Google Maps has released a groundbreaking Time Travel feature in its Street View, allowing users to observe how city streets and landmarks have evolved over the past 30 years. The interactive tool uses historic pictures collected since 2007 by Google's Street View cars, creating a virtual database of global change. The users also have the capacity to see changes to well-known landmarks, towns, and even landscapes by selecting specific dates by means of a timeline slider while in Street View mode.
The functionality is accessible on the desktop version of Google Maps. When users enter an address and go into Street View, they can press "See More Dates" to view older imagery for the site.
The function is particularly beneficial in monitoring urban growth, changing seasons, and disaster recovery, such as Japan's rebuilding after the 2011 tsunami.
Google Street View product manager Vinay Shet pointed out the way the feature completes Maps by showing historic views, and it will serve researchers, planners, and people with nostalgia as well.
The initiative is one aspect of Google's goal to create accurate, comprehensive maps and retain historical information around for later use. This is a new way of looking at the world as it once was—no time machine necessary!
