What? Google takes its Street View project to the Amazon.
So what? Google's Street View service was truly revolutionary when it launched in 2007. A collection of cars kitted out with special cameras and computer technology roamed the streets of America capturing images. These images were then related to maps and allowed users of Google's Maps service to not only see graphical maps online but also to 'walk' down the streets and see what they look like. Whilst initially limited, the service quickly expanded to cover most of America and many other popular destinations worldwide.
For some, Google Street View has also become a holiday reconnaissance tool, allowing them to virtually see where they will be travelling, work out what their hotel looks like or even get a glimpse of sights that are just too far away to see. Very soon, another destination will be added to the list of possible virtual fly-bys: the Amazon.
Google's equipment will be mounted on a tricycle, aptly
named the 'Street View trike'. The trike will spend a
portion of its time mounted on a boat enabling it to capture the
Amazon river from the water. It will then go on land at various
points and be ridden into the Amazon enabling the interior
landscape to be captured. Additionally, Google plans to take photos
from inside buildings and other community centres along the river
so the rest of the world can see what life is like in an Amazonian
community.
Read more
about Amazon Street View.
The Street View technology has already been used to create
feature experiences, such as trekking round
Stonehenge and skiing down Whistler's slopes. Soon Google
will be able to add Amazonian river and village tours to the
list.
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