Google DeepMind combines Genie with Google Street View to simulate real places

Google DeepMind announced the integration of its Genie world model with Google Street View, enabling the creation of interactive virtual environments grounded in real-world imagery. This new capability, called Street View grounding, is part of Project Genie, an experimental prototype. Users can select a real place in the U.S. via a Maps pin, optionally apply a style (e.g., Ocean World, Desert Sands), and describe a character; Genie then generates an imaginative world starting from that location's Street View imagery. The technology is powered by Maps Imagery Grounding. Project Genie, including the Street View feature, is rolling out to eligible Google AI Ultra subscribers ($200/month, globally, 18+). Previously, Genie was used by Waymo for hyper-realistic road simulations. Street View grounding is initially available only for U.S. locations.