Move

   +10.8%

   Announcement of May 4 webcast on LEO opportunity with group president.

2. Apr 23

   Q1 2026 earnings

   24h Move

   +10.8%

   Reported Q1 2026 results, Q2 guidance, NXP MEMS acquisition and AWS engagement.

3. Mar 26

   AGM resolutions

   24h Move

   -1.1%

   Proposed 2026 AGM items including US$0.36 dividend and share programs.

4. Mar 23

   China production

   24h Move

   +2.6%

   Start of China-based volume production for STM32 microcontrollers with Huahong.

5. Mar 17

   AI power portfolio

   24h Move

   +1.0%

   Expanded 800 VDC datacenter power-conversion portfolio in collaboration with NVIDIA.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

global-shutter, microcontroller, ar/vr, xr, +4 more

8 terms

global-shutter technical

"These new global-shutter image sensors can consume up to 10x less..."

A global-shutter is a type of image sensor that captures every pixel in a frame at the exact same instant, preventing the skewing or wobble seen when fast motion is recorded. For investors, it matters because products using global-shutter sensors—from cars’ cameras to industrial and medical imaging—tend to offer more reliable, high-speed performance and can command premium prices or meet stricter safety and quality standards, affecting market demand and revenue potential.

microcontroller technical

"...interfaces optimized for low-power microcontrollers and cost-effective systems on chips..."

A microcontroller is a tiny, self-contained computer on a single chip that runs simple programs to control electronic devices — think of it as the device’s on-board brain that turns inputs (like a button press or sensor reading) into actions (like switching a motor or displaying information). It matters to investors because these chips are essential components in products from cars to appliances and industrial gear, so their availability, cost, and performance can directly affect a company’s production, margins and competitiveness.

ar/vr technical

"...for wearables, AR/VR, and smart devices..."

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are technologies that add digital content to your view of the real world (AR) or place you inside a fully computer-created environment (VR), like wearing smart glasses or stepping into a simulated room. They matter to investors because they create new ways to sell hardware, software, services, and advertising, and can change how people shop, learn, and work—driving potential revenue growth but also requiring heavy investment and adoption to pay off.

xr technical

"For AR/VR and XR headsets, they combine low power and high-quality capture..."

XR stands for extended‑release, a drug formulation designed to release its active ingredient slowly over an extended period instead of all at once. Think of it like a slow‑release fertilizer for the body: it can reduce how often patients need a dose and smooth side effects. For investors, XR versions can change sales patterns, patient adherence, regulatory review, and competitive positioning, so they can materially affect a product’s market value and revenue outlook.

iot technical

"In smart home appliances, IoT devices, and medical products, the sensors allow..."

The Internet of Things (IoT) describes a network of everyday devices—such as appliances, vehicles, and equipment—that are connected to the internet and can share data automatically. For investors, IoT represents a growing trend that can drive efficiency and innovation across many industries, potentially creating new opportunities for growth and value. Its expansion influences how companies operate and compete in a digitally connected world.

edge ai technical

"...bring embedded vision and edge AI into everyday devices..."

Edge AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that process data directly on local devices or nearby servers rather than sending information to distant data centers. This allows for faster decision-making and real-time responses, similar to how a home security camera can instantly detect motion without needing to connect to a remote server. For investors, edge AI represents a growing trend toward more efficient, responsive technology that can create new opportunities across various industries.

3d-stacked technical

"...produced on 300 mm wafers using a 3D‑stacked 65 nm / 40 nm architecture..."

3D-stacked describes electronic chips built by stacking multiple layers of circuitry vertically and connecting them so they work as a single unit. Like stacking pancakes with short bridges between layers, this approach packs more capability into a smaller area, often improving speed and energy use while reducing space on a device’s circuit board. Investors watch 3D-stacking because it can lower manufacturing costs, enable better product performance, and create competitive advantages or supply-chain risks for hardware makers.

software development kit technical

"...a software development kit to accelerate embedded vision projects."

A software development kit (SDK) is a prepared set of code, tools and instructions that lets other developers build apps or features that work with a company’s product or platform — like giving builders a branded toolbox and blueprint. Investors care because a widely used SDK can grow a product’s ecosystem, speed adoption, create ongoing revenue or lock in customers, and signal whether third parties find the platform easy and valuable to work with.

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STMicroelectronics brings always-on vision to next-generation personal electronics with new ultralow-power image sensors

• VD55G4 and VD65G4 extend the ST BrightSense portfolio with compact, ultralow-power, microcontroller-compatible sensors for wearables, AR/VR, and smart devices
• These new global-shutter image sensors can consume up to 10x less, in operating mode at around 800×700 resolution and 10 frames per second

Geneva, Switzerland — April 28, 2026 — STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, introduces a new generation of ultralow-power global-shutter image sensors that deliver high-quality, always-on vision to compact devices operating on batteries or harvested energy. The VD55G4 (monochrome) and VD65G4 (RGB color) sensors, part of the ST BrightSense portfolio, are now available to early adopters, enabling customers to start designing their next generation of smart, ultralow-power vision devices today.

Designed for the next wave of personal electronics and smart devices, the new sensors serve applications including wearables, AR/VR and XR headsets, smart home appliances and medical devices. They are engineered to deliver rich visual context and AI-ready data under tight constraints on power, size, and cost. The sensors combine an ultralow-power detect-and-wake architecture with a very small global-shutter optical format and interfaces optimized for low-power microcontrollers and cost-effective systems on chips (SoCs).

“Always‑on vision is becoming essential for the next generation of personal electronics, from smart glasses and AR/VR headsets to intelligent home appliances and medical devices. With VD55G4 and VD65G4, we are bringing this capability to smaller, lighter products that must run for a long time on a tiny battery. These new sensors help our customers create more intuitive and responsive experiences, extend battery life, and bring embedded vision and edge AI into everyday devices,” said Alexandre Balmefrezol, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Imaging Sub-Group at STMicroelectronics.

From wearables and AR/VR to smart appliances

VD55G4 and VD65G4 bring always‑on vision to products that must stay small, light, and extremely power‑efficient. Building on the ST BrightSense family, they add a color option, faster response for interactive use cases, and simple connectivity to low‑power microcontrollers, making it easier to add vision to space‑ and cost‑constrained designs.

In wearables, the sensors enable all‑day, always‑aware features such as glance detection, presence sensing, and contextual alerts, while fitting into very compact designs and working directly with microcontroller‑based platforms.

For AR/VR and XR headsets, they combine low power and high‑quality capture to support accurate tracking and spatial awareness, helping extend battery life without compromising comfort.

In smart home appliances, IoT devices, and medical products, the sensors allow more intelligence to run locally on the device itself, reducing cloud dependence and standby power. Their tiny size and energy efficiency also make them well suited to solar‑ or energy‑harvesting‑powered vision nodes.

Ultralow‑power design that consumes up to 10x less

Thanks to an optimized sensor architecture and dedicated always‑on mode, VD55G4 and VD65G4 can consume up to 10 times less power than conventional global‑shutter sensors. They can watch for changes in a scene and wake up the main processor only when needed, shifting from continuous streaming to event‑driven operation. This enables all‑day, always‑on experiences, longer battery life, and practical vision systems powered by small batteries or energy harvesting.

Their very small footprint and integrated image processing simplify design and reduce system cost, while supporting responsive, AI‑ready vision features in a wide range of edge devices.

Growing design ecosystem 

The VD55G4 (monochrome) and VD65G4 (RGB color) image sensors are produced on 300 mm wafers using a 3D‑stacked 65 nm / 40 nm architecture and in-house process and manufactured in ST Crolles plant.

ST is also offering the full companion ecosystem with multiple tools and resources, including:

• development boards for platforms such as STM32 and Raspberry Pi,
• turnkey camera modules,
• evaluation software, platform drivers,
• a software development kit to accelerate embedded vision projects.

These upcoming public resources will help designers quickly prototype and deploy always-on vision solutions with these new sensors.

Pricing information and sample requests are available from STMicroelectronics sales offices. Learn more about ST BrightSense portfolio at: www.st.com/industrial-consumer-cmos-image-sensors

About STMicroelectronics

At ST, we are 48,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are on track to be carbon neutral in all direct and indirect emissions (scopes 1 and 2), product transportation, business travel, and employee commuting emissions (our scope 3 focus), and to achieve our 100% renewable electricity sourcing goal by the end of 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.

For further information, please contact:

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Jérôme Ramel
EVP Corporate Development & Integrated External Communication
Tel: +41 22 929 59 20
jerome.ramel@st.com

MEDIA RELATIONS
Alexis Breton
Group VP Corporate External Communications
Tel: +33 6 59 16 79 08
alexis.breton@st.com

Attachments

• P4772D -- Apr 28 2026 -- New BrightSense image sensors_FINAL FOR PUBLICATION
• ST's new BrightSense image sensors

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What are the power benefits of STMicroelectronics VD55G4 and VD65G4 sensors (STM)?

They can consume up to 10× less power than conventional global‑shutter sensors. According to STMicroelectronics, an always‑on detect‑and‑wake architecture lets the sensor watch for scene changes and wake the main processor only when needed.

Which applications are the VD55G4 and VD65G4 image sensors (STM) designed for?

They target wearables, AR/VR/XR headsets, smart home appliances, IoT nodes, and medical devices. According to STMicroelectronics, the sensors are optimized for compact, battery‑constrained designs and energy‑harvesting vision nodes.

What image quality and capture mode do the VD55G4 and VD65G4 sensors support (STM)?

The sensors can operate around 800×700 at 10 frames per second in the described low‑power mode. According to STMicroelectronics, this mode supports event‑driven always‑on use and AI‑ready edge processing.

Where are the VD55G4 and VD65G4 sensors (STM) manufactured and what process is used?

They are produced at ST Crolles on 300 mm wafers using a 3D‑stacked 65 nm / 40 nm architecture. According to STMicroelectronics, this in‑house process supports the sensors' compact footprint and efficiency.

How can developers access samples, tools, and support for STM VD55G4 and VD65G4?

Pricing information and sample requests are available from STMicroelectronics sales offices. According to STMicroelectronics, development boards, turnkey camera modules, SDKs, and drivers will be offered to speed prototyping and deployment.