New system creates instant 3D city models

[Master]

A team based at UC Berkeley has developed a system that allows detailed 3D models of urban areas to be created almost instantly using data captured via lasers and digital cameras mounted on trucks or planes as they cruise through the city. The laser measures and records distances to objects as the camera snaps their pics, and the info is combined and post-processed to create detailed VR-type models, such as the downtown Berkeley model [below], which was created via a 26-minute drive and four hours of processing. The first customer is likely to be the U.S. military (natch), which helped fund the research. We assume it won’t be long before this shows up where we want to see it: in urban combat FPS games.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000960042343/

The possibilities are endless. I can't wait until we have a fully global map. *geeks out*

[dakidski]

I like this tech. Get 'scanning' boys.

[Tain]

That is simply awesome.

[Ki-Sama]

Cool! Also, if it is used in VG's, then companies won't be able to say, "We drove around X town taking pictures and video's to make X game as real as possible." Or if they do, everyone will laugh at them for wasting money. I wonder what else it could be used for game related?

[Jeremy]

This would have saved AM2 a shitload of money on the Shenmue games.

[Rumpy]

Eat it SimCity.

[Brand X]

Holy shit that's rediculous. I knew lasers weren't just for killing in the future!

[AstroBlue]

The problem is, the textures captured will already have lighting. So you'd have to still go back and "clean" every texture to allow for dynamic lighting. Still it will be great for getting a large rough map done that can be polished up.

[Opaque]

This could make for some really neat racing games as well.

[Drewbacca]

The problem is, the textures captured will already have lighting. So you'd have to still go back and "clean" every texture to allow for dynamic lighting. Still it will be great for getting a large rough map done that can be polished up.

Just take photo's on an overcast day.