Varioptic launches the First Liquid Lens Camera Module

It has been developed using Varioptic’s latest auto focus 7.75mm liquid lens – Arctic 416 – allowing one of the smallest footprints
(8.5 mm) for a 2MP camera module, particularly well suited to current camera phone design trends.

Varioptic’s liquid lens, which does not include any moving parts, features some crucial commercial advantages over traditional auto-focus technologies in terms of size, robustness, speed, price and power consumption.

The AFCM MI285 camera module is manufactured by one of Varioptic leading Asian partners, and the Arctic 416 lenses are manufactured in Wuxi (China) by Creative Sensor Inc., a world leader in the production of imaging systems. Offered at just $16 at volumes of 50,000 units, Varioptic’s innovative MI285 camera module is an attractively priced, high specification product presenting an ideal opportunity to generate high sales volumes for camera phone manufacturers.

Commenting on this latest development, John Barber, Vice President of Business Development at Varioptic said: ‘‘Although Varioptic remains focused on developing and producing liquid lenses, we saw this opportunity with one of our partners as too good to miss. Our AFCM MI285 is a stepping stone to the first camera phone using a liquid lens. We are already working with a number of handset companies to achieve this and should be announcing the first camera phone in the coming months.’’

Varioptic will be demonstrating the AFCM MI285 at 3GSM in Barcelona from 12th to 15th February (stand 2F33, Hall 2). To make an appointment, please
e-mail Philippe Ruffin at philippe.ruffin@varioptic.com.

About Varioptic
Varioptic is the world leader in liquid lens technology supplying liquid lens solutions to meet optical autofocus requirements for a wide range of markets. Founded in 2002, Varioptic pioneered the development of Electrowetting Technology to create revolutionary auto focus and zoom lenses with absolutely no moving parts. Liquid lenses feature several crucial advantages over traditional technologies in terms of robustness, cost, size, ease of integration, power consumption and speed. For more information, visit www.varioptic.com.

Press contacts
Nathalie Combrousse    Philippe Ruffin
Marketing Communication Manager    Product Marketing Manager
nathalie.combrousse@varioptic.com    philippe.ruffin@varioptic.com
Tel.: +33 (0)4 37 65 47 31    Tel.: +33 (0)4 37 65 19 35