While Google Maps and Google Earth are primarily designed for navigation, exploration, and spatial data, the underlying 3D mapping technology has birthed an entire subculture of driving simulators. Whether you are looking for a casual browser game or a highly immersive virtual reality experience, the world of Google-based driving is vast.
carGroup.add(body, roof, windshield); scene.add(carGroup); carGroup.position.set(0, 0, 0); 3d driving simulator in google maps
3D Driving Simulator on Google Maps is a web-based game that overlays a 3D vehicle model onto real-world Google Maps satellite imagery. Created by Japanese developer Katsuomi Kobayashi of Frame Synthesis While Google Maps and Google Earth are primarily
// --- Lighting --- // Ambient light const ambientLight = new THREE.AmbientLight(0x404060); scene.add(ambientLight); // Directional light (sun) const sunLight = new THREE.DirectionalLight(0xfff5d1, 1.2); sunLight.position.set(20, 30, 5); sunLight.castShadow = true; sunLight.receiveShadow = true; sunLight.shadow.mapSize.width = 1024; sunLight.shadow.mapSize.height = 1024; scene.add(sunLight); // Fill light from below const fillLight = new THREE.PointLight(0x4466cc, 0.3); fillLight.position.set(0, -2, 0); scene.add(fillLight); Created by Japanese developer Katsuomi Kobayashi of Frame
Choose your vehicle type (Car or Bus) from the settings menu. Use your keyboard arrow keys to start exploring. The Tech Behind the Virtual Drive
// Update car rotation and position carGroup.rotation.y = angle; const forward = new THREE.Vector3(0, 0, -1).applyQuaternion(carGroup.quaternion); carGroup.position.x += forward.x * speed * delta; carGroup.position.z += forward.z * speed * delta;
The simulator is browser-based and does not require an installation. arrow keys to accelerate, brake, and steer.