CycloMedia

Profile
CycloMedia is a Dutch company specialised in the large-scale and systematic visualisation of environments based on 360° panoramic photographs. Using specialized technology, large public areas are photographed and stored in an online database. The images are captured from public roads at street level, using a car to carry the camera system.

The high resolution spherical panoramas are geometrically correct and thus allow the user to perform photogrammetric 3D measurements and use the imagery for 3D modelling and texture mapping. The panoramic photographs have been used for the construction of virtual environments, indoors as well as outdoors in the form of 3D city models. Furthermore, the imagery has been used for the quality control of large-scale maps.

History
1980 - 1990

The idea of 360° panoramic photography initially started at the Technical University of Delft. The foundation of CycloMedia was laid in 1980. The first research for a camera prototype, the FRANK-system, was carried out that year. In 1986 FRANK was established in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. In 1987 the first prototype of the camera was ready to make black and white recordings.

1991 - 2000

At the end of 1991 the development of a digital film scanner and computer-controlled measuring system started, that was commercially used a few years later. In 1992 the company moved to Vught. On October the 4th of 1994 the formal introduction of CycloMedia followed. In 1995 the first customer, the municipality of Rotterdam was completely recorded. In 1999 CycloMedia moved to Waardenburg.

2001 - 2004

Hereafter the era comes of digital full colour photography. Late nineties the development of a new, digital system starts. This system, the Digital Cyclorama Recorder (DCR) 2, is taken in use as from 2001.

2005 - the present

In July 2005 CycloMedia takes a new production system DCR 3 in use. Moreover there is a portable system as a result of which it is possible to make recordings at locations that a car cannot reach. In 2006 the company again started to build a photo database of the Netherlands. Furthermore new developments in the field of camera technology (DCR 7, to make recordings while driving) started and also the developments around 3D are progressing.