Sony Unveils RGB‑IR Sensor as the next step in automotive safety and in‑car monitoring technology. The new IMX775 chip integrates both full‑color (RGB) and near‑infrared (NIR) imaging on a single sensor, enabling high‑precision driver and passenger recognition even under low light. This innovation streamlines cabin monitoring systems, improves reliability, and pushes forward the adoption of smarter in‑vehicle safety systems.
1. What are the key features of the sensor when Sony Unveils RGB‑IR Sensor?
When Sony Unveils RGB‑IR Sensor, the IMX775 stands out with a compact 2.1 µm pixel size, approximately 5 effective megapixels, and dual RGB + NIR imaging capabilities on a single chip. Sony Semiconductor+2PR Newswire+2
It uses Sony’s proprietary pixel architecture to maximize near‑infrared sensitivity (35% quantum efficiency at 940 nm) while maintaining strong RGB dynamic range. PR Newswire+1
A hybrid rolling + global shutter approach supports up to 110 dB of RGB dynamic range, and an algorithmic NIR removal system ensures clean color reproduction even when IR light is present. PR Newswire+2Sony Semiconductor+2
These features allow the sensor to function reliably even in challenging lighting deep shadows, glare, or nighttime conditions which are essential within vehicle cabins.
2. How does Sony Unveils RGB‑IR Sensor improve driver and passenger monitoring?
Sony Unveils RGB‑IR Sensor enables real‑time detection of driver gaze, head pose, blinking, posture, seatbelt status, and occupant presence, using both visible and IR data. PR Newswire+1
Because the sensor integrates NIR sensitivity, monitoring persists even in darkness or dim lighting. The sensor can recognize driver attention even when the cabin is under low illumination. PR Newswire+1
By combining RGB and IR on one chip, vehicle systems can avoid using multiple cameras (one for RGB, another for IR), reducing complexity, cost, and calibration burdens. Take a look about HP Unveils 49‑Inch Curved Ultrawide Monitor with Built‑In Pop‑Up Webcam
3. What technical trade‑offs and innovations are involved in the IMX775 design?
Packing both RGB and NIR into 2.1 µm pixels is a major challenge. Sony solves this via a pyramid pixel structure that enhances light diffraction and absorption to maintain high quantum efficiency. PR Newswire+2Sony Semiconductor+2
The hybrid shutter scheme (rolling + global) helps capture dynamic scenes while controlling noise and artifacts in both RGB and IR domains. Sony Semiconductor+2PR Newswire+2
To prevent IR light from contaminating RGB channels, an onboard signal processing algorithm removes IR components from RGB pixels. That balance is essential so colors stay true under mixed illumination. PR Newswire+1
These innovations enable the sensor to maintain strong image quality under wide dynamic range conditions inside cars.
4. How does Sony’s offering compare to other RGB‑IR sensors in the automotive space?
Sony’s IMX775 competes with sensors like OMNIVISION’s OX05B1S and other RGB‑IR designs. OMNIVISION’s sensor uses 2.2 µm pixels and global shutter, and boasts strong IR sensitivity and integrated cybersecurity. OMNIVISION+1
Other firms, like GEO Semiconductor, have built solutions by combining existing RGB‑IR sensors and ISPs (image signal processors) to support cabin systems. Business Wire
Compared to those, Sony Unveils RGB‑IR Sensor offers one of the smallest pixels (2.1 µm) and aims for high IR sensitivity, which may give it an edge in compact module design and low‑light performance.
5. What are the expected production timeline and automotive qualifications?
Sony plans mass production of the IMX775 in Spring 2026. Sony Semiconductor+2PR Newswire+2
Sony will seek AEC‑Q100 Grade 2 qualification and adhere to ISO 26262 for functional safety, aiming to meet ASIL‑B requirements. Sony Semiconductor+1
These certifications are crucial to integrate the sensor into real automotive systems where reliability, safety, and robustness are mandatory.
6. What real use cases will benefit most from Sony Unveils RGB‑IR Sensor?
- Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS): detecting distraction, drowsiness, gaze to mitigate accidents.
- Occupant Monitoring (OMS): verifying presence, seating position, safety compliance (belt use).
- Cabin state awareness: such as cabin lighting adjustments, smart HVAC, and cabin personalization depending on the occupant’s posture or behavior.
- Regulatory compliance: as laws evolve, vehicles may be required to monitor occupant safety and behavior more strictly.
Because the sensor works in low light and combines RGB + IR imaging, it is well-suited for these varied in‑vehicle tasks where consistent performance matters.
7. What challenges must automakers and tier‑1 suppliers address when adopting this sensor?
Integration complexity: combining sensor, optics, image signal processor, calibration across modules.
Thermal management: sensors in a confined cabin space can heat up, affecting performance.
Algorithm robustness: ensuring false positives/negatives (e.g., misinterpreting shadows, reflections) are minimized across lighting conditions.
Regulatory and privacy challenges: capturing in‑cabin video and behavior data raises privacy and legal concerns.
Cost constraints: while combining RGB & IR helps, overall BOM (bill of materials) and module cost must stay manageable.
8. How will this sensor influence the broader trend in vehicle safety and smart cabins?
Sony Unveils RGB‑IR Sensor signals a push toward unified perception systems inside vehicles. Rather than separate sensors for occupant and driver monitoring, one chip can handle both tasks.
As automated driving (Level 3/4) grows, cabin awareness becomes critical knowing where occupant heads are, whether someone is asleep or alert, seating posture, etc.
This sensor may accelerate adoption of smarter, responsive cabins that adapt to occupant behavior, improving safety, comfort, and user experience.
9. What guidelines should OEMs follow to get maximum benefit from this sensor?
Use optics and lens design tailored to IR & RGB balance to prevent aberrations or distortions in NIR mode.
Design efficient ISP pipelines tuned for both RGB and NIR frames, with fast switching or context selection.
Implement fail‑safe modes (e.g. fallback IR-only in total darkness).
Develop privacy‑aware data handling, such as anonymization or local-only processing, to address occupant privacy.
Test extensively across real cabin lighting scenarios (sun glare, shadows, interior lighting) to validate reliability.
10. Which future developments could extend the impact of Sony Unveils RGB‑IR Sensor?
Higher resolution RGB‑IR sensors (beyond 5 MP) may enable better detail and recognition performance.
Further miniaturization: pushing pixel sizes below 2.1 µm while preserving sensitivity.
On‑sensor AI: embedding lightweight neural networks directly in the sensor to reduce processing load downstream.
Expansion to other use cases: body pose recognition for gesture control in cabins, smart infotainment, health monitoring via micro movements.
Broader adoption across automotive tiers as costs reduce and standards for cabin monitoring become more widespread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Will Sony Unveils RGB‑IR Sensor outperform existing IR-only cabin cameras?
Yes. Because it combines full RGB imaging with NIR capability, it offers color information plus robust low‑light detection in one device — whereas IR-only solutions lack true color data.
Q2: Can this sensor see through sunglasses or tinted glass?
It depends on the tint and IR blocking characteristics. Very heavy tinting or IR filters may reduce NIR effectiveness; sensor performance needs verification in those scenarios.
Q3: Does it support simultaneous RGB + IR output, or alternate capture frames?
The design uses a hybrid shutter and on-chip processing to allow both RGB and IR imaging, with signal processing to filter IR components from RGB channels. PR Newswire+2Sony Semiconductor+2
Q4: Is the sensor secure against tampering or spoofing?
Sony is planning optional cybersecurity support, such as camera authentication and image tampering detection. PR Newswire+1
Q5: Will this sensor be suitable for other industries (e.g. security, robotics)?
Potentially yes. Its dual RGB + NIR capability and compact form factor may make it useful for robotics, smart surveillance, or IoT systems, although optimized modules and support are needed.
