Leica is developing its own image sensors again, signaling a move towards more in-house innovation in camera technology, with ongoing projects that could lead to new Leica cameras in the future, although timelines are uncertain.
Scientists have developed non-toxic quantum dots for shortwave infrared (SWIR) image sensors, making them ideal for use in service robotics, automotive, and consumer electronics. These quantum dots, made from non-toxic materials, were successfully integrated into a lab-scale photodetector and used to construct a proof-of-concept SWIR image sensor. The sensors can capture images under adverse weather conditions, enable passive night vision, and peer inside opaque objects under SWIR light, with potential applications in machine vision, bioimaging, and environmental sensing.