Google phone app creates a virtual realtiy Teesdale

AN upper dale husband and wife adventure team are to feature in a major Google production which will be seen by millions of people worldwide.
A day-in-the-life of Rob and Abi Atkinson, of Kingsway Adventure Centre in Middleton-in-Teesdale, is to form part of the international internet company’s Expeditions app.
The app allows people, particularly school children, to take virtual reality day trips to places they otherwise might never have the opportunity to visit.
This is made possible through 360 degree photographs which, when viewed using a smartphone and Google goggles using the Expeditions app, immerses the viewer in the scene.
While the app is used to create virtual tours of Machu Picchu, Angel Falls and other world sites, a set of “a day in the life” programmes is being developed of different types of careers.
Mark Ellis, head of project development for Twig World which is producing the series for Google, said: “Talking to teachers who use it a lot, the children are asking questions that are interesting because they are engaged.
“It is immediately engaging because you can stand at the base camp of Everest and actually look around.”
Scenes at Low Force were used by education resource company Twig World to produce the feature on the Atkinsons, which may inspire future generations of outdoor instructors across the world.
Mrs Atkinson said it was wonderful to be part of the education programme. She added: “It is really exciting. I was a teacher at Green Lane Primary School so I think it is a really great opportunity for children who don’t have the opportunity to get out.
“It will be wonderful if it inspires children to get outdoors.”
Between eight and ten 360 degree images will make up the Teesdale feature on Google Expeditions.
Each one of the images was taken using a specially developed camera system which features a circular array of 16 GoPro cameras operated by filmmaker and interactive producer Austen Atkinson.
Currently there are only six such camera systems in the world.
He said the cameras take photographs simultaneously which are sent to Google in America where an algorithm stitches them together to produce the 360 degree panorama.