Google Maps Comes to Rio’s Favelas for a 360-Degree Video Project
Photo Credit: Rio: Beyond The Map includes a series of 360-degree videos that introduce viewers to local residents trying to improve life in the favelas. Google
Skift Take
"Rio: Beyond The Map" is Google showing off what destinations can do with its Street View technology to provide an immersive and self-directed virtual experience, combining both 360-degree video and traditional digital content.
Google launched what could turn out to be a landmark 360-degree video platform last week called Rio: Beyond The Map to coincide with the opening of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
The project is the result of an ongoing collaboration between Google and the local Grupo Cultural AfroReggae organization. Together they have spent the last two years in Rio de Janeiro mapping a couple dozen of the favelas using Google Street View technology.
The immersive videos in Rio: Beyond The Map confront the stereotypes surrounding the city's infamous, impoverished favela neighborhoods by presenting stories of hope and inspiration. They're designed to provide a more well-rounded, thoughtful, and positive perspective of these slum communities, which are typically associated with violent crime and crushing strife.
The series of 360-degree videos begin with the viewer riding on the back of a motorcycle as it races through a favela's narrow streets for a slightly harrowing introdu
