Seeed Studio Modbus RS485 Vision AI Camera with ESP32-C3 and Himax WiseEye2 HX6538

Seeed Studio has introduced the Modbus RS485 Vision AI Camera, featuring the ESP32-C3 RISC-V single-core 32-bit SoC through the XIAO-ESP32C3 module for 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity, and the Himax WiseEye2 processor for advanced vision AI. This compact and robust camera supports AI recognition at 480×480 resolution with a frame rate of 10 FPS, all housed in an IP66-rated enclosure for reliable operation in harsh indoor and outdoor environments.

The camera is well-suited for various computer vision tasks such as headcount, object detection, and classification. Its Himax WiseEye2 (WE2) AI solution integrates an ultra-low-power CMOS image sensor with an AI microcontroller (HX6538 WE2). The WE2 solution is equipped with an ARM Cortex-M55 CPU, an ARM Ethos-U55 NPU, a wide range of sensor control interfaces, industrial-grade security and cryptography engines, and a multi-layer power management architecture.

Seeed Studio Modbus RS485 Vision AI camera (S-VA-01B) specifications:

• Core Module:
• • Vision AI Processor: Himax WiseEye2 HX6538
  • MCU Cores:
    • ARM Cortex-M55 @ 400 MHz (High performance)
    • ARM Cortex-M55 @ 150 MHz (High efficiency)
  • AI Accelerator: Integrated ARM Ethos-U55 microNPU @ 400 MHz
  • Internal Memory: 2MB SRAM and 512KB TCM
  • External Memory: 100MHz QSPI Flash, Max 16MB (128Mb)
  • Storage: 64KB Boot ROM
• Wireless Modules:
  • Wi-Fi: XIAO ESP32C3
    • SoC: ESP32-C3 RISC-V single-core 32-bit microcontroller @ 160 MHz
    • Memory: 400KB SRAM, 384KB ROM
    • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth LE 5.0
    • Storage: 4MB Flash
  • LoRaWAN: Seeed Studio Wio-E5 Microcontroller (SenseCAP S2100)
    • Storage: 8GB MicroSD card (Class 10)
• Camera Specifications:
  • Sensor: OV5647
  • Resolution: 2592 x 1944 pixels
  • Pixel Size: 1.4 µm × 1.4 µm
  • Lens Size: 1/4-inch sensor
  • Focal Length: 3.4mm (adjustable)
  • Field of View (FOV): 62°
  • Video Recording:
    • 1080p @ 30fps
    • 720p @ 60fps
• Connectivity:
  • Modbus RS485 Vision:
    • Supported by TP8485E SoC with half-duplex transceiver
    • Modbus-RTU protocol with up to 1200 meters transmission range and 250kbps max speed
  • Wi-Fi (for sending keyframes)
  • 3-pin terminal for signal wire and power
  • Compatible with SenseCAP Sensor Hub 4G DTU and SenseCAP S2100 LoRaWAN DTU
• Power Supply:
  • Input: 5V/12V
  • Current: 1A max
• Environmental:
  • IP66-rated (dustproof, water-resistant)
  • Operating Temperature: 0°C to 70°C
  • Operating Humidity: 0 to 100% RH (non-condensing)
• Dimensions: 180 mm × 75 mm × 70 mm
• Weight: 439 grams
• Cable Length: 2 meters

The Modbus Vision RS485 camera features a standard Modbus RS485 interface, enabling seamless integration with industrial systems. It also supports LoRaWAN and 4G connectivity through SenseCAP DTUs or other standard RS485 DTU devices, offering flexible deployment options.

Equipped with over 300 pre-trained AI models, the camera excels in tasks such as human detection, people counting, and meter reading, making it ideal for applications requiring limited data transmission and high data privacy.

The camera’s configuration is simplified using the no-code SenseCraft AI platform, which allows users to:

• Adjust model confidence thresholds
• Switch between pre-installed models
• Bind the camera to a data logger

Additionally, it supports AI models in both TensorFlow and PyTorch frameworks for custom applications.

For more information, the Modbus RS485 Vision AI camera’s wiki page provides a detailed overview of features, specifications, and connectivity instructions. The Seeed Studio Modbus RS485 Vision AI Camera is priced at $39.00 and is available for purchase on the Seeed Studio product page.