New robot eyes respond to blinding light 5 times faster than humans

Researchers at Fuzhou University in China have developed a novel machine vision sensor that adapts to extreme lighting conditions about five times faster than the human eye, achieving adaptation in roughly 40 seconds. This sensor uses quantum dots—nano-sized semiconductors that efficiently convert light into electrical signals—engineered to trap and release electric charges in a manner analogous to how human eyes store light-sensitive pigments to adjust to darkness. The device’s layered structure, incorporating lead sulfide quantum dots with polymer and zinc oxide, enables rapid and energy-efficient adaptation to harsh light changes, mimicking key behaviors of human vision. Beyond speed, the sensor improves energy efficiency by filtering visual data at the source, reducing the computational load typical of conventional machine vision systems that process all data indiscriminately. This selective preprocessing is similar to the human retina’s function of focusing on relevant visual information, which could benefit applications like autonomous vehicles and robots operating in variable lighting environments. The research team plans to expand the technology by integrating larger sensor arrays