Forget about the days when you are only given an option to search information from a database of people and places stored in Google's server. How about exploring places and events in real time? Does this sound interesting?
With Telepresence sharing, you can control Google's mobile robots that can capture real time video footage of popular buildings, places, events and send the video data into your mobile device directly. Amit Singhal's Star Treck (see tweet below) is coming to a reality. In future, you can command Google using Google Now and make use of telepresence robots to access any location of your choice and get real time feed whenever needed.
Let me give you another example. Suppose you wish to capture the live news feed of the next Barack Obama's speech but are unable to reach the venue physically. No problem, with the help of remote vehicles, Google can catch the live presentation and get that data feed live on your mobile device. Real time search of news, events and places will just get better when Google starts using remote devices for Telepresence sharing.
Why The Need?
For example, a user may search the Taj Mahal and receive thousands of pages that describe the great Taj Mahal in India, present pictures taken of the Taj Mahal, etc. Even with all this information, the user still lacks the experience of viewing and exploring the Taj Mahal. Well, a valid point. Who else doesn't want to experience the Taj Mahal without even physically present in Agra, India.
Feel The Thrill
A remote device can be a remote controlled helicopter. The user of the user wearable computing system is able to control the operation of the remote controlled helicopter and view the received video feed captured by the remote controlled helicopter.
The responsiveness to user controls combined with the real-time video feed enables the user of the user wearable computing system to feel as if they were present in the remote controlled helicopter.
Users = Robot Drivers
Every user will become robot drivers as they will have the power to control robots.
Drones = Remote Control Vehicle
Unmanned aerial vehicles or Drones might comprise a larger section of remote control vehicles for Google.
Wearable Computing Device = Google Glass
Google Glass has all the potential to become the so called wearable computing device described in the patent.
But Hold On, It's Paid!
Yes, you need to shed out some money in order to use this service. After all, virtual reality experience can't come free. But who knows, in future, some sort of advertisement innovation from the Adwords team might render the use of Telepresence devices and robots for free. Until then, you need to pay some dollars to make use of this service.
Exploring The Patent - Telepresence Sharing System
The system consists of Telepresence sharing servers, remote vehicles and a wearable computing system. The wearable computing system is most probably the Google glass which can complimentary be used with Google searches in future. All these are main components of virtual reality where the user can virtually reach any location and also feel the excitement and thrill without being present there physically.
The steps that will comprise the entire system are shared below:
Step 1 - User will receive listing of available remote vehicles.
Step 2 - User will select a remote vehicle for telepresence sharing.
Step 3 - Google will engage the selected remote vehicle for the user.
Step 4 - The remote vehicle will begin transmitting the video feed.
Step 5 - The video feed will be routed to the client's mobile device and the user will be able to see a live video display.
Step 6 - user can provide any additional commands to control the remote control vehicle.
Here is a diagram explaining the set of events happening under the Telepresence Sharing System:
Amazing Isn't It?
However, we will have to wait for the day when Google makes it live because Google will have to bear the additional cost of machinery to set up this type of system in place. You can further read about this patent here.