STMicroelectronics licences Varioptic liquid lenses

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Varioptic has signed a licencing agreement with STMicroelectronics, to provide liquid lenses for CMOS imaging products.

Under the terms of the agreement, STMicroelectronics will use Varioptic’s liquid lens technology to add auto-focus capability to a family of camera modules targeting the booming camera phone market. Additionally, ST will also be able to manufacture liquid lenses in its own facilities.

Varioptic’s liquid lens products include the current Arctic series (Arctic 320 and 416) as well as new thinner versions to be launched in the coming months.

Varioptic already has a long history of cooperation with STMicroelectronics, and are now focusing on high-resolution miniature camera modules for an improved digital camera experience, without the potential drawbacks of complex moving optics, such as reliability hazards, and high power consumption.

By combining their 1.75-micron sensor technology, Varioptic believe they can break current performance-cost frontiers and dramatically increase the adoption of autofocus in phones.