Researchers developed a compact, lightweight depth sensor inspired by the eyes of jumping spiders, which use minimal computation for depth perception while navigating and snagging prey; the depth sensor, which combines multifunctional metalenses, ultrathin nanophotonic parts, and an optimized image processing algorithm, requires less computation than previous passive artificial depth sensors, and paves the way for the future incorporation of depth sensing ability into microrobots, microsensor networks, and ingestible and wearable devices, according to the authors.
Article #19-12154: "Compact single-shot metalens depth sensors inspired by eyes of jumping spiders," by Qi Guo et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Zhujun Shi, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA; e-mail: zhujunshi@g.harvard.edu; Federico Capasso, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA; e-mail: capasso@seas.harvard.edu
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Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences