Time travel might be possible in a few years! Forget about doing 88mph in a DeLorean. With web mapping services such as Google Maps and by using virtual reality software and hardware, one might be able to travel back in time.
Right now, a service such as Google Maps shows the best available images; some of which are over three years old. These images are collected over time but it is not possible to view li
ve changes in images. So far, Google has accumulated over 20 petabytes of data, equal to aproximately 21 million gigabytes. Depending on data availability, images are updated every two weeks. I am almost certain that Google will reach a point where it will be possible to have a series of pictures corresponding to a particular point in time, that, who knows, could be viewed in a sequence.
You probably read everywhere that Facebook has recently bought Oculus Rift, a virtual reality head mounted display, due to be released in 2015. Google has its own Google Glass that, when paired with Google Maps has many possibilities, like a handsfree GPS where the driver never has to take his eyes off the road, while receiving weather and traffic information.
What if by combining this amazing technology, and until Google or someone else gathers enough data, time travel could be possible as a virtual walk through the streets?
Who knows what the possibilities might be?
photo credit: VPL_DataSuit_2 via photopin (license)
Konstantinos Gregoriou – Mediazone TV & Audio Lab Assistant
