Autonomous systems including drones, self-driving cars, and robots have steadily become commonplace. However, these autonomous operators often grapple with the challenge of 'seeing' effectively in various environmental conditions, especially when object-blending gets complex. Interestingly, nature appears to have provided a solution to this problem, one which takes its inspiration from the animal kingdom.
Cats have long been celebrated for their exceptional vision, both in bright light and darkness. They possess unique attributes, such as their vertical slit-shaped pupils that help them focus and reduce glare during daylight hours. In low-light conditions, their pupils expand to accommodate more incoming light, while a reflective layer known as the tapetum lucidum intensifies their night vision, resulting in the familiar glow of a cat's gaze.
Having identified this unique attribute in cats, a team of researchers from the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), led by Professor Young Min Song, has created an advanced vision system for artificial intelligence. This system employs a lens and sensors inspired by feline eyes. It features a slit-like aperture similar to a cat's vertical pupil which aids in filtering unnecessary light and focusing on key objects. The system also includes a special reflective layer that improves visibility in low-light conditions, reminiscent of the tapetum lucidum in feline eyes.
As Prof. Song explains, "Robotic cameras frequently struggle to detect objects against busy backgrounds, especially in changing light conditions. Our design addresses this by enabling robots to blur out unnecessary details and concentrate on important objects." This technology further benefits from being energy-efficient as it relies primarily on the lens design rather than heavy computer processing.
This breakthrough technology has opened up exciting possibilities in the realm of robotic vision. The advanced vision system holds the promise of significantly increasing the precision of drones, security robots, and self-driving cars, enabling them to adeptly navigate complex environments and execute tasks with unprecedented accuracy. Prof. Song further highlights that "from search-and-rescue operations to industrial monitoring, these state-of-the-art robotic eyes are ready to supplement, or even replace, human efforts in various critical scenarios."
Disclaimer: The above article was written with the assistance of AI. The original sources can be found on ScienceDaily.
