Low-Cost Visual Microphone Uses Light to 'Hear'

Researchers at Beijing Institute of Technology have developed a low-cost visual microphone that uses light instead of sound to capture audio. Employing single-pixel imaging, the system detects subtle vibrations on surfaces caused by sound waves, converting them into audible signals. Unlike traditional microphones, this approach requires only light transmission, making it cheaper and applicable in scenarios where traditional mics fail, such as conversations through glass. Successful tests included reconstructing spoken numbers and a segment of Beethoven's Für Elise, highlighting potential applications in environmental monitoring, security, and industrial diagnostics.