In recent years, increasing numbers of military-backed researchers have been borrowing from nature, effectively leveraging millions of years of evolutionary progress. Until we have machines that are as smart, agile and flexible as animals we will have plenty to learn and robots will increasingly come to resemble living things.
The latest trick learned from nature is called “foveal imaging.” Here’s how I described it for New Scientist:
Inside an animal’s eye, an area at the centre of the retina known as the fovea has a higher concentration of light-sensitive cells than surrounding regions. Showing only the centre of a viewpoint in high focus prevents the brain from being overloaded by high-resolution information.
Now, a computer system that mimics this approach using hardware and software is being developed by Nova Sensors, a company based in California, US. It uses a “detection tracking algorithm” to identify windows of interest within a picture, applying tricks such as motion-tracking, tonal analysis and facial recognition.
Unmanned air vehicles need to carry out real-time target detection and tracking, but are limited by bandwidth and processing power restrictions. Thats where foveal imaging offers big benefits: makers Nova Sensors estimate that for a typical 1024x1024 pixel application, their approach reduces the processor throughput by a factor of 15, and cuts the bandwidth requirement by a factor of five.
Just like digital cameras, infrared sensors are offering more and more detailed images from los-res, grainy shots to megapixel and beyond. But while these detailed images are nice, it’s kind of a waste to expend processor power to make sure every leaf in a tree comes through clear. Instead, you want detail only where it matters, which is what the foveal system provides. It also has the unique advantage that if another enemy does appear out of the foliage, he will be picked up as an area of interest and a new high-resolution window will form to show him with crystal clarity.
Take the picture above, for instance. The left panel shows output in ‘full resolution’ mode, like a conventional imager; the right panel shows foveal regions on one and two eyes, shown in different background resolution conditions.
The high-res windows can also following moving targets — The ability to ‘fly’ numerous foveal windows around the large format FPA [Focal Plane Array] for tracking and surveillance applications is a new capability in the industry, according to Mark Massie, Nova Sensors president.
The system is particularly suitable for tracking moving objects, can produce almost perfectly stabilized images from a moving platform, and recognize pre-defined objects. These are all very handy for UAVs — moving platforms which spend a lot of time following moving targets and looking for defined objects like trucks or people.
The Air Force is also very interested in foveal sensors for munitions, since they provide new capabilities in for terminal guidance. But ultimately, foveal systems will have much wider applications. All sorts of video applications, from videophones to baby monitoring to home security, will benefit from this technology. I suspect that this will be like the many technologies discussed in Weapons Grade where a military development paves the way for a technology which becomes ubiquitous.
– David Hambling
Eagle Eyes for Drones & Missiles
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello, This sounds a bit like the cloning debate to me. Once the Genie is out of the bottle it is almost impossible, without the total collapse of civilizations, to reinstall said Genie.WW
The technology applied to seeing and destroying hard to recognize targets, esp the camoflauged variety necessitates this new platform of imaging. When terrorist look like everyone else in a dark or visually impairing enviroment, we need all the help we can get. Now if Osama wants to take any trail fine, we can see him and then kill him once and for all. That eagle elmblem our country now is more emcompassing in its meaning than ever before!
KPI made one major mistake in his comment.
If the right to own weapons and capitalism is not present, an authoritarian government will result becauase the government is only held in check by itself. and the multple parties will always co-operate to improve their positions, ie, more taxes, more control, mre power. The only thing holding them in check is the wealth (Capital) of the populace, and the will of the populace, backed by guns. the Great slaughters of history would not have happened had the people had weapons
Len
Taking off on a tangent here… if you honestly believe that the right to bear arms has any connection to checks and balances in this day and age, you’re diluting yourself.
Seriously, if it ever came down to it and all the willing peoples took up all the arms they legally could bear against the established government, it would still be like taking a popsicle stick to a gunfight.
This is precisely why all the consequences you suggest by removing said right are already playing out.
What are you people smoking. Big Brother is not coming to get ya!Maybe Janet Reno! But not your governemnt. I know if I go into battle , I want the best. Period. This 2nd amendment shit is crazy. Shut up and go buy a big gun if you’re scared.Bring on the technology. Come out the basement now.
Not to changne the subject, but, these observation capabilities are the only thing standing between society in Afghanistan and America.
Could you imagine growing acres and acres of opium poppies in Southern California? You wouldn’t last 5 minutes. Or building car bombs in some back neighborhood?
We are free because we are free from this kind of criminal activity, and I would gladly give up a couple more meaningless personal freedoms for more of this true freedom.
Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. – Ben Franklin
The Bill of Rights is not negotiable. – Me
Temporary safety? I’m 54 years old, and I’ve never had to worry about roadside bombs, or some Death Squad cutting off my head.
Look around you and see what we have, and realize how precious it is.
The right to bear arms is a very important right to have. Look at the Iraqi People. All of them have arms, and it is very difficult,if not impossible for our own over bearing, over armed forces to so-called liberate them. Our government fears the Iraqi Insurgents because of this. “We fear our government, when our government should fear us!” The only time our government fears us is at election time and no other!
what does this have to do with the 2nd ammendment? this is an obsevation unit is it not and in todays world we need more observation, by people and other means. we are now in a world where we can no longer afford to ignore what is going on around us.
Interesting read!
Steven Burda, MBA
http://www.linkedin.com/in/burda
Just in case anyone out there still remembers him, I t is God almighty that garintees our freedom. Not our guns, not our government, not our etc. Unless we return to our God, we will find ourselves in the middle of the “big brother” situation. God historically gives a nation what it’s people want, even when it results in their being overrun and enslaved. Stand for God or fall for the plans of the devil!
BRC
I always adhere to and keep a distance from everyone. Until now, I did not have a true friend, although I was a lonely, although I did not like the other players that they have many friends send them cheap zeny, I must be rely on myself, at least I will not hurt anybody, and perhaps this is kind of happiness.
Looking back at the past, in those days, we played together; we have no much rappelz money, we have no need equipment and no senior friends too us, but I am still playing very happy. Rappelz left everywhere in our laughter. There is only one reason is that I have her around, I would meet, everything becomes unimportant. One thing I feel very sorry, that is when I married her, mo gorgeous fireworks, mo friends of blessing. Now I have heart, I feel wronged her, I am sorry to her.
Virtual net works, virtual role of the game, I did not as him what people. It is only a game; happy is the purpose of the game. I chat with him happy. I have an on line he will not be alone to upgrade and earn GuildWars money, but rather for the first time chat with me, in this way we often sit together.