Google, M.I.T, and Umberto Eco are teaming up to build a cloud, literally. The Cloud is, to be precise, an ambitious architectural undertaking which they hope to have ready in time for the London Olympics in 2012. And here’s the interesting part, the ‘cloud’ will be “fed by real time information from all over the world.” The project comes from M.I.T.’s Senseable City Lab and is now looking to secure funding, with micro-payments from the public, and sorting out other small details like building permits.
“The lightweight transparent tower, composed of a “cloud” of inflatable, light-emitting spheres, would create a spatial, three-dimensional display in the skies of London, fed by real time information from all over the world,” a statement issued by the project reads.
“The size of the Cloud will not be set in advance, but it will evolve based on the level of contributions received. The global “cloudraising” effort will be supported by platforms such as Facebook and Twitter; Google will provide advertising on YouTube and in search results.,” it continues.
The project certainly sounds impressive and the photos look great, but can they really pull it off by 2012? Just raising the money, if they rely solely on what are basically donat… (read more)