If I understand this right, they are essentially crowdsourcing the addition of 3D models to Google Earth, no?
If so, that's a really great idea on how to get high-quality work done for lots and lots of cities, for almost free...
If so, that's a really great idea on how to get high-quality work done for lots and lots of cities, for almost free...
I havn't explored this yet but from what I've seen there is no competition or extra bonus for modeling a building. I think it could be really successful if it was turned into some sort of game.
Some way to publicize one's work -- to get more recognition for it -- would certainly make it even more successful though.
Incidentally, to make this work the coverage areas seem to have multiple aerial views, not unlike the maps on MS Live (or Bing maps or whatever it is now). Seems as if Google has quietly taken up doing streetview-air.