Next-Gen AI Robot Vision: First Look at GMSL2 Wiring Harness Solutions
In the era of AI, how can machine vision achieve "clearer vision"?
Driven by the rapid advancement of AI technology, intelligent robots, autonomous driving systems, and intelligent manufacturing systems are constantly pushing the boundaries of what was once thought possible. Nevertheless, as the "eyes of the intelligent brain," the machine vision system has emerged as the core foundation for the perception and decision-making processes of AI systems. However, enabling robots to truly "see clearly" remains a formidable challenge. ✅ High-definition vision necessitates higher bandwidth. ✅ Real-time control hinges on extremely low latency. ✅ The industrial environment is fraught with challenges, including electromagnetic interference and complex cabling.
Confronted with these issues, traditional transmission solutions such as USB, Gigabit Ethernet, and Camera Link are increasingly falling short of meeting the escalating demands. Bandwidth limitations, unstable transmission, and intricate cabling have become significant barriers to the large-scale implementation of AI systems.
At this juncture, the GMSL2+FAKRA technology, which has been successfully and widely applied in autonomous driving systems, is spearheading the technological revolution in industrial visual transmission. Boasting a single-link bandwidth of 6Gbps, microsecond-level link latency, and a shielding layer with a 90% braiding density, it is setting new standards in the field.
01 Technological Frontier | What Exactly is GMSL2? And Why is it So Popular?
What is GMSL2? GMSL2 (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link 2) is the second-generation gigabit multimedia serial link introduced by Maxim Integrated™ (now a part of Analog Devices – ADI). It enables the simultaneous transmission of high-definition video, audio, control signals, and power(POC, Power over Coax) through a single coaxial or shielded twisted-pair cable. Compared to traditional solutions, GMSL2 offers significant reductions in system weight and cost, making it an ideal choice for robots and industrial vision systems that demand stringent transmission quality and system reliability.
Why has GMSL2 Gained Such Prominence in the Realms of Robots and AI Machine Vision?
The single-link unidirectional transmission rate of up to 6Gbps effectively caters to the high demands of 4K high-definition video and AI algorithms for image data.
Microsecond-level low latency ensures seamless real-time synchronization between control signals and images.
The combination of excellent EMC shielding, the FAKRA interface, and IP67 rating allows for stable operation in challenging environments, including rugged terrains and areas with strong electromagnetic interference.
Single-wire integration streamlines the system structure, reducing both cabling complexity and maintenance costs.
Stable transmission over a maximum distance of 15 meters accommodates the system layout requirements of large production lines and complex spatial arrangements.
02 Industry Applications | Who's Employing It? And How?
Thanks to its high bandwidth, low latency, and robust anti-interference capabilities, the GMSL2 high-speed transmission technology is being increasingly adopted by leading enterprises and solution integrators across various industries. Particularly in intelligent robots and AI devices with exacting requirements for vision systems, the GMSL2+FAKRA solution has become an indispensable data transmission infrastructure.
Intelligent Industrial Robots Industrial robots are evolving from conventional mechanical operation devices to intelligent systems with " perception + decision-making" capabilities. The GMSL2 transmission components empower robots to achieve high-precision real-time visual feedback, and are extensively utilized in high-precision application scenarios such as automatic welding, assembly, and visual inspection.
Humanoid Robots With the rapid expansion of humanoid robots in sectors like services, education, and security, there is an escalating need for high-resolution image acquisition and low-latency real-time analysis. The GMSL2 wiring harness components establish a high-speed data link for humanoid robots, facilitating their ability to achieve high-precision environmental perception and real-time interaction, thereby significantly enhancing their bionic response capabilities and the human-robot interaction experience.
AGV/AMR Autonomous Navigation Robots AGVs and AMRs are seeing widespread application in intelligent manufacturing and logistics warehousing. The GMSL2 solution supports the synchronous integration of multiple cameras and sensors, ensuring accurate high-precision dynamic mapping (SLAM) and complex path planning for AMR systems. This enables precise obstacle avoidance and dynamic navigation, safeguarding the high efficiency and safety of autonomous operations.
Autonomous Driving and ADAS Testing Systems In autonomous driving testing systems, the synchronous collection of multi-channel high-definition video data is of paramount importance. The GMSL2 components effectively address the bandwidth and latency bottlenecks in the transmission links for high-resolution images and sensor signals, enabling safer and more efficient verification of autonomous driving algorithms.
Industry Trends The application of AI + machine vision is transitioning from "single-point intelligence" to "system-wide coordination," and the requirements have evolved from merely "being able to see" to "seeing clearly, swiftly, and over a greater distance." In this process, the GMSL2+FAKRA modular high-speed transmission solution is emerging as the new cornerstone infrastructure in fields such as intelligent robots, smart logistics, and autonomous driving, and has become integral to the intelligent upgrading of Industry 4.0.
03 New Product Launch | Zhaolong's GMSL2 Machine Vision Components Make Their Debut!
In response to these industry trends, Zhaolong Interconnect has been intensifying its research and development efforts and is proud to officially introduce the GMSL2 high-speed machine vision transmission components.
Zhaolong's GMSL2 Cable Assembly
Three Core Advantages for Establishing an Efficient and Stable Machine Vision Transmission Link ① Industrial-grade Stable Transmission to Fulfill High-dynamic Application Requirements Traditional FAKRA connectors and cables are predominantly designed for the automotive industry. In industrial robots and automation equipment, due to frequent movements and prolonged operations, issues such as cable fatigue, signal attenuation, and loose connections are common. High-flexibility and Fatigue-resistant Design: These components have successfully passed the 5 million times drag chain + torsion test, ensuring stable and reliable performance even in environments with frequent bending and movement. Adaptability to Extreme Conditions: Featuring a wear-resistant PUR sheath that complies with the FT2 flame-retardant standard and the RoHS environmental protection standard, it can effortlessly handle harsh working conditions, including high temperatures, extreme cold, and oily environments. Standardized FAKRA Interface: With a high locking force design, it ensures stable plugging and unplugging. It meets the USCAR certification and industrial-grade vibration test standards, guaranteeing that it will not loosen or disconnect even after long-term use.
② Exceptional EMC Performance for Enhanced Signal Transmission Stability The industrial environment is complex, with densely packed equipment. High-power motors, frequency converters, wireless communication devices, etc., all generate strong electromagnetic interference that can disrupt visual data transmission. Zhaolong's GMSL2 components feature a double-layer 90% high-density braided shielding, providing enhanced anti-interference capabilities. Supporting high-speed transmission at 6Gbps, it can maintain low loss and a low bit error rate even in highly interfering environments, ensuring the long-distance synchronous transmission of high-definition video and control signals and meeting the high-bandwidth and low-latency requirements of industrial vision systems.
③ Integrated Component Solution for Streamlined Installation Zhaolong offers a standardized integrated solution combining cables and connectors, which can be used directly without the need for debugging, thereby reducing the complexity of system integration. Cable-Assembly-level Full-link Consistency Testing: Before leaving the factory, each component undergoes comprehensive testing, including TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry), eye diagram analysis, insertion loss, return loss, and EMC shielding detection, to ensure stable and reliable signal performance.
Flexible Customization and Expedited Delivery: Customization options are available for lengths ranging from 1 to 15 meters to suit different application scenarios, enabling customers to deploy the components quickly and reducing both cabling complexity and maintenance costs.
04 Conclusion | Seizing the Golden Opportunity in the AI Machine Vision Arena, We're Already on the Move!
In the ongoing wave of AI and intelligent manufacturing upgrades, machine vision is evolving from traditional two-dimensional recognition towards higher precision, larger data volumes, and more intelligent decision-making. Whether it's quality inspection and positioning recognition in industrial robots, dynamic sorting and path planning in smart logistics, or the real-time perception and interaction of humanoid robots with complex environments, machine vision is rapidly transitioning from an "auxiliary perception" role to a "core decision-making" one, bringing substantial commercial value to the industrial chain.
According to industry data, by 2027, the total size of China's machine vision market is projected to reach 56 billion yuan, with the market for 3D machine vision alone expected to reach 16 billion yuan. As the demand for high-precision images, especially 3D images, continues to grow, vision systems are placing even higher demands on data links: higher resolution, faster frame rates, and lower latency. This presents the perfect opportunity for the GMSL2+FAKRA high-speed transmission components to showcase their capabilities.
As a leading enterprise in the research, development, and manufacturing of data cables and connection products, Zhaolong has always been committed to the optimization and innovation of data links for machine vision and AI robots. Through its product system that combines independent research and development, standardization, and customization, it provides in-depth services to high-growth application fields such as industrial robots, humanoid robots, smart logistics, medical imaging, and autonomous driving.
In the future, Zhaolong will continue to increase its investment in high-speed transmission components such as GMSL2/GMSL3 and 10G/25G Ethernet, and will continuously drive technological iterations in the directions of high bandwidth, high flexibility, high durability, and environmental sustainability, with the goal of becoming a global leader in industrial machine vision transmission solutions.
Now is a critical moment to capitalize on the high-growth opportunities in the AI machine vision industry. A set of high-speed, stable, flexible, and reliable transmission components is not only the vital channel for a robot's "intelligent eyes," but also a crucial step towards advancing intelligent manufacturing to a higher level.
Zhaolong Interconnect cordially invites you to attend
[2025 China (Shanghai) Machine Vision Exhibition] Experience the GMSL2 high-speed visual transmission solution firsthand!
Booth No.: W5 Hall - 5110 Date: March 26th - 28th, 2025
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