[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Camera module specialist Namuga is accelerating its new business in 3D sensing cameras following its core smartphone camera module business.
Namuga announced on the 18th that it will supply precision 3D sensing camera modules for posture correction of inspectors in next-generation digital X-ray imaging equipment from a domestic global IT company. By integrating Namuga’s 3D sensing camera solution, inspectors can set optimal shooting conditions and correct their posture for the inspection area.
The cameras supplied by Namuga for medical devices are 3D sensing module cameras applying ToF (Time of Flight) technology. ToF is a high value-added technology that measures the time taken for light emitted from the camera to reflect back from the subject, thereby measuring the distance and shape between the device and the subject. It requires sophisticated software algorithms and hardware packaging technology.
To secure technological competitiveness, Namuga has continuously invested in and commercialized this technology for over 10 years since 2011. Based on the establishment of large-scale production lines and supply records to various global customers, it has accumulated competitiveness in 3D sensing technology.
In addition to entering the new medical device market, Namuga plans to accelerate the transition from a business structure focused on smartphone camera modules to a future-oriented camera business structure by entering the next-generation camera module market.
Another new market entry is XR (Extended Reality) devices, which combine AR and VR and are attracting attention as next-generation devices after smartphones. A single XR device requires multiple cameras performing functions such as eye tracking to follow the user’s gaze, user motion recognition, see-through front recognition, and distance recognition from objects. Namuga is developing ultra-small cameras for XR devices and is expected to supply cameras when the related products of a global IT company, with which it is jointly developing, are launched.
Namuga is also negotiating to mass-produce 3D ToF camera modules for the next console game device of a global console game company and measurement cameras for high-resolution smart beam projectors.
According to a report released this year by the global market research firm Allied Market Research, the 3D camera market is expected to grow from $4.62 billion (approximately 5.6 trillion KRW) in 2020 to $73.53 billion (approximately 88 trillion KRW) by 2030.
Kim Yongcheol, Head of Management Support Team (CFO) at Namuga, said, "As product supply to new markets becomes visible next year, the sales proportion of 3D sensing camera modules will increase significantly." He added, "Through supplying relatively high value-added products such as 3D sensing cameras, Namuga’s growth potential and profit margins can also improve substantially."
Namuga recorded sales of 293.7 billion KRW and operating profit of 19.5 billion KRW in the first half of this year, representing increases of 8% and 68%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Kim, Head of Management Support Team, explained, "We are improving the cost structure through manufacturing productivity improvements and internal organizational efficiency reorganization," and added, "We expect to achieve the best performance since the company’s founding this year."
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