CenturyArks is a company that contributes to society through optical technology. As a group of engineers with expertise in optical technology, they are passionate about manufacturing and provide unique product development and solutions that improve our customers’ businesses and lives, such as small cameras for smartphones, event-based vision cameras, and their application products.
Interview with Maki Yoshida, Marketing Manager at CenturyArks Co., Ltd
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Maki Yoshida: In addition to our core business of developing high-performance compact camera modules “CA378”, we have developed cameras and camera modules equipped with event-based vision sensors (EVS) and commercialized them as the “SilkyEvCam®” series. Event-based vision cameras (hereinafter referred to as event cameras) are neuromorphic cameras modeled after the structure of the human retina, producing output that responds only to changes in light intensity for each independent pixel. These are cutting-edge image sensors that output data using a completely different operating principle from conventional frame cameras, and we are developing the image processing technology for them.
Additionally, we develop cameras that combine the event camera with frame cameras using optical technology to output data from both sensors, as well as custom development and manufacturing to meet specific customer requirements.
What’s the latest news about new products/services?
M.Y: As a derivative product of the event camera SilkyEvCam®, we released “BothView®” last October. This product enables the simultaneous acquisition of event and frame data without parallax using a single lens. It was developed in response to requests from frame camera users. Until then, when customers wanted both the familiar frame-based images and event-based images, they had to install cameras in parallel and capture images separately. This inevitably led to parallax caused by differences in sensor positions and differences in field of view due to lens angles, resulting in significant effort and time required for image processing. As a result, the advantages of event cameras, such as capturing subtle movements of fast-moving objects with low data volume and low latency, were not fully realized. BothView® splits the incoming light from a single lens using a beam splitter to send it to event and frame sensors, which then output their respective sensor data. The timing signal emitted from the frame side is recorded in the event data, enabling synchronization processing of both datasets.
Additionally, as part of our contract development and manufacturing services, we leverage our expertise in small circuit design and implementation technology, gained through the design and manufacturing of camera modules, to develop endoscope development, ultra-thin implementation boards, and high-reliability implementation methods. This enables us to create manufacturing platforms for bio-adaptive devices such as smart contact lenses and mass production equipment for curved micro-circuitry, among other applications. We actively collaborate with other companies and university research institutions on joint development projects. This initiative is expected to contribute to health promotion through continuous monitoring of biological signals, applications in AR/VR devices, and further developments in the space sector, such as the miniaturization of artificial satellites.
What are the ranges of products/services?
M.Y: The CA378 series of compact, high-performance OIS-equipped camera modules (adopting Sony IMX378) are customizable products available in small quantities to suit customer applications. We are currently developing a new model incorporating next-generation sensors based on the same concept.
Event-based cameras output data that responds only to changes in brightness at each pixel. They capture changes in brightness at each pixel and output timestamps with 1-microsecond time resolution, coordinate information, and the polarity of brightness changes as non-synchronous data. As a result, they excel at capturing moving objects even under direct sunlight or moonlight. With a minimum time, resolution of 1 µsec and low latency, it boasts the same high speed as ultra-high-speed cameras. Additionally, its wide dynamic range (>120dB) makes it less susceptible to changes in ambient light around the subject, and its low power consumption and compact size enable long-term recording. It is expected to find applications in a wide range of fields, including academic research, manufacturing, quality inspection, measurement, security, surveillance, and public transportation, and is currently undergoing verification testing and adoption. We offer a diverse product lineup, including entry-level VGA, professional-grade high-resolution HD, and high-resolution and low-cost HD Lite models, as well as the ultra-compact camera module GenX320 4×5 and the aforementioned BothView® .
Additionally, in collaboration with a software specialist in event data processing, we have developed the Edge AI device, EdgeBX®, for area monitoring and analysis. We have also developed a cloud service integrated with servers and a GUI display application for customer-specific devices, and have begun pilot tests with service providers. Event-based cameras detect only changes in brightness, and their output is point cloud data consisting of the coordinates and timestamps of pixels where brightness changes occurred. Unlike frame cameras, they can be used in scenarios where privacy concerns require avoiding personal identification.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
M.Y: High-performance compact camera modules are being utilized in various fields, such as housing tools for doorphones and monitoring robots for retail store shelf inventory.
Additionally, event cameras are being tested in various industries, including academic research, manufacturing, quality inspection, measurement, security, and healthcare, as well as in public transportation systems, with adoption already decided.
What can you tell us about market trends?
M.Y: In Asian countries such as Japan, China, and South Korea, as well as in Europe, the aging population and declining birthrate are progressing, leading to severe challenges such as labor shortages and increased environmental burdens. Against this backdrop, the need for automation, smartization, and safety and security is rapidly increasing, driving demand for compact, high-performance vision sensors and camera modules that can operate in real time. Our compact, high-performance camera modules, event cameras, and the Edge AI device EdgeBX®, currently under development and described below, are designed to contribute to addressing these societal challenges.
What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
M.Y: The product currently attracting the most attention is “EdgeBX®.” It features high-speed sensing, low latency, low data capacity, and low power consumption, which are characteristic of event cameras, and incorporates an AI-enabled algorithm for processing output data, enabling on-site data processing.
The product alone enables real-time monitoring and analysis of people and vehicle flow and congestion, with features such as counting, heat maps, and object tracking. Additionally, by connecting to a server, we offer a comprehensive solution service that displays analysis results and alerts on customers’ devices. We are conducting tests for smart monitoring and analysis applications in locations with high foot traffic, such as stations, shopping malls, stadiums, and airports, as well as in rooms requiring surveillance. We will provide this as a comprehensive solution combining hardware and software.
What are your estimates for the second half of 2025?
M.Y: In conjunction with the Osaka-Kansai Expo. 2025, we have increased business opportunities with overseas companies and have begun negotiations with several companies based in Asia with which we have not previously done business. The target products are the CA378 camera module and the SikyEvCam® series, as well as the development of application solutions.
We are currently running an Academic Campaign to support students and researchers until December 19, 2025. We are offering the entry-level model of SilkyEvCam®, the SilkyEvCam® (VGA), at a 10% discount from the regular retail price to students and researchers at domestic and international universities, vocational schools, and research institutes. This campaign has been well-received, and we anticipate an increase in sales.
Additionally, this fall, we plan to release the “SilkyEvCam® HD Module,” a camera module equipped with the same sensor as the professional-grade SilkyEvCam® HD. This module will enable higher-resolution information capture compared to the GenX320 4×5, another event camera module. As a result, SilkyEvCam® products will be able to support a wider range of applications than ever before, further expanding the recognition and potential of event-based technology. For example, we anticipate that its value will gradually become more evident in various fields such as area surveillance IoT EdgeBX®, actual business scenarios, transportation infrastructure, and our daily lives.