Qualcomm debuts SoCs designed specifically for smart cameras

Putting its flagship Snapdragon brand name aside, Qualcomm has introduced a new line of chips designed specifically for smart cameras. The new product line is called the Vision Intelligence Platform.

The first two system-on-chips (SoCs) announced are QCS605 and QCS603. They are built based on a core ARM processor architecture and come with Qualcomm’s AI engine and image signal processor. They also include the company’s advanced camera processing, machine learning and computer vision software development kits (SDKs).

Custom-made for cameras, Qualcomm gave examples on applications from the new SoCs, including sports cameras, security cameras, 360-degree cameras and robots that need to navigate the environment around.

The new chips support 4K video, multiple video streaming at lower resolutions, 360-video stitching, WQHD displays, obstacle avoidance and create video highlights for action cameras. The chips are designed for Wi-Fi cameras, and the new LTE radio is not supported.

End products will vary depending on manufacturers, who will decide how to take advantages of the new chips. Qualcomms’ offering makes it easier to implement the chips and provide a power efficient solution.

The Vision Intelligence Platform is introduced after Qualcomm announced Wireless Edge Services, a set of chips and software services for edge computing in the IoT. It shows that the company wants to offer flexible solutions for its customers, and allows them to process and analyze data locally.

The company released chips with the Snapdragon name for smart cameras before, which is used in the Nest Cam IQ. It was the first time Qualcomm offered chips specifically for smart cameras.

Companies including Ricoh Theda, Kedacom and Altek, have begun to integrate the chips into their IoT devices. Qualcomm expects to see end products in the market with the new 605 and 603 chips in the second half of this year.