The Waffle at Burning Man 2006 panorama by James Bell

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The Gigapan camera is a simple robotic platform for capturing very high-resolution (gigapixel and up) panoramic images from a standard digital camera. Sponsored by Google, CMU and the NASA Ames Intelligent Robotics Group, the Global Connection Project has also developed software which places you inside the panorama and lets you explore.

An earlier version of this imaging technology was developed for the Mars Exploration Rovers; the panoramas created from Mars enabled a simulated experience of being on another planet.  The Gigapan project aims to create a similar experience, but for exploration of Earth.

There are several versions of this device, including a consumer version and a timelapse version.