A 114-kg ‘supertrike’, complete with mounted 360-degree camera, has been brought into operation to help map the next stage of Google’s extensive and controversial ‘Street View’ service.
The internet company is heading off the beaten track with the robust trike to capture UK landmarks and historic sights that might not be easily viewed from a car.
Google said that the rickshaw-style tricycles recently arrived in Britain, and will spend the next few weeks capturing a number of famous locations, including Stonehenge, the Angel of the North and Loch Ness. The spots were chosen after thousands of people voted for them in a public poll.
Hundreds of thousands logged on to Street View when it went live earlier this year. But campaigners began a legal action against it, claiming that the images were an invasion of privacy. Although the action was unsuccessful, Google did take down hundreds of pictures, including a man vomiting on a pavement, one leaving a sex shop and another being arrested.
“Off-road, Google must show even greater respect for privacy that on the street,” said Tom Brake MP, the Liberal Democrats' home affairs spokesman. “If they don’t, they may capture more than they bargained for as they pedal silently along our remotest lanes and cycleways.”
Google has denied the trike-mounted cameras will snoop into homes, saying that the focus was on public landmarks.
“The trike is only going to be used for interesting tourist spots, not heading down boring, narrow streets,” said a Google spokesperson. “Later on, it could be used on pedestrianised high streets, but only with approval.”
The UK launch of Street View was delayed for months because of Britain’s rainy climate, as Google’s cameras only work in fine weather. Only if the forecast remains clear will the Google trike be able to capture the tourist destinations before the summer is out.
There is no mention in article about situations like starting from zero speed and climbing out of saddle with low cadence. With shorter cranks in...
That's simply wrong I'm afraid, if you take a base number as a reference point then an increase above it can be expressed in terms of more than 100...
1981 Raleigh brochure on EBay - a missing link in the catalogues available on line. Bidding starts at £35. ...
It's a Brexit level of over-simplification the idea that car parking charges and retail prosperity are connected.
Useful video. Gives a chance to see other's points of view. Albeit not a lot of anticipation or consideration being shown (from the cammers). Very...
It's probably in Romania by now, or Poland, but a picture would certainly help, size too?
Sounds like spam... which bike was used for the kit, please at least post pictures with the end result.
He needs a good lawyer......
I live in Gloucestershire where being inconvenienced is dealt with more harshly than being close passed, no matter how close or how fast...
I have read people commenting before about not having a camera on your helmet as it will give you injuries....