I wonder if the attempt to "replicate" our eyes in this approach is not misguided. Why not have a set of small electromagnetic wires, a magnetic ferrous-fluid,

I wonder if the attempt to "replicate" our eyes in this approach is not misguided. Why not have a set of small electromagnetic wires, a magnetic ferrous-fluid, some distributed optical sensor + orientation and allow a NN to manipulate these "optics" until it "sees" a reference picture. Given enough training, the optics should be able to out-wiggle nearly all traditional optic setups without moving parts and expensive lenses. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrofluid_mirror https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrofluid_mirror