Company

On May 18, 2005, IMS VISION GmbH was officially purchased by Omron Corporation, Japan. The new company, OMRON Automotive Electronics Technology GmbH, will continue to further the development of HDRC^® technology, bringing the best in CMOS image sensors to the automotive and non-automotive industries. Previously a joint venture between IMS Institute and Omron, OMRON Automotive Electronics Technology GmbH is now 100% owned by Omron Corporation and will continue to operate in Stuttgart, Germany. Production of HDRC^® image sensors will continue as scheduled, and the first products will be available by the end of 2005.

Omron Automotive Electronics Technology GmbH started business in Weißensberg as a branch of the Japanese group Omron on 1st November 2005.
Trading under the name “Omron Automotive Electronics Technology GmbH”, the Japanese group Omron established its development of driver assistance systems based on image processing and infrared technology.

The main Managing Director is Mr Makoto Utena, who also manages the business for the Stuttgart head office. There he is supported by the General Manager Timo Feuchter, with his experience in electronic and hardware development. With his many years of experience in the automotive industry, Vice President Georg-Otto Geduld supports him in his work in Lindau.

Omron Automotive Electronics Technology in Lindau/Weißensberg complements the hardware activities of the Stuttgart head office. By developing environmental sensors using image processing and infrared sensors for driver assistance systems, it intends to remain the leader in its field.
It is a development centre which focuses on the development of software for driver assistance systems that work on a camera and LIDAR basis. Thanks to tried and tested LIDAR technology, which is currently the global leader for “Adaptive Cruise Control” and is successfully used in advanced safety functions, the investors of the parent company are certain that they will also become leaders in the field of camera-based technology in the near future.
The range of functions of this technology comprehends:

Detection of oncoming vehicles or vehicles that are driving ahead to provide assistance in choosing long-distance lights or dipped headlights

Recognition of tunnel entrances and exits in order to control light and ventilation functions

Recognition of traffic signs in order to warn the driver of unintentionally exceeding the speed limit

Calculation of a justifiable maximum speed in cases of visual restriction due to fog or other environmental influences

Recognition and measurement of parking areas to provide assistance for drive in parking spaces or for parallel parking

Recognition and classification of road-users in order to safeguard blind spots or pulling out procedures

Pedestrian recognition for safer vehicles

In keeping with their previous concept, the company will primarily concentrate on the automotive supplier market where it will be marketing its intelligent sensor products.

Omron Automotive Electronics Technology GmbH is currently in the process of being set up and has doubled its number of employees in Stuttgart and Lindau in 2006.

What is HDRC^®?

HDRC^®, High Dynamic Range CMOS, is the latest technology in CMOS image sensors. HDRC^® sensors are highly effective in extremely low light conditions as well as intensely backlit settings. Our revolutionary technology overcomes the limitations of even the most advanced CCD technology.

Background

IMS Vision GmbH was founded in July 2002 through a joint venture between OMRON CORPORATION, JAPAN and the Institute for Microelectronics Stuttgart (IMS). IMS Vision combines OMRON’s commitment to meet the demands of the market through its highly effective services and products with the proprietary technology of HDRC^® sensors developed by IMS.

Company

What is HDRC®?

Background

What is HDRC^®?