InteliSpark client, Circle Optics LLC, wins a phase I SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a new camera system for long-form panoramic images at a low cost.
Several challenges such as parallax errors or perspective errors may arise when multiple photographs are stitched or blended together to form a composite image such as in panoramic photography. Simply put, a parallax error is when an image you take appears differently than it did in your camera’s viewfinder. The viewfinder is located slightly above the lens and views the world at a slightly different angle than the lens does. This causes a displacement of a particular subject, particularly ones that are closer to the camera. These challenges lead to expensive and time-sensitive post-production for content creators and producers attempting to integrate many shots for panoramic images.
Circle Optics, a tech startup located in Rochester, NY, is developing the world’s first stich-less 360° camera that will save costs and labor by rendering a perfect 360° image instantly. The ability to minimize overlapping image capture will reduce the problems of parallax error and perspective errors. The research team, led by Andrew Kurtz, Director of R&D at Circle Optics, will develop software and optical-mechanical alignment and assembly concepts in this project.
Sectors that may benefit from this innovative technology include navigation, aviation, tourism, construction, manufacturing, and entertainment.