Scientists develop 'fly-eye' camera

A camera with a bug’s eye view of the world that copies nature’s design for insects has been developed by scientists.

Like the compound eyes of dragonflies and bees, the camera has an array of individual miniature lenses laid out over a curved surface.

It can capture a sharp image across an angle of 180 degrees – an impossible feat for conventional cameras.

The researchers believe their “fly-eye” camera could have useful applications in surveillance and medicine.

Details of the camera are published today in the journal Nature.

One of the biggest technical hurdles was producing a lens array over a domed surface.

A precision pressure technique similar to blowing up a balloon was used to create the hemispherical shape.

Team leader Professor John Rogers, from the University of Illinois in the US, said: “Certain of the enabling ideas build on concepts that originated in our labs a half dozen years ago. Ever since, we have been intrigued by the possibility of creating digital fly’s eye cameras.

“Such devices are of longstanding interest, not only to us but many others as well, owing to their potential for use in surveillance devices, tools for endoscopy, and other applications where these insect-inspired designs provide unique capabilities.”