After Google confirmed its 3D-sensing Project Tango smartphone the other day, a developer has already used the prototype device to highlight some of its capabilities, TechCrunch reveals. Matterport, which develops “computer vision and perceptual computing solutions like software that maps and creates 3D reconstructions of indoor spaces,” shows in a short video how Project Tango’s two cameras and advanced sensors are able to map indoor environments.
Matterport has apparently been working on similar technology including cameras to capture 3D data from indoor spaces. Its software is able to capture color camera data and a full mesh of 3D data at the same time, and then create the corresponding 3D model. “We’re getting the same mesh quality that we’re getting from our camera,” CEO Bill Brown said, suggesting the technology will further be improved. “It doesn’t ‘look’ as good, but that’s just because it’s a prototype.”
Google plans to give Project Tango units only to 200 developers who will be encouraged to create special apps that can take advantage of the phone’s hardware and software features, including indoor mapping apps and even advanced games that could take advantage of the user’s surroundings.
The video showing how Project Tango can actually “see” rooms follows below.
