Military Snoops In Gigapixels
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US engineers have produced a camera with 50 gigapixels that is likely to be used by the military for surveillance.

The 50,000 megapixel camera has been dubbed Aware2 and was developed by engineers from Duke University in North Carolina with funding from the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).


The 50 gigapixel camera consists of 98 tiny cameras with a computer stitching together images to produce photos of unprecedented detail.

“Each one of the microcameras captures information from a specific area of the field of view,” said the projects leading engineers, David Brady.

“A computer processor essentially stitches all this information into a single highly detailed image. In many instances, the camera can capture images of things that photographers cannot see themselves but can then detect when the image is viewed later.”

Its inception was a collaborative effort between engineers David Brady, Michael J. Fitzpatrick and scientists from the University of Arizona and the University of California.

 

The prototype isn’t shy on space, with the BBC reporting it measures two-and-a-half feet square and 20 inches deep, largely due to cooling apparatus.

“The camera is so large now because of the electronic control boards and the need to add components to keep it from overheating,” Brady said.

However, he estimates within 5 years, the components will shrink enough to make the prototype practical.

“As more efficient and compact electronics are developed, the age of hand-held gigapixel photography should follow.”

Full camera specifications can be found here, while clicking here will take you to sample images.