Google VR Tours Let You See Historic Places In Danger Of Being Destroyed
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Just like endangered species, there are some destinations around the world that are in danger of disappearing forever. But Google is trying to save them — or at least save a digital representation of them.
Google is working with CyArk, a 3-D laser-scanning nonprofit group, to create a database of virtual historic sites that are at risk in real life, thanks to political or environmental threats. It’s called Open Heritage, and you can see the recreations online, through VR glasses or on Google’s Arts&Culture app.
You can see 3-D models of now-inaccessible places like Damascus, Syria, thanks to the laser technology.
CyArk’s founder was inspired by the destruction of ancient sites in Afghanistan and created technology to ensure that, even in the event of human or natural disasters, we’d have a record of the amazing architecture of our ancestors.
For instance, in 2016, the Ananda Ok Kyaung temple in Myanmar was damaged by an earthquake. But CyArk had already mapped the temple, and now, we can see the structure as it was through the 3-D tour.
So how do photos turn into a virtual reality experience? Well, CyArk uses laser mapping and digital photography captured by drones (and people). And then the designers go to work making the photos into a 3-D work of art that we can all enjoy.
Right now, the collection includes 25 historic sites. You can see temples in Myanmar and Thailand, as well as the Al Azem Palace in Damascus, Syria and the ruins of the Mayan city of Chichen Itza in Mexico.
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