Insect Vision Biomimetics is the art of mimicking the insect vision system using human produced sensors. Insect eyes are tiny compared to the human eye. An insect uses far fewer brain cells to process visual information than does the human brain. By studying insect vision, Biomimetics strives to produce simpler, more efficient systems that are small and lightweight.
The insect compound eye is composed of many subunits called ommatidia. Several thousand tiny ommatidia can be “wrapped” around the outside of an insect head, each with a slightly different angle of view. Each ommatidia captures a portion of the field of view in up to 3 colors, plus polarized light. The field of view of neighboring ommatidia overlap. These features endow the insect eye with the ability to see in all directions at once without turning its head, to accurately position objects in the visual field and track the motion of objects relative to the insect.
Stürzl and colleagues* have developed a “bee-inspired” eye that allows a single camera to command a 280 degree view. The insect-inspired eye uses a combination of lenses and reflective surfaces to direct the light into the camera. The camera is useful in assessing the visual perspective available to a bee. It has potential applications for drones and robots that need a wide field of vision for navigation and avoiding collisions.
a) Bee Inspired Camera
b) Diagramm of the light focusing. Rays in front of the camera (green) enter through the lenses. Rays to the side and behind the camera (blue) are reflected by a mirror (red) into the camera.
Image: Stürzl and colleagues, Bioinspiration and Biomimetics
*Stürzl, W., Boeddeker, N., Dittmar, L. and Egelhaaf, M. (2010), “Mimicking honeybee eyes with 2808 field of view catadioptric imaging system”, Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, Vol. 5, p. 036002.
This idea of trying to mimick insect eyes and use them for potential drones and robots is a fascinating concept. I think it’s incredible that we have the technology and ability to study insects and their vision and adapt human produced sensors to a similar visual system. This visual system could be used to possibly create robots who can aid people who are disabled or aid in workplaces. It’s great because you don’t need to actually see every detail; you can use what insects have (their ability to see shapes with a fuzziness) to create vision in robots and things that aren’t actually real.
It’s quite interesting to see how the insect vision differs from our range of vision. I find it amazing that we are able to analyze such small creatures and mimic their actions in any way. The way that these scientists are using insect vision could possibly change the way that we use robots as we find more and more ways to use these robots with new technology. I’m excited to see what the future has in store for the technology of our world!
Its interesting that although insect eyes are so small, they have a wider range of vision than us humans. Also, I think its great that we are using this structure to progress technology and help create a more advanced robot. Aside from the aspect of robots I really enjoy photography and this lens could be a huge advancement for digital film as well. Its exciting to think about how many things could be created and improved with this invention.