Google’s new experiment transforms your smartphone into a lightsaber

Google’s new experiment transforms your smartphone into a lightsaber

On its Google Chrome Blog, the company revealed the launch of its latest Chrome Experiment:“Lightsaber Escape,” built for your phone and computer.

 “Lightsaber Escape,” s collaborative project between Disney, Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic, is a virtual experience that brings the film to life via web technologies. The adventure begins in a Star Destroyer, where users will use their smartphone as a lightsaber to escape the First Order.

To initiate the lightsaber users must first connect and calibrate a phone. The lightsaber can be turned on and off by pressing the blue button on the lightsaber handle that is displayed on the phone screen.

The 3D graphics were built with WebGL and Google is also using WebRTC and WebSockets to enable real-time communication between mobile and desktop devices to make the entire experience more interactive. As an added bonus, the experience works across browsers, and without plug-ins.

Google has created an entire Star Wars experience in addition to Lightsaber Escape. Users can experience Star Wars: The Force Awakens across  Google apps and explore Jakku Spy, a Google Cardboard Experience. Using Google Cardboard viewrs can experience virtual reality on a smartphone to explore the Star Wars universe. Participants will receive secret messages from BB-8 as they explore Jakku.To begin, a user must be signed in and select a side.

For a detailed tech overview, visit Google’s technical case study on developers.google.com.