Semi Conductor Devices (SCD), a global leader in infrared detector technology, today announced the launch of the Robin™ family, a new generation of 12µm VGA LWIR uncooled detectors and thermal cores engineered to meet the growing demand for high-performance thermal imaging across modern defence operations.
The Robin family expands SCD’s uncooled infrared portfolio and strengthens the company’s strategic position, allowing defence integrators to target a new range of high-volume, high-performance applications.
Built on advanced VOx microbolometer technology, the Robin family features a groundbreaking thermal time constant (Tau) of ≤7ms, making it one of the fastest in the 12µm LWIR market. This rapid response enables sharp, blur-free thermal imaging during quick movements, ensuring reliable detection, tracking, and targeting in highly dynamic environments.
Designed for applications like missile seekers, guided munitions, loitering munitions, autonomous effectors, and agile UAS payloads. It features NETD below 50mK at the detector level and below 35mK at the core level, combined with exceptional image clarity and sensitivity, even in complex and rapidly changing operational conditions.
The Robin family is available in multiple configurations, from standalone detectors to compact video modules and fully integrated thermal cores, offering integrators flexible deployment options across diverse mission requirements.
Together, these configurations enable seamless deployment across a wide range of applications, including armoured vehicle situational awareness and DVE, missile warning systems (MWS), thermal weapon sights, and persistent surveillance systems.
Robin is designed to overcome the limitations of current-generation 12µm LWIR solutions, delivering consistently clear thermal imagery during fast-paced or motion-intensive situations while reducing stabilisation requirements and system complexity. By decreasing reliance on heavy gimbals and extensive post-processing, Robin enables quicker integration, easier deployment, and enhanced mission effectiveness.
Modern defence platforms increasingly require compact, energy-efficient, and cost-effective solutions at scale. Robin is designed to meet these requirements, supporting deployment across a broad spectrum, from precision-guided systems to high-volume tactical platforms, while maintaining high imaging performance.
In parallel, SCD is investing in sophisticated automated manufacturing capabilities to guarantee consistent quality at scale, dependable long-term supply, and resilience for global defence programmes.
The Robin family is designed to meet both current and emerging operational needs, serving as a foundation for future advances in uncooled infrared technology. SCD’s development plan includes continuous improvements towards smaller pixel pitches, enhanced performance architectures, and AI-ready imaging, supporting the increasing demand for autonomous sensing, onboard processing, and real-time decision-making at the edge.
The Robin family represents a strategic move in expanding SCD’s leadership into the uncooled infrared sector, said Kobi Zaushnizer, CEO of SCD. “By utilising decades of infrared expertise and advanced ROIC capabilities, we are launching a new generation of 12µm solutions that offer ultra-fast thermal response, high image quality, and scalable production. This enables our customers to develop and deploy next-generation EO/IR systems with greater confidence, operational performance, and supply security.”
