Published on 8 January 2024

Virtual Reality (VR)

Initially a hype for enthusiasts, Virtual Reality (VR) becomes an experience for everyone. By means of eight selected scenes from Switzerland, the swisstopo VR App shows the potential of the swisstopo 3D geospatial data for Virtual Reality applications.

The swisstopo VR app contains scenes from Bellinzona, Bern, Gruyères, Luzern, Pilatus, Sion, St. Gallen and Zermatt.

swisstopo VR – “virtual reality” geodata

Thanks to modern media, 3D technology is now available everywhere. 3D visualisation technology is being researched and further developed first and foremost in the film and entertainment industries. We also want to make use of the new possibilities for 3D visualisation. Therefore swisstopo has been investigating how its 3D geodata, in particular its landscape model of Switzerland, swissTLM^3D, can be integrated and visualised in a game engine. The result is the swisstopo VR App. Dive into the virtual world of 3D geodata.

How does the swisstopo VR app work?

From all eight locations a photo and a model can be viewed in 360° panorama mode. The users can switch between modes and observe the scenes in all directions around. The swisstopo VR app mixes 3D geodata from swisstopo with real photographs.  

Picture of the Matterhorn

Digital model with the Matterhorn

swisstopo VR App with Cardboard, step 1 — Choose Cardboard stereo

swisstopo VR App with Cardboard, step 2 — Stereo view

swisstopo VR App with Cardboard, step 3 — Insert smartphone into Cardboard

swisstopo VR App with Cardboard, step 4 — Use swisstopo VR App

swisstopo VR App without Cardboard, step 1 — Choose display Mono

swisstopo VR App without Cardboard, step 2 — Use swisstopo VR App

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swisstopo’s 3D geodata

The following swisstopo 3D geodata sets have been prepared to assist the development of the swisstopo VR app: swissTLM^3D, swissALTI^3D, swissBUILDINGS^3D 1.0 and 2.0 and swissNAMES^3D. The product swissTLM^3D is a detailed and comprehensive topographical landscape model of Switzerland which includes both natural and artificial features as well as name data in vector form. swissTLM^3D is highly accurate and incorporates the third dimension, making it Switzerland’s most precise and comprehensive 3D vector data set.

Where can I get the swisstopo VR app?

The app is available free of charge for Android (Google Play) and iOS (App Store). If the previous version (swissTLM3D) is already installed, it will only need an update.

for Android smartphones/tablets

• Download

Version for Android
size: 182 MB

for iPhone/iPad

• Download

Version for iOS
size: 257.7 MB
Note: Supports iPhone 6 and higher

Google Cardboard

In order to have a stereo image effect (spatial impression), corresponding VR glasses (such as  Google Cardboard) should be used. It is also possible to view the scenes in mono mode (i.e., without spatial impression).