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More Info on Google's 3D Maps 171

Posted by timothy from the this-will-rock-for-directions dept.
Will Stewart writes "You have doubtless read that Silicon Valley Watcher reported on 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, but you may not have seen the picture of where the trucks are kept and Berkeley's unrelated research project and published technical research (PDF file)."
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More Info on Google's 3D Maps More

More Info on Google's 3D Maps

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  • Picture of the actual 3D images? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by moz25 ( 262020 ) on Tuesday June 21, 2005 @07:22AM (#12871026) Homepage
    Are there any public screenshots available yet of what it's going to look like? I understand the basic principles of what they're going to do, but it's still a little hard to envision what the end result is going to look like.

  • Link to the actual image (Score:5, Informative)

    by peterprior ( 319967 ) on Tuesday June 21, 2005 @07:25AM (#12871046)
    To avoid loads of db queries and ads, the actual (rather uninteresting) picture is:

    http://www.siliconvalleywatcher.com/mt/archives/Go ogleGarage.jpg [siliconvalleywatcher.com]

  • bypass the blog (Score:4, Informative)

    by anandpur ( 303114 ) on Tuesday June 21, 2005 @07:25AM (#12871047)

    http://graphics.stanford.edu/projects/cityblock/ [stanford.edu]

  • Giant Anderson Shelter (Score:3, Interesting)

    by Ronald Dumsfeld ( 723277 ) on Tuesday June 21, 2005 @07:27AM (#12871058)
    Well, their picture looks like a giant Anderson Shelter [wikipedia.org]

    Are their competitors likely to try and bomb the truck?

  • I call BS (Score:5, Interesting)

    by SquierStrat ( 42516 ) on Tuesday June 21, 2005 @07:28AM (#12871069) Homepage
    I call BS. That looks like any one of a thousand quonset huts on Camp Pendleton and other Marine Corps bases. How do I know that it isn't a picture of one of them?

    Also - wow, who cares.
    • But because I know exactly which huts those are - that's the Solar Car Project on Stanford campus. Unless maybe Google is too cheap to buy their own frickin' Quonset huts.

  • Some more info (Score:5, Informative)

    by sonamchauhan ( 587356 ) <sonamc@NOsPam.gmail.com> on Tuesday June 21, 2005 @07:29AM (#12871075) Journal
    Some related info:

    More on Google 3D maps [newrecruit.org]
    3D Buildings
    Lets start with the big things first. On selected US cities, you can view a grey scale 3D rendering of the city skyline. Pictures are worth more then words so I'll let the screenshots do the talking. ...
    This was in Keyhole but it's still amazing. Screenshots really can't capture how amazing it is to freely move around a 3D world.

    Amazon's "Blockview" [a9.com]
    The most powerful technology A9.com invented for Yellow Pages is "Block View," which brings the Yellow Pages to life by showing a street view of millions of businesses and their surroundings. Using trucks equipped with digital cameras, global positioning system (GPS) receivers, and proprietary software and hardware, A9.com drove tens of thousands of miles capturing images and matching them with businesses and the way they look from the street.

  • Huh? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Quixote ( 154172 ) * on Tuesday June 21, 2005 @07:31AM (#12871081) Homepage Journal
    All I see is a picture of a large garage. How do we know this is where the truck(s) is (are) kept? And even if the truck were being kept there, what's the big deal? What next: the picture of the garage where a Google programmer parks his car? A menu from a restaurant where Page/Brin ate last month?
    • News at six: Inside the Google toilets. Did you know that Google staff are smart because they're given very nice toilets and lots of toilet breaks? This is why they are never FOS.

  • How do they remove people? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by LiquidCoooled ( 634315 ) on Tuesday June 21, 2005 @07:32AM (#12871083) Homepage Journal
    Won't they capture 3d shots of people walking past or standing around?

    Does the software only account for 3d structures over a certain size?
    • Also, what happens if a building changes (by rolling up an awning or closing a window, for instance) while they're photographing it?
      • Strange, I heard the transformers theme tune when I read that.

        I think thats less of a hassle, since in general buildings are static.

        However, after pondering this for a little while, I think a system of continuous scan refreshing (much like the index spidering) would capture the fixed elements and also show where the dynamic portions are. This includes people, awnings and also things like traffic and other slow moving processes (building extensions or renovations).

        It might actually be good to watch for t
    • that's easy, it's citywide "stay inside while Google maps us" day
  • How is google going to use and who it is going to sell these maps to. While this is all very cool, I just don't feel comfortable having my house photographed and out in 3D. Too much big brotherish.
  • hmmm... we have a rather uninteresting picture of where Google's mapping trucks are parked and then some "unrelated" Berkley research information. Seems this is more about Berkley and 3D mapping in general than it is about Google's 3D mapping efforts.
  • Anyone found one of them yet? In Amazon's versions, you can see motorcyclic keep pace along Gough street, of "go getter pizza", in San Fran (the first hit for pizza). [amazon.com] http://www.amazon.com/gp/yp/B0004B4KH4/103-1660600 -5419803 [amazon.com] I wonder what has has been seen.
  • As previous posters have pointed out, the picture's a bit sketchy for one, and this isn't the first time someone has tried this either.

    Moving right along, however, this seems to me to be a bad idea on Google's part. A 3D map of an area has its merits, this I can grasp. What I cannot grasp is the cost of maintaining its accuracy. Modern construction is so quick to build, rebuild, and destroy properties that a 3D map taken two years ago in LA, or any other metropolitan area for that matter, would look vas
    • I'd rather have Google focus on providing powerful services for global information management and retrieval, instead of spending a lot of time on documenting a minor area this way in fancy 3D.

      I'd rather have them spend money on search engine R&D than this.
      • I understand this sentiment. I also acknowledge that a company which has reached Google's size needs to diversify their pursuits and offerings to keep constant revenue streams and stay afloat.

        It's the reason Microsoft is engaging in as many industries as it is. Same goes for IBM, or Sun, or any other huge player in the IT world. It's diversify or die in this economy. At least Google is making some attempt to make a useful service (if they can get it off the ground) in the process, rather than spam us w
    • Disclaimer: These images were taken in the past and may not be accurate.
    • I'm not sure how bulky and hard to operate the laser mapping components in their trucks are but at some stage in the golden future it's not impossible to envision smaller versions being fitted to pizza delivery trucks, mail vans, buses etc and remotley beaming back up to date photos of places. Obviously some kind of nifty image processing would then take place to check whether any human effecting changes had taken place in the new pictures and if so the 3D map regenerated.

      I agree though that I don't see th
    • I work @ a real estate co. in Boston. We use keyhole, aerial programs such as aerials express, and have pilots fly sites, to zoom in on properties, for sales/leases/whatever.

      having a site flown is expensive, can't be done for the number of buildings we are in charge of working with. you can keep prints when you get them, but the photos become old quickly. aerial software is also a great concept - but after even one year, the images are out of date also.

      As far as google funding this on its own, I don't thi
    • i agree with you. it seems a harrowing undertaking for Google to want to assume. It also seems like something that shop owners and businesses should be responsible for. Google can post requirements for the kinds of photographs, etc, that it needs. Or it can generate a side business. Laser Photographers certified by Google to take the right scans/images for the map project.

      It just doesn't make sense for google to brute force this. Too costly and extensive and time consuming. I do disagree about them having
    • Actually, this kind of change is more a positive than a negative for this kind of project. Though there arn't too many, there are reasons why knowing what an area looked like a few years back is useful. Being able to catalouge the growth and change of an urban area has to be plus for city planners, and having visual records of the conditions of buildings would be worthwhile for insurance adjusters. Mostly it would be good for sentamentalists like me to see how their hometown looked before it was overrun

  • Open Source (Score:3, Insightful)

    by DanielMarkham ( 765899 ) on Tuesday June 21, 2005 @07:43AM (#12871146) Homepage
    I think this is a neat idea, especially if Google opens up all of the data to outside developers (which it has in the past)

    Imagine new MMOGs where the cities are real! Or virtual tours of New York, say, before you actually decide to go visit. There are a lot of great possibilities.

    I guess you could even plug data like this into a Sim-City-type game, where the virtual city is modeled just like the real one. Sort of gives the term "city planning" a whole new meaning.

  • more pictures please (Score:5, Funny)

    by GreasyBloater ( 840895 ) on Tuesday June 21, 2005 @07:45AM (#12871160)
    Can someone please acquire photos of the following items:

    - gas station used to fuel the trucks
    - hose used to clean the trucks
    - steel drums containing the trucks used oil

    These would be most (snort) valuable for my collection. (snort)

  • E&S (Score:1)

    by sammyo ( 166904 )
    Evans & Sutherland has had a bunch of cities available for 'walk thrus' for years: (not a great link but one can infer what 'legacy dataset' implies)
    http://www.es.com/products/software/ect/index.asp [es.com]

    There must be something clever/neat/subversive, er special, about the google truck. I bet it has a terrorist sensor.

    • There must be something clever/neat/subversive, er special, about the google truck. I bet it has a terrorist sensor.

      Right. Combine that with the face recognition software that the Tampa PD uses (used ?) and the real story here is that the google trucks are cruising the Castro looking for Usama Bin Laden and his buddy Omar. Any minute now HSD will announce the capture of the terrible twosome at an undisclosed location

      Remember, you heard it here first.

  • From what a friend told me, he was asked to do a job that basically involved driving a truck around the city imaging all the buildings. I too wonder what this would look like.
  • Or is Google going to be "the 00s" in meme form 20 years from now?

    Google seems to be doing more stuff then anyone else and repeatedly pushing the boundaries of what they can and will do. Seems like Google may well be our "wonder of the decade", lets just hope they stay the same and don't get corrupted too baddly.
  • How about getting some topographic maps instead? I love using google maps to plan training bike rides, since I am in a new area and am learning the place. It really sucks to plan a route for a relaxed-pace ride only to find out it has several monster climbs back to back, however.

    Another great feature would be the ability to upload a GPS track to overlay on google maps, so I can see where I've been. Even more killer would be the same ability in reverse for when I use google maps to get directions. Downl

    • Re:Better idea (Score:2, Informative)

      by yellowbkpk ( 890493 )
      All of your ideas are great ones and can be acomplished with Google Maps right now, plus a little work.

      1) Your elevation idea is very good. Elevation data can be found from the USGS website and others. Plot it on the map with different colored "pins" representing the different heights and you've got yourself a topo map.

      2) Downloading GPS tracks has also already been done. I can't find the URL right now, but someone has done it. Check out http://groups-beta.google.com/group/Google-Maps/br owse_frm/thread/ [google.com]
    • Keyhole (Google Earth) already has elevation data, though for something like bike trails, its usefulness might be limited by the resolution of the data.

      Keyhole also already tracks GPS coordinates and lets you add your own locations and overlays. I don't know if anybody has written tools to automatically translate between GPS export data and Keyhole's format, but I can't imagine it'd be that difficult.

      There's a free trial of Keyhole that's well worth the download; you might want to have a look and I expect
  • Here's another unrelated research project [uni-hohenheim.de] :)

  • .jpg already /.ed -- here's a lo-res mirror though (Score:5, Funny)

    by PeeAitchPee ( 712652 ) on Tuesday June 21, 2005 @08:17AM (#12871371)
    and also for our Lynx-using folks . . .

    ()--
    |
    -------
    | | |
    ========
    0 0

  • Midtown Madness (Score:2, Interesting)

    by BlueOtto ( 519047 )
    This would be awesome to integrate for Midtown Madness maps, especially when your own city gets added.

    Regardless, being able to "drive through" from car perspective would seem like a great way to learn your way around a town.

  • Will Google Map the Oceans too? (Score:3, Funny)

    by CrazyJim1 ( 809850 ) on Tuesday June 21, 2005 @08:53AM (#12871662) Journal
    I think its a safe bet that they'll opt for mounting lazer beams on sharks.
  • ...we've got a new subject to stalk. W00t! Trucks with frickin' laser beams!!

  • The best use (Score:3, Insightful)

    by doconnor ( 134648 ) on Tuesday June 21, 2005 @09:11AM (#12871807) Homepage
    The best use of these maps would be load them into a racing game and allow you to race around the city of your choice.

  • Do no evil (Score:2, Funny)

    by kramerino ( 858631 )
    I believe the actual quote from the google spokesperson was "We're going to build trucks equipped with frickin' lasers on top of their heads."

  • 1: I want to go out tonight. I've heard of this really cool new art show but I don't know where it is. I look up the intersection and realize that the addressing in that neighborhood is all screwy. I check the location using the 3d map and get a quick visual. I'm on my way.

    2: I am looking at a 3d view of the city, in it I can see links that connect me to thousands of activities. Not just general mapping but social mapping that allows the user to search for data, that connects her/him to whatever is

  • FAKE (Score:1, Insightful)

    by Anonymous Coward
    Has no one looked closely at the picture [siliconvalleywatcher.com]. The opening of the garage is an OBVIOUS photoshop addon. I've seen pr0n that was better hacked together.
    • no doubt about it... horrid photoshop. I don't even know why you would photoshop that door / inside area... unless of course there isn't a huge opening and it has a big sign reading "Joe's Garage"

  • Maps (Score:1)

    by certel ( 849946 )
    I was pretty surprised at the detail of those maps. I'm sure this is only the start of what google plans to do with them.

  • Best videogame, EVAR! (Score:3, Funny)

    by chaboud ( 231590 ) on Tuesday June 21, 2005 @10:24AM (#12872488) Homepage Journal
    Seriously, this sort of data collection could lead to:

    A) Awesome video games
    B) Large questions about privacy when Google scans you in your house
    C) Really awesome video games

  • No, that's the Stanford Grand Challenge vehicle (Score:3, Funny)

    by Animats ( 122034 ) on Tuesday June 21, 2005 @10:54AM (#12872747) Homepage
    That's not the Google mapping truck. That's Stanford's entry in the DARPA Grand Challenge, [stanfordracing.org], which is a Volkswagen Touareg with a bunch of SICK laser line scanners mounted on a roof rack. The scanners all face generally forward and down, which is right for automatic driving but wrong for city modelling.

    Those old Quonset huts are on Stock Farm Road near Campus Drive. The Stanford Solar Car project and the Grand Challenge team use them.

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