Google Introduces Prototype Smartphone With 3 D Sensors

(RTTNews) - Internet giant Google Inc. (GOOG) has unveiled a prototype smartphone with sensors that can create 3D maps of a user's surroundings. The phone has customised hardware and software enabling this.

Developed by the company's Advanced Technology and Projects or ATAP unit, the phone's sensors allow it to make more than 250,000 3D measurements every second. Its position is updated in real-time.

The feature could be used in indoor mapping, helping visually-impaired people navigate unfamiliar indoors without assistance. The firm has offered 200 prototypes to developers keen on making apps for it.

The 5-inch device was developed as part of a project called Project Tango with the support of researchers from 16 companies and organizations.

The stock closed Friday nearly unchanged at 1,203.79 .