Microsoft brings the Enterprise computer one step closer to reality

Microsoft has just released an amazing application the call Hyperlapse. (Yes, Instagram has a hyperlapse app as well, but it is not as cool.) Microsoft's technology analyzes a video you take and creates a smooth playing time lapse version of it. It can handle anything from a dash cam video in your car (pretty smooth and stable) to a head mounted GoPro on a rock climber. It does this by first creating a 3D model of the terrain you are filming, calculating a smooth path through that model, and then stitching together multiple camera angles to get a smooth result.

Check out this video from Microsoft to get more details. Make sure to view it full screen to get the full effect.

OK, how does this relate to Star Trek? 

Video recording LaForge has the computer convert to 3D

In the episode "Identity Crisis," LaForge is watching a video recording of a past mission. To help him get a better visualization of what he is watching he asks the computer "Do you have sufficient data to compile a holographic simulation of this visual record?" Basically, can you recreate this video in 3D? The computer answer affirmatively and LaForge heads down to the holodeck where the simulation is being displayed.

This is what Microsoft is doing, creating a 3D model of what we are recording and then mainuplating that to smooth the video.

Not all of this technology is new. Microsoft created PhotoSynth in 2006 which would create a 3D model from a series of photos taken. It looks like that is the basis for this technology.



Regardless, this is amazing work. I am very impressed.

The 3D version the computer creates