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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Automated Charting of the Visual Space of Housefly Compound Eyes
Published on: March 31, 2022
Artificial compound eye zoom camera
Jacques Duparré1, Frank Wippermann, Peter Dannberg
1Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering, A-Einstein-Str. 7, 07745 Jena, Germany. Jacques.Duparre@iof.fraunhofer.de
Abstract:
We demonstrate a highly compact image capturing system with variable field of view but without any mechanically moving parts. The camera combines an ultra-thin artificial apposition compound eye with one variable focal length liquid lens. The change of optical power of the liquid lens when applying a voltage results in a change of the magnification of the microlens array imaging system. However, its effect on focusing of the individual microlenses can be neglected due to their small focal length.

