New Camera System Captures How Animals Perceive Colors

The technology, which records video in four color channels, offers over 92% accuracy in predicting perceived colors and is available open-source for further development.

Scientists have developed a camera system that accurately captures how animals perceive colors, offering a new perspective on the world as seen through the eyes of different species.
The camera records video in four color channels: blue, green, red, and ultraviolet (UV), and the data is processed into 'perceptual units' to produce an accurate video of how those colors are perceived by animals.
The system was tested against a traditional method that uses spectrophotometry and found to predict perceived colors with an accuracy of over 92%.
The camera system is built from commercially available cameras, housed in a modular, 3D-printed casing, and the software is available open-source, allowing other researchers to use and build on the technology.
The technology could have applications in conservation efforts, such as reducing fatal bird window strikes, and in providing new insights into animal behavior and communication.