In a remarkable leap for technology and science, researchers have developed a groundbreaking bionic vision system inspired by insect compound eyes. This innovative system not only sees the world but also understands it, potentially revolutionizing fields from medical diagnostics to environmental monitoring.
The international research team, spearheaded by Professor Zhang Dawei from the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology and collaborating with Duke University in the United States, published their findings in the journal Science Advances on Thursday.
Insects like bees and dragonflies navigate complex environments using compound eyes made up of thousands of tiny visual units. Mimicking this natural marvel, the scientists engineered a compact bionic vision system measuring just 0.8 cubic centimeters. Despite its small size, it boasts megapixel-level, full-color, ultra-wide-field high-resolution imaging, capturing a 165°×360° view.
“We aim not only to let bionic vision systems ‘see’ the world but also ‘see clearly’ and ‘understand’ it,” said Professor Zhang Dawei. “By studying the structure and information-processing mechanisms of arthropod compound eyes, we’ve overcome limitations that have long plagued traditional systems.”
Traditional bionic eyes faced challenges due to complex 3D structures and limited spatial resolution, often resulting in blurry images. The new system integrates deep learning to build a multi-level visual processing model. This allows it to perform high-definition panoramic image reconstruction, wide-field multi-target positioning, object recognition, multi-target tracking, and even 3D tracking.
Zhuang Songlin, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, highlighted the significance of this advancement. “This research exemplifies interdisciplinary innovation by merging bionics with artificial intelligence,” he said.
The team is now focusing on refining the bionic compound-eye structure for practical applications. Potential uses include micro-unmanned platforms, advanced endoscopic instruments, and intelligent security systems.
“This achievement not only pushes forward AI-powered scientific instruments but also holds promise for advancements in medical diagnosis and environmental monitoring,” added Professor Zhang. “It’s a powerful example of how fundamental research can lead to transformative industrial applications.”
