Implementation of insect vision based motion detection models using a video camera

Abstract

Despite their limited information processing capabilities, insects (with brains smaller than a pinhead) are able to manoeuvre with precision through environments that are highly-crowded and contain moving objects. Their ability to avoid collisions using limited computing power forms the basis for this project, in which we attempt to simulate the motion detection ability of insects using two models - the Horridge Template Model and the Reichardt Correlation Model. In this project, the direction of motion of a moving object and its angular speed are determined by capturing visual data using a web camera focussed on a moving pattern generated by VisionEgg software. The performance of both the models is quantitatively compared and various error-reducing techniques are investigated.