Microsoft Live Search Maps to go 3D

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 21 February 2007 03:22

Your IT - Home IT

Intermap Technologies is to provide Microsoft with 3D digital terrain data for Great Britain that will enable Microsoft to offer a Live Search Maps product covering the UK. Similar services for other countries are likely to follow.

Intermap's 3D digital terrain model data will serve as the base layer for the placement and alignment of aerial photography and other geospatial layers. According to Intermap, "Images are draped over Intermap's three-dimensional foundation to create a unique and accurate user viewing experience.

Intermap claims that the agreement also sets the stage for the future development of applications to serve a multitude of business and consumer needs around the world. "These applications would have otherwise been unachievable prior to Intermap's creation of these 3D data sets," it says.

Intermap says it is now "aggressively mapping Europe...The collection of the entire country of Germany is now complete and the remainder of Western Europe is scheduled for completion by the end of 2007." The continental US is being mapped concurrently with the European initiative and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2008."