Development of an Ultra-Fast Camera Integrating Optics and Computing to Improve Vision

In an unprecedented breakthrough, a team of scientists from the University of Washington and Princeton University has invented a new type of integrated camera using innovative techniques that combine optics and computing. This innovation aims to enhance computer vision technologies, allowing devices to “perceive” what they see, which requires advanced processing of images and videos, similar to how the human brain processes images.

The major accomplishment lies in replacing traditional camera lenses, which are typically made of glass or plastic, with 50 layers of meta-lenses, lightweight optical components that use nanostructures to manipulate light. The key feature of this technology is that it directly integrates computations into the optics, allowing for computational operations to be carried out within the lens structure itself, significantly boosting the device’s speed.

Among the most remarkable results of this invention, the new camera can operate at the speed of light while reducing energy consumption, making it more efficient at quickly recognizing objects. Additionally, this new technology helps accelerate the process of image recognition and classification, more than 200 times faster than traditional systems using computers, while maintaining the same level of accuracy.