Researchers built a new camera based on trilobite eyes #shorts

How can ancient eyeballs inspire a new kind of camera?

Produced by Complexly for PBS Digital Studios

[puppieslovies]

Last time I was this early the Cambrian update had just dropped

[rasmusn.e.m]

"I see trees of green, red roses too."
- a sultry-voiced trilobite, ca. 400.000.000 BCE.

[knabe]

It's really hard to try to imagine how focussing near and far at the same time could feel

[generationfallout]

This is one of the many reasons nature is so important. There’s still so much to learn.

[CAPSLOCKPUNDIT]

I NEVER EXPECTED THE CAMBRIAN EXPLOSION TO BLOW MY MIND.

[pete_nana]

Some poor trilobite’s sitting at home realizing their invention was stolen.

[YoungGandalf]

500 million years after the trilobites and I can't see two feet in front of my face without glasses.

[panqueque]

Scientists: "We can't develop a camera that focus on two points at once. This is so hard"
Trilobites: "Pathetic"

[risel]

Out with the old, in with the... older?

[fadillangston]

Trilobites: "Look what they need to mimic a fraction of our power!"

[TheLPNFan]

Oh iI can't wait to see that put into use in movies!

[silmarian]

Could they focus near, far, wherever you are?

[duhduhvesta]

Yesss compound eye evolution video please!!

[spacecatfelix]

I LOVE learning about nature inspired breakthroughs!

[MobiusChains]

It's actually been around for well over a decade. The man that invented it filmed nature documentaries. I don't remember his name sorry but the images will stay with me forever.

[crediblesalamander]

finally, we've made a camera that takes photos that look like they've been photo-shopped.

[solsystem]

Wow, they didn't teach us how to do that in optics! I didn't even know that was possible in theory!

[pedroheck]

Great now I urgently need to see a photo of it

[approachingetterath]

as cool as that camera is, i can't help imagine what glasses for such eyes would be like

[AetherialRaine]

i think using ideas from animals is the best possible thing we can use for inspiration if we are trying to design something. literal billions of years of development for all sorts of situations entirely free for our use.