Brown University researchers develop brain-inspired camera to see through fog

Researchers at the Brown University School of Engineering in the United States have developed a neuromorphic imaging system capable of seeing and tracking moving objects through opaque environments, such as dense fog or muddy water.

Inspired by the human brain, the system combines two specific technologies to mimic the human visual system. It utilizes a camera where pixels do not capture full frames but instead record only changes in luminosity. This data is processed by a spiking neural network designed to function similarly to how retinal signals reach the brain.

Rather than attempting to reconstruct an entire scene, which is often obscured by light scattering in fog or smoke, the system focuses on detecting changes that reveal the presence and movement of objects. This technology holds potential applications for autonomous vehicles, underwater navigation, and emergency rescue operations. The study was published in the journal Advanced Science.