Googles Project Tango Shut Down on March 1, 2018

Project Tango

Project Tango was an ambitious initiative by Google to create a new generation of mobile devices capable of understanding and interacting with the world in a more natural and intuitive way. It aimed to empower developers and researchers to create groundbreaking experiences that would revolutionize the way we use technology.

Core Concept

The core concept behind Project Tango was to equip mobile devices with the ability to perceive and understand their surroundings in three dimensions. This was achieved by integrating advanced sensors, including cameras, motion tracking, and depth sensors, which worked together to create a real-time 3D model of the environment.

Primary Goals and Applications

Project Tango’s primary goals were to enable mobile devices to:

• Perceive the environment in 3D, allowing for more realistic and immersive experiences.
• Understand the user’s location and movement within a space, facilitating navigation and interaction.
• Track objects and their movement, opening up possibilities for augmented reality and robotics.

These capabilities had a wide range of potential applications, including:

• Augmented Reality: Overlay digital content onto the real world, creating immersive gaming experiences, interactive product demonstrations, and educational tools.
• Navigation: Provide indoor navigation, map unexplored environments, and assist visually impaired individuals.
• Robotics: Enable robots to perceive their surroundings and navigate complex environments autonomously.
• 3D Modeling and Scanning: Capture and reconstruct 3D models of objects and environments for various purposes, such as architectural design, manufacturing, and archaeology.
• Healthcare: Support medical professionals with precise anatomical measurements, virtual surgery simulations, and patient rehabilitation programs.

Key Milestones and Advancements

The development of Project Tango involved several key milestones and advancements:

• 2014: Google released the first Project Tango Developer Kit, a tablet equipped with specialized sensors and software, allowing developers to explore the technology’s capabilities.
• 2015: Google launched the second-generation Tango Developer Kit, featuring improved sensors and a more compact design, making it more accessible to developers.
• 2016: Lenovo released the Phab 2 Pro, the first commercially available smartphone with integrated Tango technology, marking a significant step towards bringing the technology to the mainstream.
• 2017: Google announced the discontinuation of Project Tango, focusing its efforts on other technologies, such as ARCore, which aimed to bring augmented reality experiences to a wider range of Android devices.

Key Features and Capabilities: Googles Project Tango Will Shut Down March 1 2018

Project Tango was Google’s ambitious endeavor to bring augmented reality (AR) and spatial computing to the forefront of mobile technology. At its core, Tango aimed to empower developers and users with the ability to perceive and interact with the world in entirely new ways. Tango devices were equipped with a unique sensor suite and a powerful software framework that enabled them to understand and map their surroundings with remarkable accuracy.

Sensor Suite

Tango devices boasted a sophisticated sensor suite that allowed them to perceive and interact with the physical world. This suite included:

• Depth Cameras: Tango devices utilized specialized depth cameras to capture the three-dimensional structure of their environment. These cameras emitted infrared light and measured the time it took for the light to return, enabling them to create a point cloud representation of the scene. This depth information was crucial for understanding the shape and layout of objects and spaces.
• Motion Tracking: Tango incorporated inertial measurement units (IMUs) and visual odometry techniques to track the device’s movement and orientation in space. This allowed Tango to create accurate maps of the environment, even in dynamic situations. The IMUs provided real-time measurements of acceleration and rotation, while visual odometry analyzed images from the cameras to detect changes in position and orientation.
• Other Sensors: In addition to the core depth cameras and motion tracking sensors, Tango devices often included additional sensors, such as:
  • Cameras: Standard RGB cameras captured visual information, providing color and texture data for creating realistic AR experiences.
  • GPS: Global Positioning System (GPS) provided location information, enabling Tango devices to understand their position within a larger context.
  • Barometer: A barometer measured atmospheric pressure, aiding in altitude estimation.

Software Framework and APIs

Tango’s software framework provided a robust set of APIs that allowed developers to access and leverage the device’s sensor data. This framework empowered developers to create a wide range of AR and spatial computing experiences, including:

• Area Learning: Tango’s Area Learning API allowed developers to create persistent maps of physical spaces. These maps could be used to create location-based AR experiences, such as interactive museum tours or guided navigation in unfamiliar environments.
• Motion Tracking: The Motion Tracking API provided access to the device’s real-time motion and orientation data. Developers could use this information to create AR experiences that responded to user movement, such as virtual objects that appeared to be anchored to specific locations in the real world.
• Depth Perception: The Depth Perception API enabled developers to access the depth data captured by the Tango device’s depth cameras. This data could be used to create realistic 3D models of the environment, enabling the creation of AR experiences that interacted with the real world in a physically accurate way.

Comparison with ARKit and ARCore

Project Tango paved the way for the widespread adoption of AR technology. While Tango was discontinued in 2018, its legacy lives on in the form of ARKit (Apple) and ARCore (Google). These platforms offer similar capabilities to Tango, but with some key differences:

Feature	Tango	ARKit/ARCore
Sensor Suite	Specialized depth cameras, motion tracking sensors, other sensors	Uses device’s existing cameras and sensors (including depth sensors on newer devices)
Area Learning	Enabled creation of persistent maps of physical spaces	Limited area learning capabilities, typically focused on smaller areas
Platform Support	Limited to specific Tango-enabled devices	Widely available on iOS and Android devices

Impact and Applications

Project Tango’s impact extends beyond its initial focus on consumer-grade devices. Its ability to map and understand the world around us has opened doors to numerous applications across various industries, making it a valuable tool for businesses and researchers alike.

Healthcare

Project Tango’s potential in healthcare is significant. Its spatial mapping capabilities can be used to create detailed 3D models of hospital rooms and patient spaces, aiding in:

• Improved Navigation: Patients and staff can easily navigate complex hospital layouts, especially in emergency situations.
• Enhanced Rehabilitation: Physical therapists can use Tango devices to track patient movements and provide personalized feedback, optimizing rehabilitation programs.
• Virtual Reality Training: Medical professionals can use Tango to create immersive VR simulations for training in various medical procedures, enhancing their skills in a safe and controlled environment.

Education

Project Tango’s ability to interact with the real world has revolutionized learning experiences in various educational settings:

• Interactive Learning: Tango can create immersive learning environments where students can explore historical sites, dissect virtual organs, or build 3D models, making learning more engaging and interactive.
• Accessibility: Tango can assist students with disabilities by providing visual aids, spatial awareness, and interactive learning experiences tailored to their specific needs.
• Teacher Training: Tango can be used to create virtual classrooms where teachers can practice their teaching skills, experiment with different teaching methods, and receive feedback in a simulated environment.

Manufacturing

Project Tango’s applications in manufacturing are far-reaching, impacting various aspects of the production process:

• Factory Optimization: Tango can create detailed 3D maps of factories, enabling engineers to analyze workflows, identify bottlenecks, and optimize production processes.
• Remote Assistance: Technicians can use Tango to remotely guide colleagues on-site, providing real-time visual assistance and troubleshooting support.
• Inventory Management: Tango can be used to automatically track inventory levels and identify missing or misplaced items, streamlining warehouse management and reducing errors.

Gaming

Project Tango’s ability to track movement and interact with the real world has transformed gaming experiences, pushing the boundaries of augmented reality:

• Immersive Gameplay: Tango allows developers to create games that seamlessly blend the real and virtual worlds, creating immersive experiences that go beyond traditional screen-based gaming.
• Location-Based Games: Tango can create location-based games where players explore their physical environment, completing challenges and interacting with virtual objects in real-world settings.
• Social Gaming: Tango can facilitate social interactions in gaming by allowing players to see and interact with each other in shared virtual spaces, creating a more engaging and collaborative gaming experience.

Real-World Applications

Project Tango has already been implemented in several real-world projects, demonstrating its versatility and impact:

• Google’s Indoor Navigation App: Google developed an indoor navigation app using Project Tango, allowing users to navigate complex buildings and find their way around unfamiliar spaces.
• NASA’s Mars Rover Project: Tango was used to create a virtual reality simulation of the Mars rover, enabling engineers to test and refine the rover’s design and capabilities before deploying it on the Red Planet.
• Museum Exhibit Enhancement: Museums have used Tango to create interactive exhibits, allowing visitors to explore artifacts in 3D, learn about their history, and engage with museum content in a more immersive way.

Impact on the Future of Augmented Reality and Spatial Computing

Project Tango has played a pivotal role in advancing the field of augmented reality (AR) and spatial computing. It has demonstrated the potential of combining real-world data with virtual information, creating immersive experiences that blur the lines between reality and the digital world.

• Spatial Computing: Project Tango has paved the way for spatial computing, where users interact with digital information in their physical environment, creating new possibilities for how we work, learn, and play.
• AR Development: Project Tango has served as a platform for AR development, allowing developers to experiment with new AR applications and push the boundaries of what is possible with this technology.
• Future of User Interfaces: Project Tango’s focus on spatial interaction has influenced the development of new user interfaces, moving beyond traditional touchscreens and keyboards towards more intuitive and immersive ways of interacting with technology.

Reasons for Shutdown

Google’s decision to discontinue Project Tango in March 2018 was a surprise to many in the tech community. The project, which aimed to create devices that could understand and interact with the world around them using advanced sensors and computer vision, held immense potential for a wide range of applications. However, several factors ultimately led to its demise.

While Google didn’t explicitly state the reasons for the shutdown, a combination of market adoption, competition, and technological advancements likely played a significant role.

Market Adoption

Google’s initial vision for Project Tango was to create a platform that would enable developers to build innovative applications that could leverage the device’s spatial awareness capabilities. However, the project faced challenges in achieving widespread adoption. The high cost of Tango-enabled devices and the limited availability of apps that fully utilized its features were significant barriers to entry.

Competition

The mobile augmented reality (AR) landscape was rapidly evolving during the time of Project Tango’s development. Companies like Apple and Google itself were investing heavily in AR technologies, including ARKit and ARCore, which were designed to be more accessible and widely adopted. These platforms offered a more streamlined approach to AR development, making it easier for developers to create AR experiences for a larger audience.

Technological Advancements

The rapid pace of technological advancements in computer vision, sensor technology, and mobile processing power contributed to the changing landscape of AR development. The availability of more powerful and affordable mobile processors made it possible to implement AR experiences that were previously only possible on specialized hardware. This shift made it less necessary for dedicated hardware like Tango devices to be successful.

Legacy and Impact

Project Tango, despite its discontinuation, left an indelible mark on the landscape of augmented reality (AR) and spatial computing. Its development and eventual closure provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with pushing the boundaries of these emerging technologies.

Lessons Learned from Project Tango’s Development and Shutdown

The development and subsequent shutdown of Project Tango offer several key lessons for the advancement of AR and spatial computing. These lessons are not only relevant to technology companies but also to researchers and developers working in these fields.

• Importance of User Adoption: While Project Tango showcased impressive technical capabilities, it struggled to gain widespread user adoption. This highlights the crucial need for AR and spatial computing technologies to be user-friendly, accessible, and offer compelling real-world applications.
• Balancing Innovation and Market Readiness: Project Tango’s advanced technology was ahead of its time in terms of market readiness. This underscores the importance of striking a balance between pushing technological boundaries and developing solutions that address real-world needs and market demands.
• Value of Open Source and Collaboration: Project Tango’s open-source nature fostered a vibrant developer community, contributing to its advancements. This highlights the importance of collaboration and open-source platforms in accelerating innovation and driving adoption in emerging technologies.

Impact of Project Tango on AR and Spatial Computing

Project Tango’s influence extends beyond its direct impact on the AR and spatial computing landscape. Its contributions have shaped the trajectory of these fields in several ways:

• Pioneering Depth Sensing: Project Tango pioneered the use of depth sensing technology in mobile devices, paving the way for its widespread adoption in AR applications.
• Advancements in SLAM: Project Tango significantly advanced Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) techniques, which are crucial for creating accurate and immersive AR experiences.
• Stimulating Research and Development: Project Tango spurred research and development in areas like computer vision, 3D reconstruction, and motion tracking, contributing to the overall advancement of AR and spatial computing technologies.

Future Advancements Based on Project Tango, Googles project tango will shut down march 1 2018

The groundwork laid by Project Tango has paved the way for future advancements in AR and spatial computing, particularly in the following areas:

• More Affordable and Accessible Depth Sensing: Project Tango’s advancements in depth sensing have led to the development of more affordable and accessible depth sensors, making AR technology more readily available to a wider audience.
• Improved SLAM Algorithms: Research inspired by Project Tango has led to significant improvements in SLAM algorithms, enabling more accurate and robust spatial mapping in AR applications.
• Integration with Other Technologies: The lessons learned from Project Tango have paved the way for the integration of AR with other emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), leading to more powerful and immersive experiences.

Googles project tango will shut down march 1 2018 – While Project Tango’s journey may have ended, its legacy lives on. The technology’s innovative approach to spatial computing paved the way for advancements in AR and VR, influencing the development of platforms like ARKit and ARCore. Although Tango itself may be gone, its impact on the future of immersive technologies remains undeniable.

Google’s Project Tango, the ambitious platform that aimed to bring augmented reality to smartphones, is officially shutting down on March 1, 2018. While Tango might be fading into the sunset, it seems like the world is embracing wearables with open arms, as Apple Watch pre-orders reportedly exceeded 2.3 million units. Perhaps the future of augmented reality lies in our wrists, not our pockets?

Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure, Google’s Tango is going out with a whimper, not a bang.