Engineering Biomimetic Compound Eyes for Insect-Eye Visual Systems

Insect eyes represent a paradigm of miniaturized visual systems, offering exceptional wide-field vision, high sensitivity to motion, and an infinite depth of field. In this article, a detailed analysis of the structural characteristics and functional mechanisms underpinning various natural compound eye systems is conducted, establishing a foundation for engineered design. Building on a biological basis, multiple types of biomimetic compound eyes (BCEs) with distinct configurations are designed and fabricated. Key optical properties such as angle of view, optical crosstalk, and imaging performance are evaluated. The work highlights the critical trade-offs in biomimetic design and demonstrates the influence of structural features on integration strategies and imaging outcomes. The experimental results demonstrate that the BCE-based visual systems successfully replicate the wide-field vision inherent in their biological counterparts. The findings offer valuable insights into the design, fabrication, and application of insect-eye visual systems that hold significant potential for advancing a new generation of optical devices, including miniaturized robotics, medical and industrial endoscopes, and ultracompact surveillance systems.