Abstract: An optical system includes a splitting optic configured to receive a light beam from a light source and form a set of light bands radiating from the optical system at predetermined angles relative to illuminate a scene. The optical system further includes a lens configured to project a field of view of the scene into a two-dimensional format. The optical system further includes an optical sensor arranged offset from the central axis of the lens to capture a segment of the field of view projected by the lens.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a substrate that is configured to redirect a predetermined percentage of an input light beam at a plurality of angles to form a set of output beams at each of the angles such that light beams redirected at each of the angles cooperate to form bands of light at a range of predetermined distances from the optical apparatus.

Abstract: A spreading optics system distributes electromagnetic (EM) waves emitted by an emitter having an emission vector. The spreading optics system includes reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces include concave first reflector having a concave cross section in a plane substantially perpendicular the emission vector. The reflective surfaces further include a convex second reflector arranged further from the emitter than the concave first reflector. The convex second reflector has a convex cross section in a second plane substantially parallel the first plane. The reflective surfaces are configured to divergently redirect the EM waves into a vector fan at a predetermined angle relative to the emission vector.

Abstract: A sensing method, including: emitting a signal beam; sampling the reflected signal at a sensor with a field of view larger than the signal beam; and determining a surface parameter based on the bright and dark regions associated with the sampled signal.

Abstract: A robotic creature system includes an actuatable head defining eyes, an eyelid mechanism, a body, a drivetrain, and a set of sensors. A method for robotic creature operation includes: detecting an event associated with a technological imperfection and automatically performing a set of expressive actions associated with the event.