Goobuy UC-501 USB Camera is a 15×15mm 2MP micro vision module delivering UVC plug-and-play imaging for embodied AI vision, Physical AI data collection, robotics vision systems, digital signage players, and industrial edge AI computing devices.

With its compact 15×15mm form factor, the Goobuy UC-501 USB Camera integrates a 2MP sensor, UVC-compliant output and M12 lens flexibility to support diverse embedded vision designs. Its stable imaging performance and customizable hardware options make it suitable for OEM developers needing reliable camera modules for compact systems.

 

Product Overview

The Goobuy UC-501 is a low power 2MP miniature USB camera for integration in space-constrained industrial systems. With its 15×15 mm metal housing and UVC compliance, it operates as a small Linux UVC compliant camera 1080p across Windows, Linux, Jetson, and Raspberry Pi platforms.
Compared with board-level prototypes, this mini USB camera delivers stronger reliability and robustness with proper housing, EMI shielding, and strain-relieved cabling. It is optimized for Eye-in-Hand visual servoing, robot perception, teleoperation data collection, humanoid fingertip vision, and embodied AI vision systems where compact size and stable performance matter..

Novel 15x15mm Miniature Low light embedded USB camera UC-501 is a very small, compact 1080P Micro industrial camera, often used in embedded systems, industrial machine & equipment, android tv box, Android tablet & smartphone, robotics where space is limited. These cameras typically use a USB interface (USB 2.0 or Type-C or Micro USB) and can be found with various interchangeable m12 lens and different usb wires available. 

 

 

 

Compact Micro USB Camera is ideal for various Industrial Embedded Vision

it can be embedded in the following typical devices:
Physical AI robots, embodied AI vision systems, teleoperation rigs, robot gripper cameras, mobile robots, educational robots, industrial robots, AI boxes, smart AI retail terminals, Android devices, IoT products, ATMs, and compact embedded systems.

 

 

Key Features:
Extremely Small Size: The 15x15mm dimensions make it ideal for integration into tight spaces such as AI box devices, mini robots, Kiosk, or handheld terminals

Night or low-light performance makes it suitable for indoor or partially lit environments. 

Plug-and-Play USB Interface
USB-C/USB 2.0/UVC compliant — no driver required on Windows/Linux/Android
Easily integrates with Jetson Nano, Raspberry Pi, industrial PC, and embedded systems. 

Industrial-Grade Stability
Long-term continuous operation supported
Optional shielding and EMI-resistant design for noisy environments

Built for Dexterous Hands:

Ultra-compact 15x15mm footprint fits inside robotic phalanges (fingers) for Tactile-Visual Fusion without limiting grip range

Close-Range Precision:

Optional Macro-Focus Lens (3-5cm) allows the AI to see texture details clearly right before the grasp

Use Cases Highlight
Mini embedded smart terminal camera for AI retail terminal

Android tablet/smartphone external usb-c camera OTG (micro external usb camera for android)

Robot sensor vision module

external usb video camera for youtube vloggers & living streaming & middle screen usb webcam

compact usb camera for digital electronic price computing scale

Applications: Used in industrial automation, video conference, laser engraver, document capture, 3D printer, medical devices, machine vision systems.

 

Use Scenarios

• Sensor fusion modules in industrial AI boxes and compute nodes, Vision-enabled embedded controllers

• Robotics & Cobots: Navigation, object recognition, precision tasks. (read its relative technical blogo here UC-501 15*15mm Low-Power USB Camera Modules for Robotics )

• Compact computing devices with external camera support （ Edge AI device）include AI digital signage media players box

• IoT Devices: Smart kiosks, terminals, vending machines and other AI retail terminal

• AI weighting scale: Compact vision UVC module for scale,  High-speed capture for AI Weighing Scales to instantly identify Fresh Produce and minimize transaction time in smart retail (read its relative technical blog here The Heart of AI Scales: An Embedded Vision Solution)

 

Emerging application scenarios

Ultra-compact 15x15mm design, Goobuy UC-501 usb camera perfect for embedding into humanoid robot dexterous hands as an Eye-in-Hand solution for precise grasping and object manipulation

Reliable embedded visual module Goobuy UC-501 usb camera apply for EV Charging Stations and Smart Energy Cabinets, enabling remote monitoring of charging gun status and user interaction

Goobuy UC-501 Ideal for Service Robots and Delivery Bots, providing clear Face Recognition and close-range Obstacle Avoidance in blind spots

 

compressed video screenshot of NO DISTORTION MICRO USB CAMERA 2MP

 

Main technical Parameter

Model No.	UC-501-2MP
Sensor	CMOS 1/2.9” 2MP
Resolution	1920*1080P@30FPS
Output	USB2.0,USB-A / TYPE-C / Micro USB
FOV	3°~230° optional
Focus	Manual
Photo Format	MJPG
Video Output	MJPG/YUY2
White balance	Auto
Microphone	Built in Microphone
Dimension	Holder: 15*15mm
Length of cable	5cm~10M, standard 2.5M
Power	5V / 130mA, 5V / 90mA max
System	WIN7/8/10/Android/Apple Mac/Linux
Material	Plastic camera with metal lens
Temperature	-10~+70℃

Looking for the Datasheet? Scroll to the footer to download the PDF free.

 

Note:  You can select or interchangeable various EFL following M12 lens models to extend and meet your personalized requirement

other EFL Replaceable m12 lens available as following

A1, pinhole m12 lens

EFL 2.1/2.8/3.7/5/6/7/8/10/15/20/22/25/30/35/45/70mm

A2,  Flat normal m12 lens

1.08/1.39/1.44/1.56/1.7/1.8/2.1/2.8/3.6/4/6/8/9.9/12/16/25/50mm

 

Integration Notes

• Works seamlessly as a small Linux UVC compliant camera 1080p with GStreamer and FFmpeg.
• Perfect as a miniature USB camera for integration into drones, kiosks, and industrial inspection tools.
• Provides excellent balance between low power mini USB camera operation and high-quality 1080p output.

 

Integration & Development/Integration workflow:

1. Connect camera via USB

2. Open any UVC video application

3. Configure resolution and exposure settings

4. Load into your CV or AI pipeline (OpenCV, GStreamer, ROS, custom SDKs)

5. Optimize for inference performance on edge devices

The Goobuy UC-501 is suited for rapid prototyping, system validation, and long-term product deployment.

 

Key Advantage

Core Benefit 1: Extreme Miniaturization - The compact size of 15mm x 15mm allows for easy embedding into any space-constrained equipment such as robots, medical devices, automated production lines, etc.

Core Advantage 2: Industrial-Grade Reliability - Designed for harsh industrial environments, ensuring stable operation for a long time, shock and dust resistance.

Core Advantage 3: Plug and Play, Efficient Integration - Standard Micro USB interface, no need for complex drivers, compatible with multiple operating systems such as Windows, Linux, Android, etc., greatly shortening your development cycle.

Core Advantage 4: High-Precision Imaging - 2MP HD resolution provides clear, noise-free images for precise measurement and quality inspection.

 

Engineering Challenges Solved by Goobuy UC-501 USB Camera

1. Space & Power Constraints (SWaP Optimization)

• The Challenge: Embedded devices like nano-drones, wearable cameras, and handheld medical tools have strict limits on Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP). Standard 32mm/38mm cameras are simply too big and power-hungry.

• The Solution: With a tiny 15x15mm footprint and ultra-low power consumption (<90mA), the UC-501 fits effortlessly into tight mechanical envelopes while extending battery life for portable IoT devices.

 

2. Optical Flexibility for Specific AI Tasks

• The Challenge: Fixed-lens webcams limit AI performance. For example, License Plate Recognition (LPR) needs a narrow FOV, while VSLAM navigation needs a wide FOV.

• The Solution: The standard interchangeable M12 lens mount allows developers to swap optics (from 40° telephoto to 200° fisheye) during prototyping, perfectly matching the sensor's field of view to the specific algorithm requirement without changing the camera board.

 

3. Cross-Platform Driver Compatibility

• The Challenge: Getting proprietary camera drivers to work on diverse ARM-based platforms (like Raspberry Pi, NVIDIA Jetson, or Rockchip Android boxes) often leads to "integration hell."

• The Solution: The UC-501 is strictly UVC (USB Video Class) compliant, ensuring instant plug-and-play video streaming on Linux, Android, Windows, and macOS without kernel compilation or custom drivers.

 

4. Internal Connectivity for OEMs

• The Challenge: Standard external USB-A cables are bulky, rigid, and difficult to route inside compact device housings.

• The Solution: Goobuy offers custom internal cabling options (including 4-pin JST connectors, Micro-USB, or stripped wires) with precise lengths, enabling secure, vibration-resistant connections directly to your mainboard.

 

5. Embodied AI Data Collection and Teleoperation Integration

• The Challenge: Physical AI and embodied AI teams often need a compact camera that fits near the wrist, gripper, or other tight mechanical spaces without adding bulky housings, custom drivers, or extra integration overhead.

• The Solution: With its 15×15mm footprint, UVC plug-and-play compatibility, and flexible M12 lens options, the UC-501 is well suited for teleoperation, robot perception, ego-centric vision, and real-world training data collection in compact robotic systems.

 

Special Demands Met:

• AI Vision and Machine Learning at the Edge: Used as the visual input for small form-factor AI/ML applications like object detection, facial recognition, or gesture control in drones, robotics, smart kiosks, or autonomous vehicles.
• IoT Devices: Integrating vision into "smart" devices for data collection or basic automation.
• Drones and UAVs: Essential for navigation, mapping, surveillance, or specialized payloads where size, weight, and power (SWaP) are critical considerations. The 110-degree FOV is often beneficial for aerial perspectives.
• Robotics: Providing visual feedback for navigation, obstacle avoidance, and manipulation tasks in compact robots.
• Portable Devices: For handheld diagnostic tools, remote inspection tools, or specialized mobile devices requiring imaging capabilities.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. How is the Goobuy UC-501 USB Camera different from generic mini USB cameras?
The Goobuy UC-501 USB camera is a 15×15mm industrial micro vision module built for embedded systems, offering stable UVC output, interchangeable M12 lenses, consistent 2MP imaging and OEM-grade customization. Generic mini USB cameras typically lack optical flexibility, long-term stability and integration support.

 

Q2. Does the UC-501 require drivers on Windows, Linux, Android or Raspberry Pi?
No. The UC-501 is a UVC-compliant USB camera and works plug-and-play on Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, Raspberry Pi and most edge-AI platforms without installing any drivers.

 

Q3. What platforms support the Goobuy UC-501 USB camera for AI or computer-vision workloads?
It is compatible with NVIDIA Jetson Nano/NX/Orin, Raspberry Pi 4/5, x86 Linux PCs, ARM industrial PCs and Android terminals. The UVC interface ensures compatibility with OpenCV, GStreamer, ROS and common AI vision pipelines.

 

Q4. Can the 15×15mm form factor fit into compact or fully enclosed device housings?
Yes. The Goobuy UC-501 USB camera is specifically designed for tight mechanical spaces such as thin front panels, compact embedded boxes and integrated vision modules where conventional USB cameras do not fit.

 

Q5: What is the power consumption? Can it run on battery?
Yes. The Goobuy UC-501 USB camera is optimized for low power, drawing < 90mA @ 5V in typical operation. This makes it perfect for battery-powered drones and mobile robots.

 

Q6. Is the UC-501 suitable for long-term continuous operation in commercial or industrial systems?
Yes. The camera uses an optimized image pipeline, stable UVC output and consistent hardware performance intended for 24/7 embedded operation in commercial or industrial environments.

 

Q7. Does the Goobuy UC-501 USB camera support low-light imaging for indoor or mixed lighting conditions?

Yes. Its 2MP sensor and tuned exposure pipeline provide clear imaging in 0.1–0.5 lux conditions, making it suitable for retail floors, warehouses, kiosks and indoor embedded systems.

 

Q8. What customization options are available for OEM integration?
Goobuy supports PCB shape adjustments, cable length modifications, connector changes (USB-A / USB-C / JST), housing variations, lens selection, optical tuning and firmware modifications to match OEM device requirements.

 

Q9. Can the UC-501 be used as an external USB camera for embedded AI boxes or computing platforms?
Yes. The Goobuy UC-501 USB camera module can function as an external UVC camera for edge-AI boxes, industrial PCs and embedded controllers needing reliable, compact imaging without driver dependencies.

 

Q10. What is required to integrate the Goobuy UC-501 USB camera into an AI or CV software pipeline?
Simply connect via USB, open any UVC-compatible viewer, then load the video stream into OpenCV, GStreamer or your AI model. No special SDK is required, and the camera works with standard CV libraries.

 

Q11. Why is Goobuy UC-501 a practical camera for embodied AI vision and physical AI data collection?
The Goobuy UC-501 is a practical choice for embodied AI vision because it solves a mechanical and integration problem first: size. Its 15×15mm compact housing makes it easier to place near a robot wrist, gripper, or other space-constrained locations where larger USB cameras do not fit. At the same time, its UVC plug-and-play output reduces integration friction across Linux, Jetson, Raspberry Pi, Windows, and common CV stacks such as OpenCV, GStreamer, and ROS. For physical AI, teleoperation, and real-world robot training data collection, this combination of compact size, stable output, and flexible M12 optics is often more valuable than adding unnecessary system complexity.

 

Why Choose shenzhen Novel Electronics limited?

• Proven supplier of miniature USB camera for integration for EU/US industrial OEMs
• Flexible customization for lens, housing, and cables
• Reliable partner for compact USB camera for Physical AI, robotics vision projects, AI retail, Edge AI vision device

• Support team provides firmware profiles and SDK snippets for fast integration

 

Case study & customer's feedback or comments

Success Story 1 (Industrial Automation):

"This camera perfectly solves the problem of tight space on our automated production line, and its high stability greatly reduces our maintenance costs." - John D., CEO of an Automation Company

 

Success Story 2 (Medical Device):

"We have been looking for a camera for medical devices for a long time, and its miniaturization and high-precision imaging capabilities have completely exceeded our expectations." - Maria S., Product Manager for a Medical Device Company

"The 15×15mm camera gave us a compact yet powerful imaging solution. Easy integration and superb clarity.” – Product Manager, USA

"We needed distortion-free imaging in tight enclosures. This module delivered perfectly.” – Engineer, Germany

UC-501-2MP usb camera with 16mm telephoto Lens

Regarding its more product application and technical specification, please source " UC-501" or "15*15mm" in our homepage

NDAA Compliance Statement:
"This Goobuy UC-501 USB camera is manufactured in compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Section 889."

 

 

 

Support semi-custom its lens, USB interface, removing exterior housing, rename your ID here, check this UC-501 Page now.