Google Geospatial Creator is an AR (Augmented Reality) platform, launched by Google on May 2023. It is powered by ARCore and Photorealistic 3D Tiles from the Google Maps Platform. With this platform creators and developers can build, visualize and launch engaging 3D content in real-world locations.
The platform supports both android and iOS devices by using Adobe Aero and Unity. Everything that is created on Geospatial Creator can be experienced in the physical world through real-time localization and real-time augmentation.
The creations can easily be shared via a QR code scan or link. The end user can go to a particular location and scan the QR code or use the link to access the created content.
Benefits of Geospatial Creator
The AR platform is going to help in different industries and segments such as retail, gaming, metaverse, local discovery, and so on. Let’s have a look at its benefits:
Seamless 3D Model
Geospatial Creator gives the creators access to the same 3D map source used by Google Earth, through the Map Tiles API. Without spending billions of dollars on infrastructure, it enables users to have a seamless and 3D textured mesh model experience. It is really exciting to explore new horizons because location-based AR is really going to change the things we have experienced before.
For example, Gorillaz, an English Virtual Band, used the ARCore Geospatial API. The band revolutionizes the concept of a music video with a global immersive performance that will allow people to gather to enjoy the play in AR. Gorillaz’ performances utilize ARCore Geospatial API to transform public spaces with cultural experiences.
Digital Twin and Reality Capture
With the help of Geospatial Creator, creators, and developers can bring a new AR experience. They can see a 3D map representation of the city in Unity or Adobe Aero. This visual representation feature will help creators with the precise placement of their geolocalized digital AR content so that the digital content will be more closely integrated with real-world surroundings.
By using high-resolution optical imagery and 3D map sources, creators and developers can build their immersive augmented reality experience, for customized locations. However, it can be done only 2500 cities over 49 countries where Photorealistic 3D Tiles are available.
With the help of 3D Tiles, developers can visualize and customize environments, incorporating additional elements and real-time data like traffic information.
Include AR Content in Metaverse
Geospatial Creator, with the help of ARCore, is taking a significant step towards sharing AR content in the metaverse. For example, if we visit a location where we can experience a shared and interactive AR environment with a physical world environment. This sort of approach will be really helpful for education, cultural awareness, and storytelling.
Challenges and Future Possibilities
Although, Geospatial Creator is offering many possibilities in the AR world. However, there are some challenges associated with this. The key limitation is that the Google Earth 3D view is not perfectly visually constructed. Also, the 3D tiles are not available everywhere and are currently not supported on many sites. Yet, the ongoing developments and advancements in AR or emerging technologies will certainly address these limitations and pave the way for further innovation in the field.
