Adding to the wealth of images that are already available to users of Google’s Street View service, Google has this week announced the addition of new images which it has captured from Venice.
Allowing you to enjoy a cruise around the canals of Venice, Google has captured these stunning views by mounting its Street View camera onto a gondola. This innovative approach provides you with a totally immersive view of Venice from your mobile devices or computer. Check out the video after the jump to see how Google captured the canals and alleyways of the ancient city.
Exploring Venice Like Never Before
To see the streets and canals of Venice through 360-degree panoramic Street View imagery, jump over to the Google Maps website. This new addition allows users to virtually navigate through the narrow alleyways and picturesque canals that make Venice one of the most unique cities in the world. Whether you are planning a trip or simply exploring from the comfort of your home, these images offer an unprecedented look at the city’s intricate waterways and historic architecture.
Google explains a little more about their quest to add new content to their Street View service:
“When we first started Street View as an experimental project, we packed several computers into the back of an SUV, stuck cameras, lasers, and a GPS device on top, and drove around collecting our first imagery. We’ve come a long way since our initial U.S. launch in 2007; today we’ve expanded our 360-degree panoramic views to include locations on all seven continents.”
The Technology Behind the Scenes
The process of capturing Venice’s canals was no small feat. Google’s team had to adapt their technology to fit onto gondolas, which are the traditional flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boats. This required innovative engineering to ensure that the cameras could capture high-quality images while navigating the often narrow and winding waterways. The result is a seamless and immersive experience that allows users to feel as though they are actually gliding through the canals.
In addition to the gondolas, Google also used their Trekker backpacks to capture images from areas that are inaccessible by boat. These backpacks are equipped with multiple cameras that take photos every 2.5 seconds, allowing for a comprehensive view of the city’s streets and landmarks. This combination of gondola and Trekker imagery provides a complete and detailed virtual tour of Venice.
The addition of Venice to Google Street View is part of a broader effort by Google to document the world’s most iconic and culturally significant locations. Other notable additions include the Great Barrier Reef, the Grand Canyon, and the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. By making these images available to the public, Google aims to provide educational and inspirational resources that can be accessed by anyone, anywhere in the world.
Source: TNW
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