Camera-Equipped Ball Scouts Out the Scene

Nov-04-12 A small, round reconnaissance device for first responders makes checking out the scene as easy as tossing a ball.

Developed by Bounce Imaging, the sturdy, rubber-wrapped ball contains six wide-angle video cameras, which capture two still shots a second as the ball rolls along the floor. The images are then sent to a smartphone or laptop, where they are stitched together to create a 360-degree view of the room. The cameras capture near-infrared light, and infrared LED lights on the ball illuminate the area if necessary. Various versions of the ball could also have different sensors, such as smoke sensors for the firefighter model or digital microphones for search and rescue models.

Prototypes of the reconnaissance ball will begin field testing at the beginning of 2013.

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[GIZMAG.COM]
[BOUNCE IMAGING]

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