German Consortium Develops Array Cameras

Pro-physik.de reports that Daimler AG, DResearch GmbH, Fraunhofer IOF, Jena, Leibniz Institute for Innovative Microelectronics IHP, Sick AG, Microelectronic Packaging GmbH, Sypro Optics GmbH and viimagic GmbH partner to develop a camera module technology based on insects compound eye. Specifically, the consortium intends to develop a HDR camera for industrial imaging, a camera for use in video security systems in public transport vehicles and automotive camera. Such cameras can also be used in consumer products, such as a mobile phone and video telephony cameras. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funds the project within the framework of the "Self-adapting intelligent Multiaperturkamera modules", or "SITARA".

A demonstrator of Multi-aperture camera with VGA
resolution and an optical height of 1.4mm. (Image: IOF)

Thanks to VB for the link!