A new laser backpack developed by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, scans its surroundings, captures images and creates a nearly instant 3D representation of the area.

The backpack contains laser scanners, sensors and cameras that enable it to generate a texture map of an area and snap pictures in all directions, without any human intervention. The images are then mapped onto a 3D model created from the photo scans to make a realistic representation of the location.

The technology allows nearly instant modeling, as the 3D model is created in the time it takes the person carrying the backpack to pass through an internal location.

The research team, led by professor Avideh Zakhor, started the project in 2007 after getting funding from the Army Research Office to develop the technology.

Before focusing on indoor modeling technologies, the team worked on modeling buildings' exteriors using similar devices mounted on a moving vehicle to map streets – technology that was original licensed by Google for its Google Street View.

At present, the team does not have any plans to sell or lease the technology although the researchers note that the backpack has many potential applications, including video game design, military training and architectural design.

Zakhor said the next step was to expand the backpack's uses and collect more architectural data with the models while continuing to improve the technology.