With the help of a laser-range finder, a laptop and a Microsoft Kinect, researchers at MIT have created a wearable piece of equipment that can map out a building in real time.
The prototype, called SLAM (short for Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), was announced today.
Essentially, SLAM operates as a second pair of eyes by generating a virtual map of the user's location (think: real-time strategy video games.) Creators of the device say they hope firefighters and emergency personnel will use the device to help them more easily navigate through thick smoke during fire emergencies.
Watch the video above to learn more. How else can real-time mapping be used? Let us know your thoughts below.
Image courtesy of Flickr, GEEK ASiA