So it turns out that insects--specifically Sensei Mantis--might be useful for better understanding 3D vision. Dr. Jenny Read of Newcastle University, a professor of vision science, confirms:
"Despite their minute brains, mantises are sophisticated visual hunters which can capture prey with terrifying efficiency. We can learn a lot by studying how they perceive the world," she said. "Better understanding of their simpler processing systems helps us understand how 3D vision evolved, and could lead to possible new algorithms for 3D depth perception in computers."
Short and skinny of it--that's awesome.
That was kind of chill as well.