Bio-Inspired Electronic Eyes and Synaptic Photodetectors for Mobile Artificial Vision

Conventional imaging and data processing devices are not ideal for mobile artificial vision applications, such as vision systems for drones and robots, because of the heavy and bulky multilens optics in the camera modules. Furthermore, the physically isolated image data processing units of conventional systems induce large power consumption and data latency. For mobile artificial vision applications, electronic eyes, including neuromorphic ones, have been developed inspired by biological eyes and neural networks. Here, we summarize the development of such bio-inspired electronic eyes and synaptic photodetectors (PDs). Bio-inspired electronic eyes, typically consisting of curved image sensor arrays, enable aberration-free imaging and module size miniaturization in addition to other advantageous optical features, such as wide field-of-view and deep depth-of-field. Furthermore, photodetecting devices with synaptic properties can efficiently enhance image contrast because of photon-triggered synaptic plasticity. Therefore, the signal-to-noise ratio of the acquired image can be enhanced, which facilitates efficient image recognition for machine vision. A brief summary of the remaining challenges and prospects concludes this review.