At the 2025 EMVA Business Conference, STMicroelectronics’ Marie-Charlotte Leclerc delivered a compelling call to action: “We’re not just capturing images anymore—we’re sensing the world in real time.” In her talk titled “Revolutionizing Vision Sensing: New Directions in Industrial & Consumer Imaging,” Leclerc laid out ST’s roadmap for the future of machine vision, and how embedded intelligence is about to redefine what it means for a device to “see.”
From Imaging to Sensing: The Vision Evolution
STMicroelectronics, a $13.3B global semiconductor leader, has been a key player in the imaging world for decades—from developing early CMOS camera chips in the 1980s to dominating the mobile phone camera market in the 2000s.
But Leclerc made it clear: today’s frontier is no longer just about imaging. It’s about sensing—smart, contextual, and embedded. Devices must now process visual information instantly, on-device, without needing to send data to the cloud. This shift is at the heart of ST’s strategy.
“We’re entering a new era where imaging becomes intelligent sensing,” Leclerc told attendees.
The Rise of Embedded Vision
The numbers back her up:
- 8 billion new embedded cameras are forecasted to be deployed in devices over the next 4 years.
- 200 million cameras will be embedded in AR/VR headsets annually by 2028.
- The robotics market is growing at over 20% annually, with vision systems as a key driver.
Whether it’s drones, autonomous vehicles, warehouse robots, or next-gen consumer wearables, embedded vision is fast becoming the default—and STMicroelectronics is focused on powering that shift.
Smarter Vision, Closer to the Edge
Traditional cameras capture images. ST’s new generation of smart sensors interprets what it sees—immediately and locally.
Examples shared by Leclerc include:
- Gesture control powered by Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors
- Eye and motion tracking with reduced power consumption using vector data
- Scene awareness for XR devices, enabling real-time interactions without offloading data to the cloud
This move toward context-aware, energy-efficient edge AI aligns with broader tech trends: reducing latency, improving privacy, and enabling autonomy.
Open Tools for Fast Deployment
To make this technology accessible, ST is also focused on democratizing development.
Their toolset includes:
- Open-source software and drivers
- Ready-to-use “promodule” camera kits (sensor + optics + housing)
- Pretrained AI models for plug-and-play use
- A robust ecosystem of design and manufacturing partners
Whether you’re a startup or an OEM, ST aims to cut the learning curve and time-to-market for building intelligent vision into products.
“Developers shouldn’t need to be sensor experts,” Leclerc emphasized. “We make it easy to integrate vision where it’s never been before.”
A Vision for Every Device
Leclerc’s closing message was visionary—literally.
From robotics to healthcare, from augmented reality to consumer wearables, ST believes machine vision is no longer just a factory tool. It’s becoming a universal technology layer—compact, efficient, and intuitive enough for any connected device.
“The future isn’t about adding a camera—it’s about giving machines eyes, brains, and the ability to make decisions.”
Final Takeaways
- Machine vision is evolving into embedded, real-time sensing.
- Edge AI and miniaturization are enabling a wave of new applications in consumer and industrial markets.
- STMicroelectronics is offering open platforms and ready-to-use hardware/software kits to accelerate adoption.
- The next generation of devices—from robots to wearables—will all see and sense the world intelligently.
Want to Learn More?
🔗 STMicroelectronics Embedded Vision Platform
🔗 EMVA Conference Highlights
🔗 Read more machine vision trends
About: STMicroelectronics in Grenoble, France, is one of the company’s most important R&D and innovation hubs. Situated in the heart of Europe’s “Silicon Valley”—the Grenoble-Isère technology cluster—ST’s presence there plays a central role in advancing microelectronics, imaging, MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems), and embedded AI.
What ST Does in Grenoble:
- R&D Center of Excellence: Focused on cutting-edge research in imaging sensors, embedded systems, photonics, and edge AI.
- MEMS and Imaging Development: Grenoble leads global development for ST’s Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors, gesture recognition systems, and 3D imaging technologies.
- Collaboration Hub: ST partners with local institutions like CEA-Leti, Minatec, and Grenoble INP, creating a deep innovation ecosystem.
- Sustainable Tech Development: Grenoble also plays a role in developing low-power technologies and sustainable semiconductor manufacturing processes.
Highlights:
- Employs thousands of engineers and researchers at the Grenoble site.
- Hosts ST’s Imaging Division, which has contributed major innovations in automotive sensors, industrial vision, and consumer AR/VR.
- Key location for European Union-funded research projects in AI, IoT, and Industry 4.0.
Strategic Importance:
ST’s Grenoble operation isn’t just a regional base—it’s a global innovation engine. Many of the technologies now embedded in smartphones, smart cameras, and autonomous systems worldwide have their roots in this Alpine tech hub.
