next story Blogs_next_icon

Google in a 3D world with Stanford’s Stanley

Google has struck a deal with Stanford to license the sensing technology behind 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge winner Stanley to improve their maps. It is hoped this will prove to be a secret weapon in its ongoing battle with Microsoft to extend the frontiers of the Internet.

Google will now be able to map out photo-realistic 3-D versions of cities around the world, and possibly regain ground it has lost to Microsoft's 3-D mapping application known as Virtual Earth. Soon an emerging 3-D Internet will eventually be commonplace as increasing numbers of people work, play and shop in virtual environments.

Katherine Ku, director of Stanford's Office of Technology Licensing, said the deal with Google was completed this month. Ku said elements of the deal are exclusive so the same technology will not necessarily be available to competitors.

Jonathan Stark, leader of Team Underdawg in the 2005 race, said Stanley's technology will let Google scan building faces, allowing for a much richer online experience than the current combination of aerial photos and human-created architectural models.

Details of the deal and how it will be implemented are due to be announced during the Where 2.0 conference on May 29 and 30. Here's hoping it involves the phrase "army of robotic Google cars."

[Via engadget ] [Via i4u] [Via mercurynews ]

Latest News:

more....