GenX320 Starter Kit
The Prophesee GenX320 Starter Kit is an event-based vision evaluation kit designed for developers and researchers working on high-speed, low-latency computer vision applications.
Publisher review
The Prophesee GenX320 Starter Kit is an event-based vision evaluation kit designed for developers and researchers working on high-speed, low-latency computer vision applications. It is built around the Prophesee GenX320 sensor, which is the smallest and most power-efficient event-based vision sensor currently available, measuring just 3x4mm. The kit is specifically tailored for integration with the Raspberry Pi 5 via a MIPI CSI-2 interface, making it accessible to the Raspberry Pi developer community for the first time. It targets use cases such as drone tracking, robotic obstacle avoidance, fall detection, industrial defect inspection, and any edge application where traditional frame-based cameras struggle with motion blur or high data rates. The kit ships with a mini tripod and offers two lens variants: an M12 mount with a 76° field of view and an M6 mount with a 104° field of view.
Unlike conventional cameras that capture full frames at fixed intervals, the GenX320 sensor operates on neuromorphic engineering principles, mimicking the human retina by detecting only changes in brightness—called 'events'—with each pixel activating independently and asynchronously. This results in an equivalent frame rate of ~10,000 frames per second with sub-millisecond latency, while maintaining an ultra-low power draw of less than 50 mW, dropping to as low as 36 μW in ultra-low power mode. The sensor offers a dynamic range greater than 140 dB and low-light sensitivity down to 0.05 lux. Event histograms can be streamed to the host device at up to 350 Hz, and the sensor supports open-source software drivers and APIs for Python and C++, available on GitHub alongside data recording, replay, and visualization tools.
In the event-based camera market, the GenX320 Starter Kit competes primarily with modules from OpenMV and IDS Imaging. OpenMV offers a GenX320 camera module for its OpenMV Cam RT1062 and Cam H7 Plus platforms, priced at $300 USD, which streams event histograms at up to 350 Hz with a power draw as low as 3 mW during active streaming. IDS Imaging produces the uEye EVS cameras, which use the Sony IMX636 sensor (developed in collaboration with Prophesee) and feature a USB3 interface with data transmission speeds up to 5 Gbps and a C-mount lens mount. The Prophesee kit differentiates itself through its direct MIPI CSI-2 integration with the Raspberry Pi 5, its ultra-compact size, and its extremely low power consumption, making it ideal for embedded and battery-powered applications.
The GenX320 Starter Kit has several honest trade-offs. First, pricing is not publicly disclosed, requiring potential buyers to contact Prophesee directly, which can be a barrier for hobbyists or small-scale developers. Second, availability is limited to certain countries—1stVision, a distributor, ships only to the USA, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America, and does not respond to requests from other regions. Third, the sensor's 320x320 resolution is lower than many traditional cameras, which may be insufficient for applications requiring detailed spatial information. Fourth, while the event-based approach excels at detecting motion, it does not capture static scene information, which can be a limitation for tasks like object recognition in static environments or applications that require full-frame image data.
How it works
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Event-based vision
Captures changes in brightness as 'events' rather than full frames, eliminating redundant static background data and reducing data rates.
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Ultra-low power consumption
Power draw as low as 50 mW during active operation, dropping to 36 μW in ultra-low power mode, ideal for battery-powered edge devices.
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High temporal resolution
Equivalent to ~10,000 frames per second with sub-millisecond latency, enabling real-time tracking of fast-moving objects.
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Compact size
Ultra-compact 3x4mm sensor format, allowing integration into space-constrained designs like wearables or small robots.
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High dynamic range
Dynamic range greater than 140 dB, enabling operation in challenging lighting conditions with both bright and dark areas.
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Low-light sensitivity
Sensitive down to 0.05 lux, allowing event detection in very dim environments where traditional cameras fail.
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Asynchronous pixel operation
Each pixel activates independently and asynchronously upon detecting a brightness change, reducing latency and data redundancy.
Strengths and trade-offs
Strengths
- The GenX320 sensor is the smallest event-based vision sensor available at just 3x4mm, enabling integration into compact embedded systems.
- Power consumption is exceptionally low at <50 mW active and 36 μW in ultra-low power mode, extending battery life in portable applications.
- The sensor achieves an equivalent frame rate of ~10,000 FPS with sub-millisecond latency, ideal for high-speed motion tracking and real-time response.
- Direct MIPI CSI-2 integration with Raspberry Pi 5 simplifies hardware setup and leverages the Pi's ecosystem for rapid prototyping.
Trade-offs
- Pricing is not publicly disclosed, requiring direct contact with Prophesee, which can be a barrier for hobbyists and small-scale developers.
- Availability is geographically restricted—distributor 1stVision ships only to the USA, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America.
- The sensor's 320x320 resolution is lower than many traditional cameras, limiting its use in applications requiring high spatial detail.
- Event-based vision does not capture static scene information, which can be a drawback for tasks like object recognition in unchanging environments.
Pricing context
Pricing not publicly disclosed; the OpenMV GenX320 camera module is available for $300 USD, but Prophesee's own starter kit requires contacting the company for a quote.
Getting started with GenX320 Starter Kit
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Contact Prophesee for pricing
Visit the Prophesee website and fill out the contact form to request a quote for the GenX320 Starter Kit. Note that pricing is not publicly disclosed, and a sales representative will follow up with details and purchasing options.
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Connect the kit to Raspberry Pi 5
Attach the GenX320 sensor module to the Raspberry Pi 5 using the MIPI CSI-2 interface. Ensure the ribbon cable is securely connected and the lens mount (M12 or M6) is properly installed. Power on the Raspberry Pi.
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Install open-source drivers and API
Clone the Prophesee GitHub repository containing the open-source drivers and APIs for Python and C++. Follow the installation instructions to compile and install the drivers on your Raspberry Pi 5, enabling communication with the sensor.
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Run the event visualization tool
Launch the provided data recording, replay, and visualization tool from the GitHub repository. Configure the tool to stream events from the GenX320 sensor in real time. Observe the event-based output on your display to verify sensor operation.
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Deploy a sample application
Write a Python script using the API to capture event histograms at up to 350 Hz. Implement a simple motion detection algorithm that triggers an action (e.g., LED blink) when events exceed a threshold. Test the application with a moving object to confirm low-latency response.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GenX320 Starter Kit and what does it do?
The GenX320 Starter Kit is an event-based vision evaluation kit from Prophesee. It uses a neuromorphic sensor that detects only brightness changes, not full frames. It connects directly to a Raspberry Pi 5 via MIPI CSI-2 for high-speed, low-latency computer vision applications.
How does the GenX320 sensor achieve such low power consumption?
The GenX320 sensor consumes under 50 mW during active operation and as low as 36 μW in ultra-low power mode. This efficiency comes from its event-based design, where pixels activate only when detecting brightness changes, eliminating redundant data processing and reducing energy use.
What are the key specifications of the GenX320 Starter Kit?
The kit features a 3x4mm sensor with 320x320 resolution, equivalent to ~10,000 fps with sub-millisecond latency. It offers over 140 dB dynamic range, low-light sensitivity down to 0.05 lux, and event histograms streamed at up to 350 Hz. It includes M12 and M6 lens options.
Can the GenX320 Starter Kit be used with a Raspberry Pi 5?
Yes, the GenX320 Starter Kit is specifically designed for Raspberry Pi 5 integration via a MIPI CSI-2 interface. This direct connection simplifies hardware setup and gives Raspberry Pi developers access to event-based vision for the first time, enabling rapid prototyping.
What are the main use cases for the GenX320 Starter Kit?
The kit targets high-speed, low-latency applications like drone tracking, robotic obstacle avoidance, fall detection, and industrial defect inspection. It excels where traditional cameras struggle with motion blur or high data rates, especially in edge and battery-powered devices.
What are the limitations of the GenX320 Starter Kit?
Pricing is not publicly disclosed and requires contacting Prophesee. Availability is restricted to the Americas through distributor 1stVision. The 320x320 resolution is lower than many cameras, and event-based vision does not capture static scene information, limiting some applications.
Alternatives
How GenX320 Starter Kit compares
Direct head-to-head against 2 competitors. Picked by 7wData.
GenX320 Starter Kit
- Pricing
- Pricing not publicly disclosed; the OpenMV GenX320 camera module is available for $300 USD, but Prophesee's own starter kit requires contacting the company for a quote.
- Target
- The Prophesee GenX320 Starter Kit is an event-based vision evaluation kit designed for developers and researchers working on high-speed, low-latency computer vision applications.
- Strength
- The GenX320 sensor is the smallest event-based vision sensor available at just 3x4mm, enabling integration into compact embedded systems.
- Watch for
- Pricing is not publicly disclosed, requiring direct contact with Prophesee, which can be a barrier for hobbyists and small-scale developers.
OpenMV H7 Plus with Prophesee GenX320
- Pricing
- $300 (sensor module only)
- Target
- Embedded vision developers
- Deployment
- MicroPython
- Strength
- Integrated IDE for rapid prototyping
- Watch for
- Requires separate OpenMV board
Sony IMX636 Event-Based Vision Sensor
- Pricing
- Custom/Contact sales
- Target
- Industrial automation
- Deployment
- Custom FPGA/ASIC
- Strength
- Higher resolution (640x480)
- Watch for
- No Raspberry Pi-native kits available
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