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Google to Map San Francisco in 3D

Posted by samzenpus on from the topographical-internet dept.

mtz206 writes "SiliconValleyWatcher reports that "Google plans to use trucks equipped with lasers and digital photographic equipment to create a realistic 3D online version of San Francisco, and eventually other major US cities. The move would trump Amazon's A9 service, which offers two-dimensional photos of buildings on US city streets.""

4 of 267 comments (clear)

  1. Re:What is the practical application for this? by metlin · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Yes, you are.

    It makes navigation a lot easier, settings of a city a lot familiar and an advancement in technology.

    I mean, you wouldn't expect us to still be playing 2d games, do you? We perceive things in 3d and can relate a lot more easily to real-world landmarks than abstract notions - a realistic 3d map of a city would mean that it is more life-like.

    At the very least, it is cool technology and it is progress.

  2. Here's what I would like to see one day by ChrisF79 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Ever map out where you're going, only to find that its nearly impossible to see any address numbers on buildings, making it harder than it should be to find your destination? I'd like to see streaming video that shows you the drive to wherever you're going. Of course, you could speed it up for the long parts, but show the turns so you know what to look out for. It seems like they could equip some delivery trucks (from other companies) with cameras, maybe strike a deal with UPS or Fedex, and then sort out the video later. Of course, it would take a lot of work, but it could start with smaller cities and work its way up. Now that's what I'd like to see...

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  3. Re:What is the practical application for this? by csteinle · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Don't know about San Francisco, but it would certainly be useful here in Edinburgh. It's possible to get lost in 3 dimensions here. If you don't know the city you can easily be standing exactly where you want to be according to the map, but be looking up thinking "how the hell do I get up there?"

  4. Re:There is already a virtual London project at UC by Fulkkari · · Score: 4, Interesting

    There was a project to create a 3D model of Helsinki about 10 years ago in VRML. I think it was a part of some bigger project they called Arenanet, which included map services etc.

    The version I tried on the Net was basically quite ready in that sense that it had most if not all the buildings. The project however disappeared silently some years ago. There is still this site left with some panorama photos. The original site, arenanet.fi, does not exist any more. Some remnant may still be found at http://arenanet.fi/">the Internet Archive.

    Somebody know more about this project?

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