Brain-Inspired Light Sensor Could Speed AI Image Processing

A new type of imaging sensor inspired by the functioning of the human brain can detect light and store data at the same time. What’s more, the device can forget the data it no longer needs, paving the way for future breakthroughs in robotic-vision efficiency. Today’s digital cameras rely on complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors (CMOS) or charge coupled devices ( CCDs ), which convert photons into electrons. These devices, however, cannot store the images. The data have to be moved into memory and further for processing. “Conventional camera sensors, which capture images, immediately forget them unless the information is transferred to a separate memory component,” says Larry Cheng , a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at Oregon State University. “Our device can se