Evan ThomasGoogle is said to be bringing Project Tango to tablets.
That's its 3-D initiative that uses dual phone cameras and specialized software to create maps of indoor spaces. Think of it as a cross between a 3-D scanner and a version of Street View for the insides of buildings.
Google's Advanced Technology and Projects Group demo'd a phone using the same tech earlier this year.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Google is planning a prototype tablet with the same tech built in — two rear-facing cameras and an infrared sensor for depth measurement. Analysts say developers will have to do the rest.
"It is critical to open the new technology to developers first as the key is how you can translate the technology into practical applications."
Some devs have already used Project Tango phones for single-pass 3-D mapping. (Via TechCrunch)
Another has built autonomous navigation into a quadrotor. (Via Youtube / Vijay Kumar)
It's hard to say if there's a killer app for consumers in these demos yet, although it would appear Google does have the makings of a killer robot on its hands.
Especially with its acquisition of Boston Dynamics back in December. Here's hoping whatever autonomous cheetah-bot Google ends up shipping comes preloaded with Asimov's laws of robotics.
The company is planning an initial run of 4,000 Tango tablets. Developers will get access to the new goodies ahead of Google's I/O conference in June.
