The crew down at Google has unveiled their latest of many projects named Project Tango. This new project is in the form of a prototype 5” phone however; the 5” phone isn’t the interesting bit. The interesting bit is what makes it tick, Google have said, “The hardware and software within this phone is designed to track the full 3D motion of the device, while simultaneously creating a map of the environment.”  The sensors in the phone allow it to make over a quarter million 3D measurements every second, updating its position and orientation in real-time, then combining all of the data gathered into a single 3D model of the space around you. This new prototype will be running the usual Android system.

What is the actual point in this project? The point of it all is to have the ability to capture the dimensions of your home. Imagine being able to know the exact distance of your coffee table to your sofa. If that doesn’t take your fancy, how about the ability to download a map that has been generated by someone else so that you know the ins and outs of the building that you may have never been to. If even that doesn’t take your fancy, Google have spoken about the possibility of playing a game on your mobile where the map is your own house. Placing your favourite game character in your front room with a gang of ninjas being in the room next door. The game is on your home field and you will be able to know every nook and cranny. There is also the possibility of a supermarket uploading the map for their store with each shelf labeled, if you were to get lost you will be able to know exactly where you are going. There are currently talks of this project being able to assist the visually impaired, with the ability to navigate unassisted through unfamiliar surroundings.

If you are looking to acquire one of these new prototypes there are 200 dev kits up for grabs. Google are looking for professional developers with the dream of creating more than just a touch screen app. They stated, “We have allocated some of these devices for projects in the areas of indoor navigation/mapping, single/multiplayer games that use physical space, and new algorithms for processing sensor data. We have also set aside units for applications we haven’t thought of yet.”