Google is Creating Technology to Provide Internet Through Light Bridges

Google has had a breakthrough idea that could change how we connect to the internet. At X, the company’s research lab known for ambitious projects, scientists have created a new chip. This innovation could allow us to use light beams to provide fast internet access, which may eliminate the need for the underground cables that we currently depend on.

The initiative is called Taara, and a team unveiled this new chip, which is a powerful technology that can manage and correct light beams to send data wirelessly. Impressively, this chip is about the size of a fingernail, much smaller than earlier versions which were as large as a traffic light!

Taara works in a way similar to fiber optic cables, which also use light to transmit data. However, instead of relying on expensive cables buried underground, Taara sends information directly through the air using invisible light beams. Google claims that this technology can transfer data at speeds up to 20 Gbps and can work over distances of up to 12 miles.

While Google is not the first to use light for data transmission, the idea is gaining popularity. The concept known as “Li-Fi” has been around for more than ten years and is becoming more recognized, with standards established in 2023. Furthermore, Starlink, the satellite internet service, utilizes lasers to relay data from its satellites to stations on the ground.

What sets Taara apart is that it uses light beams to send information across the Earth, rather than from space. As long as the light bridges can see each other, they can communicate effectively. Google is tackling challenges that could block the light, such as birds, rain, and fog. Mahesh Krishnaswamy, the project’s lead, has made bold claims about Taara’s potential, saying it could provide 10 to 100 times more bandwidth than a typical Starlink antenna, and at a lower cost. However, it’s important to note that these claims are about what Taara could achieve in the future, rather than its current capabilities.

Taara is not just a theory, as it is already operational in 12 different countries. It has even been tested at events like Coachella to enhance mobile networks. Experts believe that this technology using light could play a vital role in the future of the internet, especially since available radio frequency bands are running out.

In conclusion, Google’s Taara project may open new possibilities for the way we connect to the internet, bringing faster speeds and more efficient connections without the need for cumbersome cables. With ongoing advancements and practical applications already in place, the future looks bright—quite literally!