Start with a line, let the planet complete the picture.
Satellite images provide a wealth of visual data from which we can visualize in interesting ways. Land Lines is an experiment that lets you explore Google Earth satellite imagery through gesture. “Draw” to find satellite images that match your every line; “Drag” to create an infinite line of connected rivers, highways and coastlines.
Using a combination of machine learning, optimized algorithms, and graphics card power, the experiment is able to run efficiently on your phone’s web browser without a need for backend servers.
Learn more about how the project was created in this technical case study or browse the open-source code on GitHub .
We used a combination of OpenCV Structured Forests and ImageJ’s Ridge Detection to analyze and identify dominant visual lines in the initial dataset of 50,000+ images. This helped cull down the original dataset to just a few thousand of the most interesting images.
For the draw application, we stored the resulting line data in a vantage point tree . This data structure made it fast and easy to find matches from the dataset in real time right in your phone or desktop web browser.
We used Pixi.js , an open source library built upon the WebGL API, to rapidly draw and redraw 2D WebGL graphics without hindering performance.
All images are hosted on Google Cloud Storage so images are served quickly to users worldwide.
Made by Zach Lieberman , Matt Felsen , and the Data Arts Team. Special thanks to Local Projects .
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Experiments with Google
A note to our community
Experiments with Google was born out of a simple idea, but you all turned it into something beyond anything we could have ever imagined. You filled it with thousands of experiments that inspired people everywhere - from the classroom to the surface of Mars.
When it comes to the internet, 14 years is a long time. So in the spirit of experimentation we’re trying something new.
This site will continue as a rich archival gallery for all existing experiments. But the action will live on at labs.google, a new place filled with new tools and toys for you to play with. And together we can continue to experiment with the future of technology.
Since 2009, coders have created thousands of amazing experiments using Chrome, Android, AI, AR and more. We're showcasing projects here, along with helpful tools and resources, to inspire others to create new experiments. Here are collections of experiments to explore, with new ones added every week. Have fun.
Featured Collections
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WebXR Experiments
AR and VR made for the web
AI Experiments
Celebrating Creativity and AI
Arts & Culture Experiments
See what happens at the crossroads of art and technology
Experiments for Learning
A collection of experiments that teachers, students, and families are using to learn from home.
Start With One
A collection of experiments that started by working with one person to make something impactful for them and their community
Chrome Experiments
Creative code for the web
Recent Experiments
View all experiments, passage of water, instrument playground, cultural icons, say what you see, don’t touch the art, what's happening.