Vivo unveils homegrown imaging chip

Chinese tech company Vivo is stepping up its push to grow its indigenous research and development, and has unveiled its self-designed Imaging Chip V1.

The V1 has been in development for 24 months, featuring the work of over 300 R&D personnel and imaging lab experts, Vivo said.

"V1 is a fully-customized integrated circuit chip dedicated for imaging and video applications with leading edge visual quality, marking a key milestone as Vivo's inaugural breakthrough in independent R&D and chip design," said Hu Baishan, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Vivo. "In line with Vivo's imaging system design, the Imaging Chip V1 can better serve user needs by optimizing smartphone application scenarios such as viewfinder look and video recording."

According to him, the company's approach toward spearheading innovative image processing technology at the chip level will mainly revolve around four strategic tracks: image system, operating system, industrial design and performance.

In Hu's view, Vivo will only consider developing chips with partners when there is a lack of supplied capability on the market suitable for the company's product and technical needs, along with substantial demand for fully customized chips to support these long-term strategic tracks.