STMicroelectronics and Leopard Imaging have unveiled a vision module for humanoid and advanced robots. The new module combines a camera, distance measuring, and motion sensors to enable robots to perceive their surroundings and movements simultaneously, and is configured to connect directly to an NVIDIA Jetson-based development environment.

ST and Leopard Imaging announced on March 23 that they had unveiled this module. According to the announcement, the product supports plug-and-play connectivity with the Jetson platform via the NVIDIA Holoscan Sensor Bridge and also works with the NVIDIA Isaac open robot development platform.

Technically, it is equipped with ST’s automotive-grade 5.1-megapixel RGB-IR image sensor VB1940, a 6-axis IMU LSM6DSV16X, and a dToF LiDAR module VL53L9CX. This enables 2D image recognition, 3D depth measurement, and motion detection to be processed within a single module. The VL53L9CX supports distance measurement up to 9m and 54×42 zone resolution, focusing on detecting both near and far objects.

This module provides not only sensor data collection but also APIs, sample applications, AI algorithms for mobile robots, and a simulation environment that includes sensor models. Designed to enable seamless training, verification, and transition to real-world environments during the development phase, it places emphasis on reducing the burden of integration compared to the existing method of connecting individual sensors separately.

Applications are not limited to humanoids. ST explained that the use of robots is expanding in manufacturing and automotive plants, logistics and warehouses, and retail and customer service. As robots must simultaneously handle line of sight, distance perception, and posture determination to operate around humans, the demand for multi-sensor integration is also expected to grow.

This announcement aligns with the industry trend of seeking to improve the efficiency of sensor combinations and real-world verification during the robot development process. ST continues its strategy of integrating sensors, actuators, drivers, and development tools into the robotics ecosystem, and this module is interpreted as an integrated development solution for the vision sector. The industry is paying attention to the potential for expanding its scope of application as a means to reduce sensor integration and verification time in robot development.