UK researchers have developed a camera that can look around corners.

In fact, the device can detect the position of a hidden object with centimetre precision and track its movement closely.

The system uses a laser and a highly-sensitive ultra-fast camera to locate the position of an object hidden behind a wall with only three seconds acquisition time, and can reliably track, in real time, the movement of an object located a metre away from the camera.

The study may pave the way for the ability to track hidden objects in real time in a number of real-life scenarios, including surveillance and vehicle collision avoidance systems that can see around blind corners.

The system comprises two pieces of equipment: a laser and a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) camera, which is highly sensitive and has an ultrafast response.

In recent tests, the researchers fired a stream of short pulses of light from the laser onto the floor just in front of the corner, which were then scattered by the floor and went on to hit a hidden object (a human form made of foam 30 cm high).

The light pulses reflected back off the object, into the field of view of the camera (which also points at the region of the floor in front of the corner), and are then detected and analysed.

The system uses the time of flight of the light pulses and shape of the pattern of light received by the camera to provide information about the object’s position.

With this technology, researchers say they can locate the position of an object hidden behind a wall with only three seconds acquisition time, and can reliably track, in real time, the movement of an object located a metre away from the camera.

They are now working on ways to reconstruct the object in 3D.

Their latest paper is accessible here.

Watch the technology in action in the video below.