New 1,000-lens sensor eye gives next-gen robots 180-degree vision

Scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed an innovative artificial compound eye inspired by the fruit fly, featuring 1,027 visual units packed into a tiny 1.5-millimeter sensor. Using femtosecond laser two-photon polymerization, the team achieved extreme miniaturization, enabling a 180-degree field of vision for robots, particularly micro-drones. The device also incorporates tiny hairs (setae) between lenses to prevent moisture and dust buildup, ensuring reliable operation in harsh environments. This breakthrough addresses limitations of traditional drone cameras, which are bulky, power-intensive, and lack peripheral vision, creating blind spots for autonomous navigation. Beyond vision, the researchers integrated a bionic nose using an inkjet-printed chemical array that changes color upon detecting hazardous gases, combining sight and smell in one lightweight sensor. Tested on a miniature robot, the system successfully detected moving objects and avoided obstacles without needing to swivel its head, mimicking insect defensive instincts. Although the prototype faces challenges such as