Goobuy UC-501-WDR USB module delivers clear 2MP imaging in high-contrast scenes using 120dB hardware WDR, featuring a 2MP sensor and 15*15mm footprint for seamless embedded integration in variable lighting
The Goobuy UC-501-WDR is a 15×15mm ultra-compact USB-C camera module with True 120 dB Wide Dynamic Range (WDR), designed for robots, self-checkout kiosks, smart vending and AI edge devices operating under extreme lighting conditions. It delivers stable 2MP video, excellent highlight/low-light balance and UVC plug-and-play compatibility with Windows, Linux, NVIDIA Jetson and Raspberry Pi.
Conquer Light & Shadow: The Ultimate WDR USB Camera Module for Robotics, Kiosks, IOT, and Smart Vending
Engineer's Quick-Look
Size:15mm x 15mm
Resolution:2MP (1920x1080)
Key Feature:Industrial-Grade WDR (up to 120 dB)
Interface:UVC Plug-and-Play USB 2.0/ USB-C
Why WDR Matters for Robotics & Kiosks
1, Prevents image washout when facing sunlight or display reflections
2, Ensures stable AI inference for face/QR/gesture recognition
3, Reduces false detections caused by overexposure
4, Improves obstacle recognition in high-contrast navigation environments
5, Guarantees consistent kiosk performance regardless of installation angle
Why True Hardware WDR Matters?
|
Feature |
Standard Camera |
Goobuy UC-501-WDR |
|
Dynamic Range |
~60 dB |
> 100 dB (True WDR) |
|
Backlight Performance |
Faces are dark/silhouetted |
Faces are clear & recognizable |
|
Glass Glare |
Washout / Blinded |
See through reflection |
|
Ideal For |
Indoor / Controlled Light |
Outdoor / Windows / Variable Light |
We designed Goobuy UC-501-WDR to be a versatile solution that addresses the unique visual challenges across key industries.
| Robotics Vision | Self-Service Kiosks | Smart Vending |
| Precision for Navigation & Inspection | Flawless User Experience in Any Light | Enabling the Future of Unattended Retail |
| • Overcome lighting challenges for robust AMR navigation in warehouses. • Achieve accurate inspection of reflective or dark materials. • Ensure safe human-robot collaboration (Cobots) in any environment. • Ultra-compact size is perfect for integration into End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT). |
• Guarantee successful facial recognition and ID scanning in backlit conditions. • Eliminate glare from outdoor light to ensure flawless QR code reading. • Boost transaction success rates and customer satisfaction. • Miniature design allows for seamless integration into sleek, modern enclosures. |
• Provide high-quality imaging for AI-powered age verification. • Enable low-cost, vision-based real-time inventory management. • Power advanced features like facial payment and dynamic advertising. • Enhance security and prevent fraudulent transactions. |
| [Link: Learn more about our Robotics Solutions] | [Link: See our Kiosk Integration Guide] | [Link: Explore Smart Vending Applications] |
Sensor: High-Performance 1/2.8" CMOS Image Sensor
Resolution: 1920(H) x 1080(V), 2.0 Megapixel
Frame Rate: 1080p@30fps, 720p@30fps
Wide Dynamic Range (WDR): Up to 120 dB, Multi-Exposure Hardware WDR
Standard Lens (Default):
Diagonal FOV: 93°
Construction: 4-Element Glass, Low Distortion
Lens Options: 70°-120°, and custom FOV available on request.
Shutter Type: Rolling Shutter
Module Dimensions: 12mm x 12mm
Weight: Approx. 35g
Housing Material: (ABS plastics, size 15*15mm)
Operating Temperature: -20°C to +70°C
Interface: USB 2.0 / USB-C ( type-C)
Connector: USB Type-C or 5-pin header (optional)
Compatibility: UVC (USB Video Class) Compliant
Operating Systems: Windows (8, 10, 11), Linux (Kernel 2.6 or higher), Android (with OTG support), macOS
Power: USB Bus Powered (DC 5V)
Development: Plug-and-play with OpenCV, ROS, Python, and other standard libraries.
Application Scenarios of Goobuy UC-501-WDR USB Camera
Self-Checkout Kiosks and Smart Retail
The 120 dB WDR ensures accurate barcode, QR and face detection even when kiosks face windows or strong overhead lighting. Ideal for retail automation and payment terminals.
Robotics Navigation Under Mixed Lighting
Robots moving between warehouses, corridors and outdoor sunlight benefit from stable exposure and reduced frame overexposure, improving navigation reliability.
Smart Vending and Access Terminals
WDR prevents screen glare and shadow issues, allowing consistent user recognition in public-space lighting conditions.
Industrial AI Edge Devices
Used in assembly lines, industrial HMIs and inspection tools requiring stable USB imaging across rapidly changing light environments.
Security and Attendance Systems
Perfect for backlit entry gates, turnstiles and access control devices that must detect users under high contrast lighting.
its Integration & Platform Compatibility
Operating Systems
• Windows 10/11
• Ubuntu 18.04–22.04
• NVIDIA Jetson (Nano / Xavier NX / Orin)
• Raspberry Pi OS
• Android (UVC support)
Frameworks
• OpenCV 4.x
• ROS2 (Foxy / Humble)
• TensorFlow Lite
• PyTorch / OnnxRuntime
Platforms
• Jetson Orin / Xavier NX / Nano
• Raspberry Pi 5 / 4
• x86 Embedded PC
• ARM Industrial Boards
1. How does the WDR performance of UC-501-WDR USB camera actually compare in the real world? Is it true hardware WDR?
Answer: This is an excellent and critical question. Our module features true hardware-based, multi-exposure WDR that delivers a dynamic range of up to 120 dB. Unlike digital WDR (D-WDR) which is a software-based gimmick, our hardware approach ensures you capture crystal-clear, artifact-free images in extreme high-contrast scenes. This means in a single frame, you can clearly see the details of a user's face in a dark shadow while simultaneously reading the license plate of a car in bright, direct sunlight behind them. It's designed for reliable performance in the most challenging real-world lighting, not just in a lab.
2. What kind of drivers or special software do we need to integrate this goobuy camera with our Linux-based robotic system or NVIDIA Jetson platform?
Answer: None. The UC-501-WDR USB camera is fully UVC (USB Video Class) compliant. This means it is a true plug-and-play device that requires no special drivers for all major operating systems, including Linux, Windows 10/11, and Android. It is recognized as a standard video device, allowing your software team to immediately access the video stream using common libraries like OpenCV, Python, GStreamer, or ROS (Robot Operating System). This dramatically simplifies the integration process and accelerates your development timeline.
3. The standard lens/cable option is close, but not perfect for our design. Can you provide customization for specific requirements?
Answer: Yes, absolutely. We understand that every embedded project is unique. This camera module serves as a flexible platform for our full OEM/ODM customization services. The most common customizations we provide for this module include:
Lens & Field of View (FOV): We can equip the module with a wide range of lenses to achieve your desired FOV, from narrow (for detail) to wide-angle (for perception), including low-distortion options.
Cable & Connector: We can customize the cable length and terminate it with the specific connector your system requires.
Firmware Adjustments: We can pre-configure image parameters like brightness, contrast, and white balance to your specific needs.
Please contact our engineering team to discuss your project's unique requirements.
4. What is your process for providing samples for evaluation, and what are the typical lead times for mass production orders?
Answer: We make the evaluation process straightforward. You can request samples directly through our sales team, and they typically ship within 1-2 business weeks.
For mass production orders, our standard lead time is approximately 4-6 weeks after the final configuration is confirmed. Lead times may vary depending on the order volume and the complexity of any customizations. We pride ourselves on transparent communication and will provide you with a detailed schedule for your specific order.
5. What is the long-term reliability of this module, and what kind of warranty and technical support do you offer?
Answer: Our modules are designed and manufactured for industrial-grade reliability. Every unit is produced under ISO 9001 certified quality management standards and undergoes rigorous testing before shipment.
We stand behind our products with a standard 1-Year Manufacturer's Warranty. Furthermore, when you partner with us, you get direct access to our dedicated engineering support team. If you have any questions or challenges during your integration process, our experts are here to help you solve them quickly and efficiently
6, What are the benefits of this compact 15×15mm micro UC-501-WDR USB board?
Answer: The ultra-compact size makes it suitable for embedded kiosks, robotic end-effectors, AI terminals and other space-constrained devices requiring reliable industrial USB imaging.
7: "Does enabling WDR increase motion blur for moving robots?"
Goobuy's WDR algorithm is tuned to minimize ghosting. While multi-exposure WDR inherently has some artifacts on very fast objects, our sensor tuning ensures crisp edges for AMR navigation speeds up to 1.5m/s.
8: "Is the WDR function always on, or can I control it via software?"
The WDR function can be toggled. Since the camera is UVC compliant, you can enable/disable WDR or adjust the tone mapping curve using standard V4L2 commands (Linux) or DirectShow properties (Windows) to suit different lighting conditions.
9: "Can this camera read LCD screens (e.g., phone QR codes) without flickering?"
Yes. The high dynamic range prevents the "white-out" effect often seen when pointing a camera at a bright phone screen, ensuring high success rates for QR code scanning in access control and payment kiosks.
Title: "It Doesn't Work!" - How a US Kiosk Startup's Airport Deployment Became a User Experience Nightmare
The Client : "Urban Kiosk Solutions Inc.," a well-funded Silicon Valley startup, designed a sleek, modern self-service ticketing and ID verification kiosk. They secured a major pilot contract to deploy 50 of their flagship units in a major US international airport's main departure hall.
The Challenge : Within the first week of deployment, the support lines were flooded with complaints. Users reported that the kiosk's most critical function—scanning a driver's license or passport for identity verification—had an abysmal success rate, estimated to be below 40%. The facial recognition feature for payment was equally unreliable. Long queues formed, users became intensely frustrated, and the airport authority threatened to terminate the contract. The startup's reputation was on the line.
The Root Cause Analysis: The kiosks had performed flawlessly in the company's controlled lab environment. However, the airport's departure hall was a "worst-case scenario" for lighting. It had a massive glass facade and ceiling, creating extreme backlighting conditions at all hours of the day.
The standard miniature USB camera chosen for the kiosk, while compact, had no WDR capabilities. When a user stood in front of the kiosk, their face was cast into a dark silhouette against the bright background, making facial recognition impossible. When they held up their reflective, laminated ID card, the glare from the overhead lights would create a white flare, rendering the text and photo completely unreadable for the OCR software.
The Solution: The startup was forced to initiate an expensive recall and retrofitting process. They replaced the standard camera with a miniature WDR USB camera module. The WDR technology instantly solved the problem. It cut through the backlighting to perfectly expose the user's face and eliminated the glare on the ID cards, allowing the software to function as designed. The transaction success rate immediately jumped to over 95%.
The Takeaway : For any user-facing self-service terminal (Kiosk, ATM, Vending Machine) deployed in a public space, the user experience is the product. Choosing a camera without robust WDR capabilities is a critical oversight that ignores real-world conditions. It directly leads to failed transactions, customer frustration, and severe damage to the brand's reputation for quality and reliability.
At Shenzhen Novel Electronics Limited, we are dedicated specialists in the field of embedded vision technology. We offer comprehensive OEM/ODM customization services, positioning ourselves as your trusted engineering partner throughout the entire product development lifecycle. From initial optical design and sensor selection to custom-shaped PCB layouts and firmware development, we provide end-to-end support.
Our mission is to transform your unique vision concepts into reliable, mass-produced realities, enabling your equipment to see clearer, farther, and smarter.
Ready to give your machine superior vision? Contact us right now to discuss your project requirements with one of our vision engineers. We can provide quotes, samples, and expert advice to help you select the perfect imaging solution.
Send your e-mail to office@okgoobuy.com or call our offfice +86 755 29775656 or Whatsapp me +86 13510914939
Relative useful articles and product application links
1, WDR USB Cameras for AI Edge in Harsh Environments Goobuy UC-501-WDR
2, UC-501-WDR usb camera: Reliable Vision for AI Retail Terminals
3, What is a WDR USB Camera & How Does True WDR Work?
4, Why WDR USB Cameras Beat Normal Cameras in Industry
5, WDR Camera Solutions for Outdoor Self-Service Kiosks
6, Goobuy — Professional Micro USB Camera for AI Edge Vision
7, Choosing 2025 Best USB Camera for Edge AI Retail Systems
8, Choosing the Right USB Camera for Edge AI in 2026
+86 755 29775656
Follow Me
Address：3A05 Floor 4, Plant 8, No31 Jiaan Road, 41 District, Xinan Street, Baoan, Shenzhen, China 518101
