Google's ATAP hints at 'ambitious' driving app and Project Ara update

It looks like Google's secretive Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) group has some surprises in store for us after all. 

Though initially missing from the schedule for Google's upcoming I/O developer conference, a recent update shows the team behind Project Ara and Tango will make an appearance at I/O, with an hour-long session slated for Friday morning.

Titled "Bridging the physical and digital. Imagine the possibilities. ATAP," the session description promises some tantalizing possibilities -- including, possibly, a driving app of some kind.

"Ambitious blue sky research coupled with a driving application," the description on I/O's website says. What that means is unclear (we're keeping our fingers crossed for driverless cars though we aren't getting our hopes up) but the ATAP session has been one of the splashier sessions at previous I/O conferences -- so we have high hopes it will be good, whatever it may be.

The rest of the description also hints that we'll hear updates on ATAP's other projects, including Project ARA (the oft-postponed modular smartphones), Project Jacquard (interactive fabrics), Project Soli (radar-based gesture sensors) and Project Tango, which is not officially part of ATAP anymore but will likely be a big focus at I/O this year, 

While ATAP's session has previously been one of the more anticipated events of I/O, the plan for this year's conference was unclear. Regina Dugan, the former DARPA director who oversaw the unit within Google, departed the company last month for a similar position at Facebook. Judging by the list of presenters on the session descriptions, it looks like Dugan has been replaced by another DARPA alum, Daniel Kaufman, who is now "commander of the ATAP pirate ship." 

Here's a look at the full description for the session, which will also be live streamed.

Optimized for speed and agility. Diversity and scale. Ambitious blue sky research coupled with a driving application. Because we don’t believe in false choices. Projects that integrate our physical world with our digital lives… that connect us with our humanity and leave us with a sense of wonder. Fabrics that interact. Radars that sense. Platforms that are modular. Computers with a new vision. A feast for your eyes and ears in 2D, 360 and VR. ATAP + developers + commercial partners… showing the world that the seemingly impossible is possible.

And stay tuned for Mashable's live coverage of the ATAP session and the rest of the news from I/O.

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