So, on Friday we told you a little bit about Google’s new Project Tango 3D mapping phone. I have to admit, that while this looks pretty cool on paper, I was a bit skeptical about how it would actually work. However, TechCrunch was given a first-hand look at the device in use, and it is mind-blowing. TechCrunch writer Matthew Panzarino discussed the video below:

Now, we’ve got an exclusive look in the video below at a real 3D indoor map of a room captured with one of the prototype devices by Matterport. Matterport, which makes computer vision and perceptual computing solutions like software that maps and creates 3D reconstructions of indoor spaces, was one of the few partners Google chose to give an early prototype of the device to.¹

Wild, wild stuff. There are some pretty incredible possibilities for this 3D mapping phone. The military could throw these phones on robots, and sweep buildings and rooms; construction workers could be given an incredibly detailed map of a major project; civil engineers could use these to map and monitor old sewage lines, and subways. The possibilities are endless. If you have an awesome idea, go tell Google here for a chance to build on one of these phones.