[mrguyorama]

More than that, I mean eyes have more data than just what light is hitting their retinas. The work that the brain and neurons do to aim and focus your eyes at a distant object essentially solves several math problems that give you very direct distance info. Your brain knows that, if the angular deviation of your eyes away from parallel is X to aim at an object, then it is ~Y distance away. It also knows that, these muscles have to flex this much to focus on that object, which ALSO provides depth info to your brain. Solid state image sensors cannot provide either of those datasets.

These two processes are actually why VR can be difficult on the eyes, because while the main way your brain senses depth is the parallax (the classic "binocular vision" way people think of), the sense of focus is telling your brain that everything is right in front of your eyes.

[ricardobeat]

The first rangefinder, micking this process mechanically, was invented in 1769. You’re essentially arguing for Lidar / sensor fusion.

Do you have any sources for this being a significant factor in human depth estimation? “Infinity” focus starts at 6 meters, yet we’re able to estimate much larger distances with great accuracy.

[adolph]

I looked up the history of the rangefinder and the work of Watt in the 1770s is kind of obscure. For one, he called it a “micrometer” [0] even though he also created something like what is called a micrometer today, only he called it an “end measuring machine.” Additional confusion comes from “telemeter” as an early term for a rangefinder. Only Watt was also there at the beginning of what we now call telemetry: “additions to his steam engines for monitoring from a (near) distance such as the mercury pressure gauge and the fly-ball governor.” [2]

Watt's micrometer, designed between 1770 and 1771, was what we would now call a 'rangefinder'. It was used for measuring distances, and was essential for his canal surveying work.

Adapted from a telescope, with adjustable cross-hairs in the eye-piece, it was particularly useful for measuring distances between hills or across water.

0. https://digital.nls.uk/scientists/biographies/james-watt/dis...

1. https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co59281...

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telemetry

[jjk166]

You know cameras focus too.