Olympus' projectors and camcorders do a 360 -- still can't ollie

Olympus is experimenting with a new lens capable of a 360-degree horizontal projection or capture. Better yet, they seem to have bunged it together with video processing equipment. According to Google's translation robots, CCD-based projectors and cameras (pictured) fitted with the new "axial symmetrical free curved surface lens" are entering into a period of trial manufacture. Combining a 45-degree vertical field of vision, the Olympus camera would be ideally suited for ceiling mounted surveillance while the projector would likely be little more than a novelty in rev-1. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait for an English translation before delving too deeply into this. So why not clickity-click through for more pictures while you wait.