This new camera (the concept just came out April 2016) is being developed by researchers at Columbia University. It will be flexible enough that it can be wrapped around or placed on objects such as cars, desks, streetlights, and even clothing. Normal cameras capture images from a single point of view, but this camera will use a grid of minature cameras to take pictures. It may be used for security purposes, because it could be wrapped around a pole for a 360 degree view. In addition, because it is flexible enough to be used on clothing, it could help visually impaired people be more aware of their surroundings.

Researchers have developed a prototype of this camera, which is made of an elastic sheet composed of silicone rubber lenses. When the sheet is bent the lenses adjust their optical properties, and the focal length of each lens varies with the local curvature on the sheet which allows the camera to take high quality pictures that aren't distorted.

They are still working on making a flexible grid of light-detecting

sensors to pair with each of the lenses to make it a full working camera.

They're hoping they can make this camera the size of a credit card, and as thin as a

piece of paper. Also, they are hoping that the final cameras can be made with inexpensive plastic sheets, since there's no need for electrical or mechanical mechanisms to control the lenses.

Video- 0:00-1:25 & 2:40-2:55