SRI International Introduces GeoVRML, a Three-Dimensional Geographic Viewing Technology that Brings the World to the World Wide Web

GeoVRML Offered as an Open-Source Solution, Freely Available Online

MENLO PARK, Calif. (June 5, 2000) - Silicon Valley-based SRI International, a leading independent technology innovator, today announced GeoVRML 1.0, a new standard in web-based three-dimensional viewing technology. GeoVRML 1.0 is an extension of the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) that allows for accurate rendering of geographic data, giving Internet users the ability to integrate all forms of 3-D content into real world scenes. GeoVRML 1.0 gives users an unprecedented perspective on the physical world in which they live.

GeoVRML 1.0 can integrate any landscape, feature or phenomenon that can be expressed with geographical data into the delivered content, accessible from any home, school, or business. GeoVRML 1.0 is offered as an open-source solution and is freely available at www.geovrml.org allowing its capabilities to be expanded further through community-based innovation. The result is a powerful business, research and educational tool.

GeoVRML 1.0 further increases the Internet's value as a resource for understanding the world by providing users with an adjustable, three-dimensional bird's-eye view of lakes, streams, hills, mountains and buildings. Such perspectives can be essential for building projects or studying the effects of land change over time. The technology enables users to place buildings in geographically accurate three-dimensional scenes, or create an inside look at volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. With GeoVRML 1.0, people can model hurricanes in three dimensions, allowing examination of the storm structures from several perspectives so they can determine the timing of emergency procedures. Additional examples include a rendering of the Monterey Bay seafloor and weather data studies. GeoVRML 1.0 also opens up a Web-based virtual universe to users by enabling them to move beyond Earth to explore the planets.

SRI International computer scientists, funded in part by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), have succeeded in developing this technology where previous industry attempts to render geographical information on the Web have met with little success. The Web3D Consortium has unanimously approved GeoVRML 1.0 as a "Recommended Practice," establishing it as a standard in three-dimensional Web technology. This honor, coming from a group at the forefront in its field, reaffirms SRI International's position as a leader in Internet innovation.

"The Web3D Consortium is delighted to make the wonderfully elegant GeoVRML an integral part of our ongoing standardization activities, to the benefit of both applications developers and end-users," said Neil Trevett, vice president of 3Dlabs and president of the Web3D Consortium. "The rapid development and adoption of GeoVRML though the Web3D Consortium's process demonstrates how companies with enabling technology, such as SRI, can leverage the power of open standards - encouraging the widespread adoption of delivery technologies to further the Web3D market."

"SRI International is pleased to have developed this revolutionary technology for free access by Internet users," said Ray Perrault, director of SRI International's Artificial Intelligence Center. "GeoVRML is incredibly valuable as a tool for students and professionals in various fields, including the area of disaster preparedness. This technology opens up whole new areas for exploration on the Internet."


About the Web3D Consortium
The Web3D Consortium was formed to provide a forum for the creation of open standards for Web3D specifications and to accelerate the worldwide demand for products based on these standards through the sponsorship of market and user education programs. This community has spearheaded the development of the VRML 1.0 and VRML 97 specifications, which provide the basis for the development of associated applications. The organizations involved in this effort felt that the creation of an open consortium focused exclusively on Web3D would provide the structure necessary to stabilize, standardize and nurture the technology for the entire community.


About SRI International
Silicon Valley-based SRI International (www.sri.com) is one of the world’s largest independent research, technology development and consulting organizations. Founded in 1946 as the Stanford Research Institute, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of global markets for more than 50 years. As part of its strategy to bring its technologies to the marketplace, SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships and creates spin-off companies.

Visit SRI on the web at http://www.sri.com/