Google is currently developing a highly modular smartphone platform known as Project Ara that is due to pilot this year. It is a highly customisable basic phone with plug-in modules for everything from cameras to custom sensors that can be pulled off, swapped and upgraded as desired.
The idea is to extend the handset lifecycle (the average lifespan of a mobile phone is currently just 18 months) and reduce electronic waste by enabling mass reuse of modules. The different hardware modules available will be made mostly by third party developers, in a similar model to a software app store. If the pilot is successful, the aim is to make the Ara smartphone available and affordable globally, with a basic phone costing as little as $50.
Image: Project Ara / Wikipedia
