$200 robot will shoot, stitch panoramas

Can't get the hang of shooting panoramas with your compact digital camera? A $200 robot developed University and NASA's Ames Intelligent Robot Group will turn any modest-resolution digital compact camera into a high-resolution super panoramma capture device.

Called Gigipan, the robot can automatically shoot up to 300 photograhps over 10 minutes to a half-hour on a tripod-mounted camera, taking focal length into account; then special software stitches the images together for high-resolution panoramic images. The image shown, for example, is made up of approximately 200 images.

While it's intended for use with relatively simple cameras, Gigipan may have many serious applications, including forensics, geographical surveys, as well as fine-art scenic photography that can produce wall-sized images. The images are said to have extremely high detail.

The developers are creating a web site, www.gigapan.org (not functioning as of this writing), and availability of the Gigipan for purchase, expected in early spring, will be announced on the site.