Just recently, Google revealed that its Glass wearable had exhausted its experimental status and was becoming a full-fledged company focus. Now another device is making a similar move, but this one still feels strongly experimental.

Google has revealed that Project Tango, which outfits tablets and smartphones with depth-sensing, motion-tracking cameras that can create 3D maps of the world around it, will no longer be housed in its ATAP (Advanced Technology and Products) department.

Instead, the development team is “transitioning from ATAP to a new home within Google,” reads an official Google+ post. “We’re excited about the continued commitment to developing the technology for our users – we wish our fellow pirates fair winds and following seas.”

What does this mean for now? Beyond its ongoing development, that’s unclear. Previously, Google said that LG would release a consumer-ready Tango tablet by the end of 2015, although at this point, the broad consumer appeal seems difficult to pinpoint.

It’s a device that could have strong benefit in understanding the world around us, but from what’s been shown, it still feels like something best suited for scientists, engineers, and academics rather than your average tablet buyer. But we’ll see: development kits are out there, and we’re very intrigued to find out how software developers can create greater purpose for this exciting and curious tech.

Source: Google ATAP