SANTA CLARA, Calif. — September 22, 2009 — OMNIVISION Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OVTI), a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, today announced its AutoVision image sensors have been selected by Altek Corporation, a leading Taiwanese imaging systems provider. Altek chose OMNIVISION’s sensors for its Eagle View 360 degree surround viewer and lane departure warning system (LDWS), two of the automotive industry’s most sought after driver assistance applications. Altek’s Eagle View system is already being implemented by a large Asian automotive OEM.
The automotive-qualified Eagle View vision system provides true 360-degree coverage of the area around a vehicle. Multiple AutoVision CMOS cameras installed around the vehicle’s perimeter provide real-time video images of the vehicle’s surroundings. The Eagle View system, which is a virtual top-down projection system, will then process and synthesize these video images and provide a clear 360-degree view on the vehicle’s surroundings. The system also allows drivers to switch to rear view camera mode when reversing the vehicle.
Altek’s camera-based LDWS utilizes OMNIVISION’s automotive grade CMOS image sensors mounted behind the windshield or rear view mirror of the vehicle to continuously track visible lane markings. The control unit monitors the roadway traffic control lines with image recognition software to calculate the lateral and angular divergence from the lane’s center. The LDWS then estimates the vehicle’s future position through sophisticated algorithms. If the driver fails to use the turn signal and the data suggests the vehicle is leaving its intended path, the system alerts the driver via an audio and visual warning on the vehicle’s instrument panel.
“Our innovative 360 degree Eagle View system and LDWS significantly improve drivers’ ability to react under a variety of driving conditions. Altek will partner with different global auto makers to make the cutting edge technology available to drivers,” said Martin Liu, Altek Corporation’s spokesperson. “OMNIVISION provided the ideal solution with their complete line of automotive-grade AutoVision solutions combined with unprecedented customer support.”
“OMNIVISION’s specialized automotive sensors are specifically targeted at innovative and demanding applications such as Altek’s latest driver assistance solutions,” said Inayat Khajasha, senior marketing manager for Global Automotive Marketing at OMNIVISION. “Altek’s automotive system design expertise, coupled with OMNIVISION’s automotive sensors, will provide the vivid imaging required to facilitate enhanced driver assistance.”
Demand for Driver Assistance Applications on the Rise
Through improvements in the quality and reliability of electronic components, driver assistance-related imaging applications are becoming mainstream in today’s vehicles. According to leading third-party market research firm Techno Systems Research (TSR), the percentage of integrated vehicle cameras using CMOS sensors is projected to increase from around 20 percent in 2008 to more than 70 percent in 2013.
OMNIVISION Solutions for Automotive
OMNIVISION is the leading provider of CMOS imaging solutions to the automotive industry with over 50 percent market share* and a proven track record in delivering innovative solutions specifically designed to serve the unique requirements of the automotive industry. At the forefront of innovation and industry expertise, OMNIVISION’s rich portfolio of AutoVision solutions provides today’s automotive designers with the industry’s broadest selection of sensors, evaluation kits, and development platforms, enabling faster time-to-market and substantially reduced system costs for both display based and machine vision applications.
Altek Video Demonstrations
To see short videos showing Altek’s Eagle View, LDWS and Rear-View Cameras in operation, please click here: http://www.altek.com.tw/Product/Product.aspx?id=4.
About Altek
Altek Corporation (stock code: 3059.TT) was established in 1996 with a focus on digital still camera research, development and manufacturing. In 2008, Altek became the “Global No.1 DSC ODM (Original Design Manufacturer)”. In addition, the Company is actively developing products in the fields of autotronics, optical-zoom DSC phones, camera modules, opto-medical equipment, GPS cameras, etc., with an aim to comprehensively expand the scope of application of their core imaging expertise.
For more information about Altek, please visit http://www.altek.com.tw. Regarding autotronics design and service, please contact: AUTO_Sales@altek.com.tw
*Source: TSR, June 2009 CCD/CMOS Image Sensor Market Analysis
Safe-Harbor Language
Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the expected benefits, performance and capabilities of AutoVision automotive-grade solutions 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 AutoVision automotive-grade solutions including 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.