Mantis-Sized 3D Glasses

Only praying mantises have been found to have 3D vision. Predatory insects are excellent at spotting prey that is nearby and within striking distance, but unlike us, they are unable to perceive depth unless the prey is moving. Do you know how our ability to perceive three dimensions came about? The precise mechanism is difficult to describe and even more challenging to duplicate. For example, how would one teach a robot to see in three dimensions? Or design human-powered artificial eyes that are adept in depth perception?

Researchers looking into the mechanics of three-dimensional vision have looked at praying mantises. They had to create tiny, mantis-sized 3D glasses to accomplish it. Why are mantises? They are the only known invertebrate species with a 3D vision.

They go about it in a different way than how we would. Mantises are solely interested in mobility, therefore what they observe is not nearly as important to them as the fact that it is moving. This could help develop 3D vision for robotics and artificial intelligence.

• Size: 2.5 centimeters
  
  
• Creators: x