Biologically-inspired integrated vision systems

ABSTRACT: Tanner Research, Inc., in collaboration with University of Maryland, will determine feasibility and plan for development of technology based on insect visual sensing and processing, which will integrate three modes related to navigation and guidance: motion detection from imaging sensing; polarization sensing and processing to implement a celestial compass; and ocellar sensing and processing for fast attitude estimation. The implementation technology (analog CMOS front end) will be consistent with the requirements of miniature to micro-sized, autonomous/semi-autonomous air vehicles (MAVs), and the context will be vision-based flight control. Circuit models of sensing and processing will be jointly optimized with a wide-field integration (WFI) control approach. Phase II goal will be a full demonstration in an unconstrained, natural environment. BENEFIT: This work will provide a milestone in the development of autonomous/semi-autonomous MAVs, which will ultimately enable pervasive and unobtrusive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, removing troops from harm"s way and vastly improving US capabilities against insurgent / guerilla warfare.