SmartSens Technology
SmartSens Technology is a Shanghai-headquartered, STAR Market-listed fabless designer of CMOS image sensors for security surveillance, automotive, smartphones, industrial, medical, and AI applications, with vertically integrated automotive vision processing AI SoCs via subsidiary Flyingchip.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersShanghai, China
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SmartSens Technology does
SmartSens Technology (上海证券交易所科创板代码688213) is a fabless CMOS image sensor (CIS) design house founded in 2011 and headquartered in Shanghai. The company designs and sells a comprehensive portfolio of image sensors spanning resolutions from 0.3MP to 200MP across six primary end markets: security surveillance (its founding segment and eight-consecutive-year #1 share position), automotive ADAS (AT/CARSens series up to 140dB dynamic range, ISO 26262 ASIL-B certified), smartphones (CS/HS/XS flagship series including 200MP sensors), industrial machine vision (GS/LA global shutter and linear arrays), medical imaging (ME series), and AI/metaverse (including AR/VR/MR via AI SoC products from subsidiary Flyingchip).
The technical foundation rests on proprietary pixel architectures: SFCPixel (Source Follower placed closer to PhotoDiode for higher sensitivity), PixGain HDR (dual conversion gain), Lofic HDR 3.0 (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor, up to 115dB single-exposure three-frame fusion), Lightbox IR (2x quantum efficiency at 850/940nm), SmartAOV 2.1 (always-on video for battery-powered cameras), and a BSI + Global Shutter integration for distortion-free high-speed capture. Through subsidiary Flyingchip (飞凌微电子), SmartSens has vertically integrated into automotive vision processing AI SoCs (M1 series with proprietary NPU for CNN inference), with M2 announced. The company has accumulated 550+ granted patents globally (270+ invention patents) and is the first Chinese CIS company featured at ISSCC.
The business model is a B2B direct sales organization targeting OEM manufacturers, with segmented sales contacts by application (security, automotive, mobile, machine vision). Products are sold as bare die/chips to OEMs in security camera, automotive Tier-1, smartphone, and industrial automation supply chains. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is custom-quoted by volume and specification. The company claims 350+ global customers and serves 200+ intelligent application terminal types. Geographic footprint spans China (HQ Shanghai, plus Shenzhen, Hefei, Hong Kong, Kunshan) and the United States (Santa Clara office under GM Tommy Wang). It went public on the Shanghai STAR Market in May 2022, and operates a high-speed optical interconnect business group (HOC) developing MicroLED CPO solutions for AI data centers, with a May 2026 strategic partnership with UNISOC (紫光展锐).
SmartSens Technology firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SmartSens Technology
- Legal name
- 思特威（上海）电子科技股份有限公司
- Website
- https://smartsenstech.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- SmartSens Technology is a Shanghai-headquartered, STAR Market-listed fabless designer of CMOS image sensors for security surveillance, automotive, smartphones, industrial, medical, and AI applications, with vertically integrated automotive vision processing AI SoCs via subsidiary Flyingchip.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SmartSens Technology industry classification
Industry- Product category
- CMOS Image Sensors (Semiconductor)
- NAICS
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)
- SIC
- Photographic Equipment & Supplies (3861), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Imaging Sensors (CMOS/CCD/ToF/Depth) (HDAHALAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Audio, Imaging & Multimedia SoCs (ISP/Codec/Display) (HDAHABAH), Automotive & Industrial-Grade IDMs (HDAHAAAI), Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs) (HDAHAAAH), Sensor Fusion, Interface ICs & Modules (AFE/Readout/Packaging/Calibration) (HDAHALAO)
Keywords
Where SmartSens Technology is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shanghai
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices6 records
Markets served
SmartSens Technology business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- CMOS Image Sensor Product Sales: SmartSens generates revenue primarily from the design, development, and sale of CMOS image sensor chips across multiple application segments. The company offers a comprehensive product portfolio including SC Series (legacy), AI/SL/IoT Series, AT Series (automotive), GS/LA Series (global shutter/linear), CS/HS/XS Series (smartphone), PC Series (laptops/tablets), ME Series (medical), and AI SoC series. Products are sold in chip form to OEM manufacturers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B direct sales - custom pricing based on volume, application, and specification requirements |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
SmartSens Technology product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SmartSens Technology designs, develops, and sells high-performance CMOS image sensor (CIS) chips for OEM manufacturers across security surveillance, automotive electronics, smartphones, industrial automation, AI/metaverse, medical imaging, and laptop/tablet applications. The company's portfolio spans 0.3MP to 200MP resolutions and includes proprietary pixel technologies (SFCPixel®, PixGain HDR®, Lofic HDR® 3.0, SmartAOV®, Lightbox IR®, BSI + Global Shutter). It also markets automotive vision processing SoCs through subsidiary Flyingchip (M1 series) and is developing MicroLED high-speed optical interconnect solutions for AI data centers.
Product overview
SmartSens Technology is a leading CMOS image sensor company offering comprehensive product lines across security surveillance (SC Series, AI/SL/IoT Series), automotive (AT Series with CARSens products), smartphones (CS/HS/XS Series with up to 200MP sensors), industrial automation (GS/LA Series with global shutter and linear sensors), medical (ME Series), and computing (PC Series). The company also operates through subsidiary Flyingchip for automotive vision processing AI SoCs (M1 series). Core technologies include SFCPixel, PixGain HDR, Lofic HDR 3.0, SmartAOV, Lightbox IR, and Global Shutter. The company is expanding into MicroLED high-speed optical interconnect technology for AI applications. Stock code: 688213 on Shanghai Stock Exchange.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Flyingchip (飞凌微): Automotive vision processing chip brand producing M1 series ISP chips and NPU solutions for intelligent driving systems
- SmartClarity
- CARSens
- SmartGS
Products and services
- SC Series CMOS Image Sensors (Security/Legacy) Legacy and mainstream CMOS image sensor product family serving security surveillance cameras, night-vision full-color imaging, perimeter monitoring, and access control. Forms the backbone of SmartSens' #1-ranked security CIS market share.
- AI/SL/IoT Series CMOS Image Sensors (Advanced Imaging, Starlight, IoT) Advanced imaging, ultra-starlight, and IoT-series CMOS image sensors based on SmartClarity-3 and DSI-3 platforms, incorporating SmartAOV® 2.1 always-on video for battery- and solar-powered cameras and 4G surveillance devices.
- AT Series Automotive CMOS Image Sensors (CARSens®) Automotive-grade CARSens® CMOS image sensors for ADAS front-view, 360° surround view, DMS, OMS, lane departure, blind spot detection, electronic mirrors (CMS), and intelligent transportation. ISO 26262 ASIL-B certified, with up to 140dB dynamic range and 0.58e- read noise.
- GS/LA Series Global Shutter and Linear Array Image Sensors (SmartGS™) Global shutter (SmartGS™ BSI + Global Shutter) and linear array image sensors for industrial automation, machine vision, UAVs, sweeping robots, smart logistics, biometric payment, and high-speed continuous material inspection. Achieves >99% shutter efficiency at up to 240fps and up to 150KHz line rate.
- CS/HS/XS Series Smartphone CMOS Image Sensors High-resolution (0.3MP to 200MP) smartphone CMOS image sensors for multi-camera systems including flagship main, telephoto, wide-angle, and front cameras supporting 4K 120-240fps video. Features Lofic HDR 3.0, PixGain HDR, SFCPixel, and AllPix ADAF.
- PC Series CMOS Image Sensors (Laptop and Tablet) CMOS image sensors optimized for built-in cameras in laptops, tablets, and similar computing devices.
- ME Series Medical-Grade CMOS Image Sensors Medical-grade CMOS image sensors for medical imaging devices and diagnostic equipment, currently including the SC1400ME 2MP sensor.
- Flyingchip M1 Series Automotive Vision Processing SoC Self-developed automotive vision processing SoC from subsidiary Flyingchip Microelectronics featuring proprietary NPU for CNN acceleration and high-performance ISP. Supports noise reduction, RGB-IR processing, multi-frame HDR, and LED flicker suppression for automotive camera systems including ADAS, DMS, OMS, and CMS.
- MicroLED High-Speed Optical Interconnect Solution (HOC Business Group) High-speed optical interconnect solution using MicroLED parallel architecture targeting AI data centers, intelligent driving, and high-end industrial vision. Operated via the dedicated High-Speed Optical Interconnect (HOC) Business Group, supporting 1Tbps+ bandwidth and 50%+ power reduction vs. laser solutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- SCC90XS 200MP sensor achieves up to 105dB dynamic range with Lofic HDR 3.0, 19dB higher than industry dual-frame HDR competitors
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use SmartSens Technology
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
SmartSens Technology technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature11 records
SmartSens Technology partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- UNISOC (紫光展锐)coreSmartSens and UNISOC formed a strategic partnership on May 26, 2026 to jointly develop high-speed MicroLED optical interconnect technology targeting AI computing clusters. The collaboration combines SmartSens' optical sensing and MicroLED array technologies with UNISOC's high-speed SerDes capabilities to create next-generation co-packaged optical (CPO) solutions balancing low power consumption, high bandwidth, and reliability. Target applications include AI data centers, intelligent driving assistance systems, and high-end industrial vision.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SmartSens Technology competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- STMicroelectronics: European semiconductor leader with an automotive image sensor and FlightSense product line. Comparable to SmartSens' automotive and machine vision segments, particularly for global Tier 1 and OEM customers, though ST's portfolio is much wider.
- onsemi (ON Semiconductor): Global semiconductor supplier with a growing automotive image sensor portfolio (Hyperlux series). Comparable to SmartSens' automotive AT series in addressing ADAS and in-cabin sensing, but onsemi is much broader (power, analog) and has stronger Western automotive Tier 1 relationships.
- Sony Semiconductor Solutions: Global #1 CIS supplier with the broadest portfolio spanning smartphone, automotive, industrial, and security. Directly comparable to SmartSens because both target the same image-sensor OEMs, but Sony's scale, premium-tier positioning, and process-node leadership exceed SmartSens' capabilities.
- Samsung System LSI (CIS Division): Samsung's CIS business supplies high-resolution smartphone sensors globally and increasingly targets automotive. Directly comparable to SmartSens' XS/HS/CS smartphone series and AT automotive series, with stronger foundry integration through Samsung's in-house fabs.
- Canon (CMOS Sensor Business): Japanese imaging giant with in-house CMOS sensor technology used primarily in its own cameras but also sold externally for industrial and security applications. Comparable to SmartSens' industrial and machine vision segments where both compete for high-resolution, high-quality imaging applications.
Direct peers
- OmniVision Technologies: Pure-play CMOS image sensor designer competing head-to-head with SmartSens across smartphone, automotive, security, and emerging AR/VR. Closest direct peer in product breadth, customer mix (Chinese OEMs especially), and target applications.
- GalaxyCore: Chinese CIS designer with comparable product portfolio spanning low-to-mid resolution smartphone, security, and IoT sensors. Directly comparable to SmartSens in target customers (Chinese OEMs), product overlap in security and entry-level smartphone CIS, and competitive positioning against Sony/Samsung in China.
Emerging players
- Himax Technologies: Taiwan-based fabless designer of display drivers and image sensors, particularly for AR/VR, wearable, and AI vision applications. Comparable to SmartSens' AI/Metaverse and CS smartphone segments, with overlapping exposure to Chinese and Taiwanese OEMs.
- ams OSRAM: European sensor specialist with global shutter, NIR, and 3D sensing (ToF) capabilities. Comparable to SmartSens' Lightbox IR (NIR), global shutter GS series, and emerging 3D/AR applications, with similar target customers in industrial and consumer sensing.
- PixelPlus: Smaller Korean CIS designer focused on security, surveillance, and automotive vision applications. Comparable to SmartSens' security surveillance core business and emerging automotive push, with similar customer profile of mid-tier OEMs and Tier 1s.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SmartSens Technology social profiles
Digital presenceSmartSens Technology compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
SmartSens Technology financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SmartSens Technology leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
SmartSens Technology subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
SmartSens Technology funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors15 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SmartSens Technology M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SmartSens Technology
What does SmartSens Technology do?
SmartSens Technology designs, develops, and sells high-performance CMOS image sensor (CIS) chips for OEM manufacturers across security surveillance, automotive electronics, smartphones, industrial automation, AI/metaverse, medical imaging, and laptop/tablet applications. The company's portfolio spans 0.3MP to 200MP resolutions and includes proprietary pixel technologies (SFCPixel®, PixGain HDR®, Lofic HDR® 3.0, SmartAOV®, Lightbox IR®, BSI + Global Shutter). It also markets automotive vision processing SoCs through subsidiary Flyingchip (M1 series) and is developing MicroLED high-speed optical interconnect solutions for AI data centers.
Is SmartSens Technology a public or private company?
SmartSens Technology is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was SmartSens Technology founded?
SmartSens Technology was founded in 2011. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is SmartSens Technology based?
SmartSens Technology is headquartered in Shanghai, China, in the Asia region.
How does SmartSens Technology make money?
One revenue line is on record: CMOS Image Sensor Product Sales.
Who are SmartSens Technology's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are STMicroelectronics, onsemi (ON Semiconductor), Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Samsung System LSI (CIS Division) and Canon (CMOS Sensor Business). Direct peers are OmniVision Technologies and GalaxyCore. Emerging players are Himax Technologies, ams OSRAM and PixelPlus.
Does SmartSens Technology have an API?
No public API is recorded for SmartSens Technology.
What industry is SmartSens Technology in?
SmartSens Technology's product category is CMOS Image Sensors (Semiconductor). Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHALAF, Imaging Sensors (CMOS/CCD/ToF/Depth), with a secondary code of HDAHABAH, Audio, Imaging & Multimedia SoCs (ISP/Codec/Display). Its NAICS code is 33451 and its SIC code is 3861.