Smart, flexible Camera Sheet Project

Funded by NSF CPS program
Project Overview
Objective
Motivation: Existing camera systems either lack versatility in function or have bulky form factor. We wish to develop an ideal camera which features: small form factor, high signal-to-noise ratio, optical zoom, multiple planes of focus
Motivation (contd.): Currently there are no generic algorithms that recognize a 3D scene/object from 2D photos. The existing solutions are limited to specialized object recognition. For example: text and book cover recognition, face detection in modern cameras. We wish to develop efficent software solutions capable of: genetic object recognition, understanding scenes from images and videos.
Targeted applications: enhance safety of transportation systems (embed camera sheet onto surfaces of cars, airplanes, etc.), monitor driver behaviors (mount inside vehicles), body-mounted cameras (to replace current bulky ones on soldiers' helments and rescue dogs), immersive visualization of sports.
Implementation strategy: Hardware. Fabrication of variable-focus lenses for the micro-cameras. Develop light concentrators for enhanced collection and concentration of light to compensate for small lens apertures. Design efficient micro-scale actuators for on-demand direction control of the cameras. Realize the flexible camera sheet using batch fabrication techniques.