Google Maps Going 3D!
Google
Just when I thought I loved Google Maps too much already . . .
SiliconValleyWatcher reports that Google is planning on using "lasers" (insert Dr. Evil finger quotations here) and digital photography to create realistic 3D versions of cities in the USA and abroad.
Of course, they are having trouble with exactly the problem that immediately popped into my head when I read about this project. The laser and photos are being blocked by vehicles and people. I'd imagine several blocks could be ruined if a bus gets between the truck and the target scenery. Ominously, the article notes that "Google wants to achieve results with a single run," which means they're looking for ways to avoid this problem. Perhaps two lasers . . . one that records the distances and such, and a first one that will slice through anything in the way, such as vehicles or pedestrians. Yeah, that's the answer. Or maybe they'll drive a double-decker bus around San Fran with the equipment on the top. How long before the equipment gets snagged off the roof by some low-hanging wires or bridges?
They say that they will create "a realistic 3D online version of San Francisco." I have no idea what "realistic" is, though. It's rather subjective to determine if something is realistic or not. How do you see "realistic" 3D pictures on a standard computer monitor? My guess is that you will be able to virtually navigate your way around the streets of San Fran. Perhaps there will be an option to watch your driving directions from point A to point B. We'll see eventually, I imagine.
This entry was posted
on Monday, June 13th, 2005 at 02:33 by Novac and is filed under All, Bleeding Edge, Computers, Fun, Google, Interesting, Internet, Search Engines, Technology.
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