It looks like Motorola is going to follow in its parent company Lenovo’s footsteps and embrace Google’s Project Tango. Motorola CEO Aymar de Lencquesaing mentioned at a recent press event that the Moto Z may get a module that will give it Tango functionality.
Project Tango is essentially a coupling of camera and software technologies that allows a device to map an indoor area in 3D. The first Tango-enabled device was the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, which first went on sale in the U.S. just recently.
The Moto Z itself was launched this summer, and is Motorola’s flagship device. One of its standout features is that it adds “Moto Mod” functionality, which allows users to magnetically attach modules that add new features. For example, there’s a Hasselblad camera module which gives users a more advanced camera, and there’s a JBL speaker module that allows users to turn their device into a better speaker.
The move makes sense. While Lenovo was the first to embrace Project Tango, the company is shifting its entire mobile focus to the Motorola brand, which Lenovo owns. As such, if Lenovo wants to continue with Project Tango, Motorola phones will need to start embracing the technology.
Not only that, but a Moto Mod seems like the perfect way to add the technology. Some customers may simply not need the advanced software and the type of camera tech required for Project Tango on a day-to-day basis, but having the option in the form of a Moto Mod is nice nonetheless.
The Lenovo Moto Z replaced last year’s Moto X as the Motorola flagship, and was one of the first devices to remove the headphone jack, beating the likes of Apple to the punch.
