Western Sydney University and the United States Air Force Academy have successfully received neuromorphic data sent from space after launching a set of world-first neuromorphic cameras to the International Space Station.
Developed by the University’s International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems, the space-based cameras are part of Project Falcon Neuro – a joint initiative between the University and the United States Air Force. The neuromorphic cameras are designed for earth observation and analysis of atmospheric events such as sprites – a fascinating high-altitude phenomenon caused by upward electrical discharges from thunderstorms.
The International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems lead researcher Associate Professor Gregory Cohen says these ‘event-based’ cameras, as they are often called, are a completely different type of sensor that operates more like a biological eye than a conventional camera. Saying – “These cameras don’t take pictures, but rather sense changes and only send those when they happen.”
Falcon Neuro was launched just before Christmas last year aboard SpaceX’s CRS-24 Space Station resupply mission.
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