A camera shaped like a star topology - nosed groin can take photograph without needing a lens . How ? Because it does n’t take a photo at all , but instead use unreal intelligence ( AI ) to generate an image of where you ’re standing .
The construct has been namedParagraphicaby creator Bjørn Karmann , a aged experience and fundamental interaction clothes designer found in Amsterdam . It exists both as a physical camera and a digital experience that users can try online .
“ Paragraphica is a linguistic context - to - image television camera that employ positioning data and artificial news to visualize a " photo " of a specific spot and moment , ” Karmann explains . “ The view finder expose a actual - metre verbal description of your current location , and by pressing the gun trigger , the camera will create a scintigraphic theatrical of the description . ”

Do you see the resemblance?Image credit: Lindenwood viaiNaturalist,CC BY-NC 4.0, cropped
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double-dyed with physical dial to change the appearance of the image in a style that Karmann order mimics a traditional camera , Paragraphica has testify itself capable of taking outstandingly on - point images in proof of construct scene on the site .
The thought process behind the project including a Noodl screenshot showing how Karmann build the web app that facilitates the camera - to - placement - establish - image process can be determine online . Our personal high spot is the unique tech ’s inspiration : thestar - nosed mole(Condylura cristata ) .

Like the star-nosed mole, Karmann’s AI camera doesn’t need light to function.Image courtesy of Bjørn Karmann
The bizarre snoots of these strange animals are equipped with 22 fleshy tentacle ( more scientifically get it on as rhinal appendages ) that it uses to snuffle through water and soil in search of food . These animals do have eyes but they ’re barely functional , rendering them pretty much unsighted .
No trouble for the ace - nosed mole , however , as they ’ve adapt to lifetime underground where the ability to observe light would be useless anyhow . Instead , they ’ve learned to see through a different sense by use their outre noses to sail the environment , hunting , reek submersed , and possibly even see .
What they miss in mountain they make up for with the fovea – a sensory organ that closely mime that of a visual system . Even weird yet , they will position the fovea centralis ( that sit down in the middle of the star nose ) in the counseling that they ’re inquire , indicating that it could be helping them to build some kind of film of their surround .
“ This amazing animate being became the perfect metaphor and inspiration for how sympathize with other intelligence agency and the way they perceive the humankind can be well-nigh impossible to imagine from a human position , ” sound out Karmann .
“ The camera declare oneself a way of experiencing the universe around us , one that is not limit to ocular perception alone . Through location data and AI picture synthetic thinking , ‘ Paragraphica ’ furnish rich brainstorm into the essence of a moment through the perspective of other intelligences . ”
So , could you be sway to go with a camera that shoots blind ?