Throwable Panoramic Ball Camera

Here is a cool concept for a camera- a ball affixed with several camera sensors that can capture 360-degree panoramic photos. Make that ball throwable and capture photos when thrown and it reaches its highest point, just to add some fun element. That is what the researchers at Technische Universitat in Berlin has just developed, a Throwable Panoramic Ball Camera.

Although the Throwable Panoramic Ball Camera may seem like a fun toy to play with, it is really quite a complex piece of device. This special ball is equipped with 36 2MP cellphone camera modules evenly distributed and encased around a 3D printed sphere. The ball is then padded to protect the gadgets encased inside it when thrown.

The Throwable Panoramic Ball also contains an accelerometer which calculates its movement. When it reaches the peak height when thrown, it automatically snaps a single stitched photo in 360 degree panorama. The capture image can then be uploaded to a PC via a USB connection. The developers of this unique ball shaped throwable camera intend to show it off Siggraph Asia 2011 in December with hopes to find some interested investors for it. But for now, this Throwable Panoramic Ball Camera remains an interesting concept.

Image Source: Jonas Pfeil

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