Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed artificial compound eyes inspired by the unique visual capabilities of praying mantises. The team, led by associate professor Kyusang Lee and Ph.D. candidate Byungjoon Bae, sought to address the limitations of current machine vision systems, particularly in applications like self-driving cars and robotics where accurate depth perception and real-time data processing are critical.
The newly developed prototype mimics the mantis’ eyes, which combine the wide field of view characteristic of insect eyes with binocular vision, providing depth perception in 3D space. This is achieved by integrating microlenses and multiple photodiodes into a hemispherical geometry, emulating the mantis’ natural eye structure. The use of flexible semiconductor materials allows for the creation of these compound eyes, which offer a wide field of view and superior depth perception.
One of the key innovations of the project is the use of “edge” computing, where data is processed close to the source of collection, reducing the need for extensive data transfer and external computation. This approach not only minimizes energy consumption but also enables real-time spatial awareness, making it suitable for various applications such as autonomous vehicles, drones, robotic assembly, and smart home devices.
The system’s efficiency is further enhanced by a sensor array that continuously monitors changes in a scene, encoding relevant data into smaller sets for processing. This mimics the way insects, including the praying mantis, use visual cues and motion parallax to interpret their surroundings. The researchers’ work, published in *Science Robotics*, highlights the potential of biomimetic solutions to improve machine vision technology, offering a pathway to more efficient and accurate visual systems in the future.
