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Scientists Discover Way to Send Information into Black Holes Without Using Energy

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MIT Breakthrough Lets Smartphones “See Around Corners” Using Hidden Light Signals

Modern smartphones are no longer just communication devices. They are powerful mini-computers packed with advanced technology such as high-resolution cameras, AI processors, and even LiDAR sensors in premium models. These innovations already help phones understand depth, create 3D maps, and support augmented reality (AR) experiences.

But a recent breakthrough from researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) suggests that smartphones may soon gain an almost science-fiction-like ability: seeing objects hidden around corners.

Published in the journal Nature, this discovery pushes LiDAR technology far beyond its traditional limits and brings it closer to everyday consumer use.

What is LiDAR and Why It Matters

LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging. It works by sending out tiny pulses of laser light and measuring how long they take to bounce back after hitting an object.

In smartphones, LiDAR helps with:

  • Measuring distance more accurately

  • Improving camera focus in low light

  • Creating depth maps for AR apps

  • Enhancing 3D scanning of surroundings

However, there is one major limitation: LiDAR only sees what is directly in front of it. Anything blocked by a wall, corner, or obstacle remains invisible.

The Big Limitation: Line-of-Sight Vision

Traditional LiDAR systems behave like a flashlight. They illuminate only what they directly face. If an object is hidden behind a wall or around a corner, the light does not reach it, and the sensor cannot detect it.

In scientific terms, this is called non-line-of-sight (NLOS) imaging, and until now, it required expensive laboratory setups and complex hardware.

This made it impractical for everyday devices like smartphones.

MIT’s Smart Solution: Using “Ignored” Light

The MIT research team found a completely new way to solve this problem—not by improving hardware, but by upgrading the software intelligence.

Instead of relying only on strong reflected light, the team developed an algorithm that captures something previously ignored:
extremely weak and scattered light signals.

When light hits surfaces like walls, floors, or furniture, it doesn’t just stop. It scatters in many directions. Most of this scattered light is usually considered noise and discarded.

But MIT’s algorithm does something different:

  • It collects these faint signals over multiple frames

  • It tracks how the phone or objects move

  • It combines data from different angles

  • It reconstructs the shape and motion of hidden objects

In simple terms, the system pieces together a “light puzzle” to reveal what is not directly visible.

Seeing the Invisible in Real-Time

To test the system, researchers used a low-cost consumer LiDAR sensor costing under $100, similar to what could potentially be integrated into smartphones or small devices.

They created real-world scenarios where objects were completely hidden:

  • A moving mannequin behind a wall

  • Cardboard cutouts placed behind partitions

  • Letters and shapes blocked from direct view

Instead of pointing the sensor directly at the objects, the researchers aimed it at nearby surfaces like floors and walls.

Even without direct visibility, the algorithm successfully:

  • Tracked movement in real time

  • Reconstructed rough 3D shapes of hidden objects

  • Identified motion patterns behind obstacles

This is a major leap from traditional LiDAR capabilities.

Why This Breakthrough is Important

This development is not just a scientific curiosity. It represents a shift toward making advanced imaging technology widely accessible.

The researchers explained that their goal is to enable “plug-and-play NLOS imaging,” meaning:

  • No expensive lab equipment

  • No complex setup

  • Just off-the-shelf sensors and smart software

If successful, this could bring high-level imaging capabilities to everyday consumer devices.

How the Technology Could Change Smartphones

If integrated into future smartphones, this technology could transform how we interact with the world around us.

Some possible applications include:

1. Smarter Augmented Reality (AR)

AR apps could become far more realistic by understanding hidden environments, not just visible surfaces.

2. Improved Robotics

Robots could navigate complex spaces better by detecting hidden obstacles and moving objects.

3. Search and Rescue

Emergency teams could locate people behind debris or walls in disaster zones.

4. Security and Surveillance

Systems could detect movement even when objects are not directly visible.

5. Wearable Devices

Smart glasses or headsets could gain advanced spatial awareness.

Current Limitations

Despite its impressive results, the technology is still in early stages.

There are some challenges:

  • It works best when the system already has some idea of the object’s shape

  • Performance may reduce with highly complex or unknown objects

  • Accuracy still needs improvement for real-world consumer use

The MIT team is now working to make the system more flexible, so it can detect unknown and changing shapes without prior assumptions.

A Step Toward “Hidden Vision” Technology

What makes this breakthrough especially exciting is that it does not rely on futuristic hardware. Instead, it uses smarter computation to unlock hidden information already present in light signals.

This reflects a growing trend in technology:
Software is becoming as important as hardware in expanding human perception.

Instead of building more powerful sensors, researchers are learning how to extract more meaning from existing data.

The Bigger Picture

If this technology continues to develop, it could redefine what “seeing” means for machines and smartphones. Devices may no longer be limited by walls or corners in the way humans are.

We are moving toward a future where:

  • Phones understand hidden environments

  • Machines interpret indirect signals

  • Everyday devices gain near “X-ray-like” perception of surroundings (within physical limits of light scattering)

While still experimental, this research shows how close we are to turning science fiction ideas into real-world tools.

Conclusion

The MIT breakthrough in non-line-of-sight LiDAR imaging marks a major step forward in mobile sensing technology. By transforming weak scattered light into usable information, researchers have shown that even affordable smartphone sensors can detect hidden objects.

Although the system still needs refinement, its potential is enormous. From smarter AR applications to life-saving search operations, this innovation could reshape how machines perceive the world.

In the coming years, your smartphone may not just see what is in front of it—it might also understand what is hidden just out of sight.

Reference: Somasundaram, S., Young, A., Dave, A. et al. Imaging hidden objects with consumer LiDAR via motion-induced sampling. Nature 653, 693–699 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10502-x

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