vivo Breaks New Ground with Self-Designed Imaging Chip V1, Committing to Long-term Technology Innovation Strategy

vivo unveiled its new self-designed Imaging Chip V1 during a press event held last week in Shenzhen, China. Throughout the event, vivo introduced the Imaging Chip V1 and expanded on its four long-term strategic tracks.

Hu Baishan, Executive Vice President & COO at vivo, speaking at the press event

"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. 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," said Hu Baishan, Executive Vice President & COO at vivo.

The Imaging Chip V1 has been under development for 24 months by over 300 R&D personnel and imaging lab experts at vivo. Moving forward, vivo's approach towards spearheading innovative image processing (IP) 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 that are suitable for vivo's product and technical needs, along with substantial demand for fully-customized chips to support these long-term strategic tracks. vivo will strategically focus its resources on simulating the known needs of consumers through IP Design and developing key innovative image processing algorithms, without undertaking chip manufacturing.

"Aside from enhancing the visual aesthetics and imaging effects of vivo products, the Imaging Chip V1 also aims to bring unparalleled experiences to users by channeling emotional resonance through visual expression. vivo is staunchly committed to long-term investment in the four strategic tracks to create industry-leading technology and innovation, which will undoubtedly satisfy even the most demanding high-end smartphone users," he added.

As early as 2019, vivo began linking design-driven and user-oriented innovation with the evolving demands of users, culminating in the four long-term strategic tracks. Since then, vivo has been recruiting talents from all around the world to implement a vigorous development strategy.

Image system is a part of the core long-term strategic tracks of vivo. To this day, vivo has invested heavily in this field for over five years, achieving many industry-leading breakthroughs such as Gimbal Stabilization technology and Selfie Spotlight along the way. In December 2020, vivo and ZEISS announced a long-term strategic partnership in mobile imaging innovation. Both partners share the ambition to anticipate and meet most demanding consumer requirements, as well as the will to challenge the limits of mobile imaging through joint research and development at the vivo ZEISS Imaging Lab.

Based on consumer insights, vivo will implement a three-pronged strategy – focusing on product planning, technical planning and technical pre-research – to strike a balance between products and technology. The vivo Central Research Institute will be responsible for planning up-and-coming technologies, which will be closely aligned with consumer demands, industry trends and user scenarios.

vivo's goal over the next 10 to 20 years is to create great products based on a design-driven value, building a bridge between humans and the digital world by providing users with an increasingly convenient mobile and digital experience. vivo will continue to implement vigorous development strategies with the vision of becoming a healthier, longer-lasting world-class corporation.

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About vivo
vivo is a technology company that creates great products based on a design-driven value, with smart devices and intelligent services as its core. The company aims to build a bridge between humans and the digital world. Through unique creativity, vivo provides users with an increasingly convenient mobile and digital life. Following the company's core values, which include Benfen*, design-driven and user orientation, vivo has implemented a sustainable development strategy, with the vision of becoming a healthier, longer-lasting world-class corporation.

While recruiting and developing the best local talents, vivo is supported by a network of 10 R&D centers in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing, Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Xi'an, Taipei, Tokyo and San Diego, focusing on the development of state-of-the-art consumer technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence, industrial design, photography and other up-and-coming technologies. vivo has also set-up five production hubs (including brand authorized manufacturing center), across China, South- and Southeast Asia, with an annual production capacity of nearly 200 million smartphones. As of now, vivo has branched out its sales network across more than 50 countries and regions, and is loved by more than 400 million users worldwide.

*"Benfen" is a term describing the attitude on doing the right things and doing things right – which is the ideal description of vivo's mission to build technology for good.
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