Google's Taara: Internet at Light Speed?
Imagine a world where underground cables are relics of the past, replaced by beams of light delivering blazing-fast internet. That's the vision Google's moonshot factory, X, is chasing with Project Taara.
Taara is developing a next-generation chip that aims to make high-speed, light-based internet a reality. This "silicon photonic chip," about the size of a fingernail, can steer, track, and correct beams of light to transmit data through the air. No more digging up streets to lay down cables!
How does it work? Think of it like fiber optic cables, but without the cables. Taara transmits data through an invisible beam of light, potentially reaching speeds of up to 20 Gbps over distances of up to 12 miles.
Is this just another "Li-Fi"? While the concept of using light for data transmission (Li-Fi) isn't new, Taara's approach is unique. Unlike Starlink's laser-based satellite internet, Taara focuses on terrestrial connections, beaming data across the earth. The key is maintaining a clear line of sight between the "light bridges," something the team is actively working to improve – birds, rain, and fog, beware!
Project lead Mahesh Krishnaswamy even threw a little shade at competitors, suggesting Taara could offer far more bandwidth than Starlink at a lower cost. Ambitious claims, but definitely intriguing!
The Real Deal: Taara isn't just a pipe dream. It's already commercially operational in 12 countries and was even used at Coachella to boost phone network capacity. With radio frequency bands becoming increasingly crowded, light-based technology like Taara could be crucial for the future of the internet. So, get ready for the light-speed revolution!
Source: Gizmodo