OmniVision and SMI Unveil Intuitive Virtual Reality Experience

OmniVision and SMI Unveil Intuitive Virtual Reality Experience

LAS VEGAS, January 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

    - With High Frame Rate, Small Size and Low Power Consumption, OmniVision's OVM6211 and
SMI's Eye Tracking Platform Are Ready for VR and AR Volume Markets 

    OmniVision's global shutter CameraCubeChip[TM] will be integrated into SMI's virtual
reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) eye tracking platform as part of an alliance that
aspires to shape the future of the sector.

    In a joint announcement today, coinciding with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in
Las Vegas, OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: OVTI), [http://ovt.com ] a leading
developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, and SensoMotoric Instruments GmbH (SMI),
[http://www.smivision.com/oem-eye-tracking ] a world leader in eye tracking technology,
said that the use of one of the industry's smallest global shutter camera solutions will
enable SMI's eye tracking platform to deliver high frame rates and low latency, enabling
real-time, intuitive, and hands-free VR and AR experiences in devices such as VR headsets
and smart glasses.

    "Previously we have integrated OmniVision's sensors to create unique reference designs
for desktop, mobile, and wearable VR and AR with exceptional results. By leveraging
OmniVision's latest sensor technology, we are able to offer an extremely compact, robust
and fast eye tracking platform that can be easily integrated into a wide range of displays,
" said Christian Villwock, director of SMI's OEM Solutions Business. "The combination of
high performance and low power consumption in the OVM6211 aligns precisely with our
advanced eye-tracking technology, and is critical in pushing the frontiers of natural user
interfaces."

    Will Foote, OmniVision's partnership manager, added: "As the demand for VR and AR
headsets increases rapidly, not only for gaming devices but also for professional,
enterprise, academic and wider consumer applications, the availability of intuitive,
hands-free user interfaces can become critical. We are excited to work alongside SMI, an
industry leader of nearly 25 years, and help shape the future of this rapidly growing
market segment."

    Using OmniVision's 3 micron OmniPixel3-GS[TM] global shutter pixel, the OVM6211
features high sensitivity in near infrared (NIR) wavelengths, minimizing the required
power budget of the NIR light source. The OVM6211captures full resolution (400x400 pixels)
video at 120 frames per second. OmniVision's CameraCubeChip[TM] technology enables the
OVM6211's extremely compact form factor of just 3.23 x 3.23 x 3.92 mm, making it ideal for
space constrained devices.

    SMI's "works with everyone" eye tracking platform is proven for VR/AR applications,
streaming highly accurate eye tracking data such as gaze vector and 3D eyeball position.
It is calibration-free for quick and easy setup and has fully automatic slip compensation,
allowing users to move or take the headset on or off without any impact on data
robustness.

    About OmniVision 

    OmniVision Technologies (NASDAQ: OVTI) is a leading developer of advanced digital
imaging solutions. Its award-winning CMOS imaging technology enables superior image
quality in many of today's consumer and commercial applications, including mobile phones,
notebooks, tablets and webcams, digital still and video cameras, security and surveillance,
entertainment devices, automotive and medical imaging systems. Find out more at
http://www.ovt.com.  

    About SMI 

    SensoMotoric Instruments (SMI) is a world leader in eye tracking technology,
developing and marketing eye & gaze tracking systems for scientists and professionals, OEM
and medical solutions for a wide range of applications. Find out more at
http://www.smivision.com. Follow @SMIeyetracking on Facebook
[https://www.facebook.com/smieyetracking ], Flickr
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/smieyetracking ], YouTube
[https://www.youtube.com/user/smieyetracking ] and Twitter
[https://twitter.com/SMIEyeTracking ].

    Safe-Harbor Language  

    Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the expected
benefits, performance, capabilities, and potential market appeal of the OVM6211 and/or
systems incorporating the OVM6211 are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks
and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties, which could cause the forward-looking
statements and OmniVision's results to differ materially, include, without limitation:
potential errors, design flaws or other problems with OVM6211 and/or systems incorporating
the OVM6211, customer acceptance, demand, and other risks detailed from time to time in
OmniVision's Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not
limited to, OmniVision's annual report filed on Form 10-K and quarterly reports filed on
Form 10-Q. OmniVision expressly disclaims any obligation to update information contained
in any forward-looking statement. 

    OmniVision(R) and the OmniVision logo are registered trademarks of OmniVision
Technologies, Inc. OmniPixel3-GS(TM) and CameraCubeChip(TM) are trademarks of OmniVision
Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 

                                         #   #   #

    Media Contacts

    For SMI:  

    Stefanie Gehrke, +49(0)172-3808-537, stefanie.gehrke@smi.de

    For Omnivision:  

    Cameron Crowe, Impress Labs, +1-415-735-8420, cameron@impresslabs.com

    Scott Foster, OmniVision Technologies, +1-408-567-3077, sfoster@ovt.com

SensoMotoric Instruments GmbH (SMI)