Traveling the world is a dream for many, yet it often feels unattainable for those with daily jobs. Enter Nils Bakker, an innovative traveler who has turned this dream into reality using his "Virtual Space Teleportation System." By leveraging advanced technology, he explores the globe without incurring any costs.
Simply request, "Take me to the heart of the Netherlands," and Nils activates a time-space tunnel, instantly arriving in Utrecht, the country's fourth-largest city. His next adventures include the enchanting Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, a fairy-tale wonder nestled in the Bavarian Alps, and the grandeur of Rome’s Colosseum, the largest open-air amphitheater erected during the Roman Empire.
Using an input destination, Nils taps into GPT to generate coordinates, then finds them on Google Maps. This approach, enhanced by Google’s Photorealistic 3D and Unreal Engine technologies, provides a breathtaking aerial view of iconic locations like the FC Barcelona stadium, a source of pride for Spain with its five UEFA Champions League titles.
His journey continues to the majestic Grand Canyon in the United States, the famed Empire State Building in New York, Tower Bridge in London, and the picturesque "Pink City" of Toulouse in France.
What makes Nils's achievement remarkable is his creation of this teleportation system. Similar to Doraemon’s Anywhere Door, he skillfully uses three essential components: Unreal Engine 5.1, ChatGPT, and the Google Maps 3D Tiles API. In just one week, he crafted his teleportation portal and shared insights in a blog post.
Google's 3D Tiles, introduced at the Google I/O conference, empowers developers with access to comprehensive visual geographic imagery across 45 countries and 2,500 cities. By integrating ChatGPT's API into his virtual engine, Nils has transformed the fantastical into the feasible. The adaptable blueprint in his virtual engine links to the API, enabling users to input prompts for dynamic outputs.
When users submit a prompt, the system generates XY coordinates, city names, countries, and intriguing location facts, which then appear as visual 3D text positioned in a "real world" context.
Employing the Google Maps API and Cesium platform, Nils collects geographical data for accurate 3D views. After organizing the location and geometry data, he loads it into designated spaces, culminating in a seamless teleportation experience. To amplify realism, he utilizes the Niagara particle system, mimicking a sci-fi teleportation effect.
For smooth transitions, Nils implements ground collision checks to prevent users from ending up beneath surfaces or suspended in mid-air, accommodating diverse global elevations. He also carefully places the teleportation landing spot slightly behind the target, allowing users to fully appreciate their destination.
Beyond visual detail, Nils considers time and weather for a more immersive experience. Currently, his teleportation generates random time values, but he aims to integrate local time and weather data in future updates.
In the realm of real-world adventures, Michael Motamedi has entrusted ChatGPT to plan his family’s six-month global journey. Traveling with his wife, Vanessa Salas, and their 18-month-old daughter, they typically spend weeks researching travel plans. However, with the help of AI, they quickly chose Morocco as their next destination in just one hour.
Motamedi describes their journey as an exhilarating leap into the unknown, acknowledging the unease of relinquishing decision-making to AI. "When you’re not making decisions, it can be unsettling," he admits, yet social media users applaud his adventurous spirit. They utilize GuideGeek, an AI travel assistant powered by OpenAI technology, which tailors travel suggestions based on personal interests in scenic beaches, architectural marvels, and culinary experiences.
After spending a month in a new country, whenever Motamedi consults GuideGeek for their next destination, it responds with options that align with their preferences. "I have no idea where I’ll end up in July; it’s exhilaratingly chaotic," he shares.
While confident in AI, Motamedi remains vigilant regarding the potential inaccuracies of technology. He occasionally fact-checks the AI's suggestions to ensure their travels stay grounded in reality.
Using AI tools like ChatGPT for global travel encapsulates both excitement and caution, showcasing the incredible possibilities technology offers our lives.
Ranking
