Google wants to project holograms of super famous people using drones

It seems Google‘s mad scientists have been playing a little Killzone: Shadow Fall recently. The Mountain View tech giant wants to build smart drones that will output images onto screens, or virtual people onto stages.

“A mobile teleprescence system,” remarks Google’s patent application, “may include a frame, a propulsion system operable couples to the frame to propel the frame through a designated space”.

This frame will also include an “image output device” while it will be propelled by “rotors at opposite end portions”.

But why on earth would anyone or any company want to use something like this? Other than it being damn cool, it’s a novel way to host a conference, projecting footage onto various screens in a multi-screened room. Possibly, in the future at least, the drones could be used to project moving subjects, much like the holograms of Tupac Shakur and Michael Jackson we’ve seen in the past.

Can you imagine reliving one of Steve Jobs‘ iconic speeches in holographic glory? Or perhaps having a pet drone following you around the house, projecting live recipe instructions in the kitchen, or an episode of Rick and Morty in the lounge?

There would be issues in terms of infrastructure for the likes of South Africa — one would probably need beefy wireless connections to run one — but the possibilities are indeed interesting.

If you happen to have a few hours to spare, have a look at the full patent application here.