OmniVision and SMI Unveil Intuitive Virtual Reality Experience

LAS VEGAS, January 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

- With High Frame Rate, Small Size and Low Power Consumption, OmniVision's OVM6211 and SMI's Eye Tracking Platform Are Ready for VR and AR Volume Markets 

OmniVision's global shutter CameraCubeChip^[TM] will be integrated into SMI's virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) eye tracking platform as part of an alliance that aspires to shape the future of the sector.

In a joint announcement today, coinciding with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: OVTI), a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, and SensoMotoric Instruments GmbH (SMI), a world leader in eye tracking technology, said that the use of one of the industry's smallest global shutter camera solutions will enable SMI's eye tracking platform to deliver high frame rates and low latency, enabling real-time, intuitive, and hands-free VR and AR experiences in devices such as VR headsets and smart glasses.

"Previously we have integrated OmniVision's sensors to create unique reference designs for desktop, mobile, and wearable VR and AR with exceptional results. By leveraging OmniVision's latest sensor technology, we are able to offer an extremely compact, robust and fast eye tracking platform that can be easily integrated into a wide range of displays," said Christian Villwock, director of SMI's OEM Solutions Business. "The combination of high performance and low power consumption in the OVM6211 aligns precisely with our advanced eye-tracking technology, and is critical in pushing the frontiers of natural user interfaces."

Will Foote, OmniVision's partnership manager, added: "As the demand for VR and AR headsets increases rapidly, not only for gaming devices but also for professional, enterprise, academic and wider consumer applications, the availability of intuitive, hands-free user interfaces can become critical. We are excited to work alongside SMI, an industry leader of nearly 25 years, and help shape the future of this rapidly growing market segment."

Using OmniVision's 3 micron OmniPixel3-GS^[TM] global shutter pixel, the OVM6211 features high sensitivity in near infrared (NIR) wavelengths, minimizing the required power budget of the NIR light source. The OVM6211captures full resolution (400x400 pixels) video at 120 frames per second. OmniVision's CameraCubeChip^[TM] technology enables the OVM6211's extremely compact form factor of just 3.23 x 3.23 x 3.92 mm, making it ideal for space constrained devices.

SMI's "works with everyone" eye tracking platform is proven for VR/AR applications, streaming highly accurate eye tracking data such as gaze vector and 3D eyeball position. It is calibration-free for quick and easy setup and has fully automatic slip compensation, allowing users to move or take the headset on or off without any impact on data robustness.

About OmniVision 

OmniVision Technologies (NASDAQ: OVTI) is a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions. Its award-winning CMOS imaging technology enables superior image quality in many of today's consumer and commercial applications, including mobile phones, notebooks, tablets and webcams, digital still and video cameras, security and surveillance, entertainment devices, automotive and medical imaging systems. Find out more at http://www.ovt.com.  

About SMI 

SensoMotoric Instruments (SMI) is a world leader in eye tracking technology, developing and marketing eye & gaze tracking systems for scientists and professionals, OEM and medical solutions for a wide range of applications. Find out more at http://www.smivision.com. Follow @SMIeyetracking on Facebook, Flickr, YouTube and Twitter.

Safe-Harbor Language  

Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the expected benefits, performance, capabilities, and potential market appeal of the OVM6211 and/or systems incorporating the OVM6211 are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties, which could cause the forward-looking statements and OmniVision's results to differ materially, include, without limitation: potential errors, design flaws or other problems with OVM6211 and/or systems incorporating the OVM6211, customer acceptance, demand, and other risks detailed from time to time in OmniVision's Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, OmniVision's annual report filed on Form 10-K and quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q. OmniVision expressly disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement. 

OmniVision® and the OmniVision logo are registered trademarks of OmniVision Technologies, Inc. OmniPixel3-GS™ and CameraCubeChip™ are trademarks of OmniVision Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 

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Media Contacts

For SMI:  

Stefanie Gehrke, +49(0)172-3808-537, stefanie.gehrke@smi.de

For Omnivision:  

Cameron Crowe, Impress Labs, +1-415-735-8420, cameron@impresslabs.com

Scott Foster, OmniVision Technologies, +1-408-567-3077, sfoster@ovt.com