Google's Project Loon to provide internet to the world via balloons flying on the edge of space!
Adam Milton-Barker | Apr 21, 2015 | Drones and Robotics | 3060Google is just one of the companies that have a goal to revolutionize internet access and provide internet to the two thirds of the worlds population that are currently unconnected. In 2013 they launched a project called Project Loon with the aim of using a network of hot air balloons to provide the unconnected population with internet access. Similar to Facebook's solar powered drones, the balloons fly on the edge of space in what is known as the stratosphere and beam internet connection via Wifi to remote areas of the world. Project Loon is teaming up with various telecommunications companies around the world, including Vodaphone in New Zealand, to allow people to connect to the balloon network from LTE-enabled devices via Wifi and has currently tested in New Zealand, California and Brazil. Due to their unique design the balloons fly autonomously and can last up to 100 days, the balloons are now made in the Loon projects own manufacturing facility where they can now produce a balloon in a few hours. The Loon team monitor the balloons via their mission control system and can track the balloons at every stage of their flight, from take off to landing. At first the team could only launch one balloon per day but now with the use of automated cranes they can launch dozens of balloons per crane, per day. With the ability to create thousands of these balloons, project Loon now believes that it close to a point where it will be able to provide internet access to not only remote areas, but everyone all over the world. The new technology makes it cheaper and easier to provide internet access and will no doubts shake up the industry. Check out the videos posted below to find out more about the amazing project and how it will help people all over the world.