Google Street View Backpack Now Available To Volunteers

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Google Street View Backpack Now Available To Volunteers

Posted by timothy on Sunday June 30, 2013 @05:33AM from the salt-mines-of-poland dept.

It's not just for obscure Japanese islands anymore: reader NobleSavage writes with news that "If you're a tourism board, non-profit, university, research organization or other third party who can gain access and help collect imagery of hard to reach places, you can apply to borrow the Trekker and help map the world." You can also help map the world (albeit without the very neat Trekker backpack cam) without an application process via OpenStreetMap. But if you had access to a panoramic camera like this, what places or spaces would you want to capture? I hope there will be street view imagery of Petra, but I don't see any yet.

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Uhmm.. Chernobyl? by Hemi+Rodner · 2013-06-30 05:38 · Score: 5, Interesting

I want to see Chernobyl please.

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hemi
1. Re:Uhmm.. Chernobyl? by Mike+Frett · 2013-06-30 07:11 · Score: 2
  
  I'm not doing anything with my life right now, I'd volunteer. But you're paying for all my expenses -- and Cancer treatments.
2. Re:Uhmm.. Chernobyl? by kthreadd · 2013-06-30 07:20 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  It's actually not that bad as long as you stay out of the reactor. They didn't actually cease operation on the power plant until the year 2000.
3. Re:Uhmm.. Chernobyl? by dj245 · 2013-07-01 02:05 · Score: 1
  
  I want to see Chernobyl please.
  There are plenty of panoramio photos in the area. It is not the same experience as 360 degree photography, but there are enough photos that it wouldn't be my first choice.
  
  --
  Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress at this period in history.
4. Re:Uhmm.. Chernobyl? by Hemi+Rodner · 2013-07-01 19:24 · Score: 1
  
  I saw that, but it's not as fun as "walking" in the streets of Prypyat.
  
  --
  hemi
Chinguetti by vikingpower · 2013-06-30 05:42 · Score: 3, Interesting

A place I went, a "lost city" in the Sahara

--
Religous speak to God. Insane are spoken to by God. When all shut up, one can finally hear Shostakovich in peace
Pitcairn Islands by dwheeler · 2013-06-30 05:50 · Score: 4, Interesting

I want to see the Pitcairn Islands. It's notorious hard to get to, and it ensures that the sun never sets on the British empire.

--
- David A. Wheeler (see my Secure Programming HOWTO)
1. Re:Pitcairn Islands by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-30 06:36 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Pitcairn islands, where the men are men, and their daughters are their wives. No, really. Isolation seems to have fucked them up.
2. Re:Pitcairn Islands by proverbialcow · 2013-06-30 07:21 · Score: 2
  
  Link
  
  --
  The only surefire protection against Microsoft infections is abstinence. - The Onion
3. Re:Pitcairn Islands by heneon · 2013-06-30 19:58 · Score: 1
  
  Or:
  Pitcairn islands: where the men are men, and the sheep are nervous.
What a coincidence... by t4ng* · 2013-06-30 06:08 · Score: 3, Interesting

I just saw the Google van going down my private road this morning at least a half mile beyond a big sign that says PRIVATE PROPERTY, NO TRESPASSING. This county allows for people to meet trespassers with deadly force. I hope that point that out to anyone using Trekker.
1. Re:What a coincidence... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-30 06:27 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  You shoot someone just because they are on your property and you'll end up in jail faster than you think. Most states have defense laws against aggressive behavior but if you shoot someone who accidentally wanders into your property and your looking at charges. You have a right to defend yourself and your property not just kill someone because they touched your land.
2. Re:What a coincidence... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-30 06:28 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  How about you go fuck yourself you wanna be racist murderer.
  The OP's comment was not racist nor did he threaten to harm anyone.
  The OP merely pointed out that the Google van was trespassing.
  You, on the other hand, are an irrational idiot with severe
  mental health issues.
3. Re:What a coincidence... by ShanghaiBill · 2013-06-30 08:37 · Score: 1
  
  This county allows for people to meet trespassers with deadly force.
  What county is that? I know of no jurisdiction anywhere that allows deadly force against non-forcible trespassing. Some jurisdictions allow you to shoot someone that breaks into an occupied residence, but not for just driving past a sign.
4. Re:What a coincidence... by EvilSS · 2013-06-30 10:32 · Score: 2
  
  I'm confused, is Google it's own race now?
  
  --
  I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.
5. Re:What a coincidence... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-30 10:36 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  You guys must have been sleeping through the "stand your ground" laws that NRA and gun manufacturing lobbyists have been getting passed in many states.
  Pretty much every state listed here that has "No" in the "Duty to retreat" column allows you to use deadly force against a trespasser that is on your property but still outside your home.
  Before you reply that your life has to be in danger, just remember that dead-men-tell-no-tales. If someone is driving a vehicle on your property, that vehicle could be a deadly weapon against you. In a rural area, where there are rarely any witnesses around, all someone would have to do in states with no duty to retreat is go stand in front of the vehicle and shoot the driver, then tell the police you told them to leave and they tried to run you down. In the absence of any other evidence or witnesses against your story, the police would most likely accept it, especially if the dead person is not a local in your area. It's the wild, wild west in some areas and that's just the way the NRA and gun manufactures wants it to be. City folk ought to take those "No Trespassing" signs out in the country side more seriously.
6. Re:What a coincidence... by ShanghaiBill · 2013-06-30 12:29 · Score: 1
  
  Here is a list for you.
  Your list contains this many entries that allow shooting of trespassers: 0.
7. Re:What a coincidence... by ShanghaiBill · 2013-07-01 05:23 · Score: 1
  
  Check on Georgia, sixth down: You can use deadly force ... to terminate or prevent trespass.
  The passage you quote applies INSIDE YOUR HOME after a forcible entry. It says so right in the entry. So shooting people for mere trespassing is murder in Georgia, and anywhere else.
8. Re:What a coincidence... by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2013-07-01 22:42 · Score: 1
  
  Have you actually read his comment?
  
  I just saw the Google van going down my private road this morning at least a half mile beyond a big sign that says PRIVATE PROPERTY, NO TRESPASSING. This county allows for people to meet trespassers with deadly force. I hope that point that out to anyone using Trekker.
  How is "keep in mind that I can shoot you" supposed *not* to be a veiled threat is beyond me. You obviously suck at language pragmatics.
  
  --
  Ezekiel 23:20
Jan Mayen? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-30 06:09 · Score: 1

Jan Mayen would be fun to explore in Google Maps.
Simple panoramic camera? by K.+S.+Kyosuke · 2013-06-30 06:36 · Score: 3, Interesting

The Trekker is operated by an Android device and consists of 15 lenses angled in a different direction so the images can be stitched together into 360-degree panoramic views.
That's quite neat, but if you want something simpler, wouldn't it be possible to use a single, vertically oriented digital camera with a hyperboloid mirror in front of it, and process the stuff in a computer? The optical system would be axially symmetrical, so the angle in the picture would correspond to the azimuth, and the distance from the center would be a useful function of the elevation (I believe that with the hyperboloid, it should be linear.) You wouldn't get any sort of insanely high resolution in the azimuth but it should still be usable (and much more lightweight, simpler and cheaper).

--
Ezekiel 23:20
1. Re:Simple panoramic camera? by hankwang · 2013-06-30 10:20 · Score: 2
  
  "to use a single, vertically oriented digital camera with a hyperboloid mirror in front of it,"
  Assuming that you mean a camera with a lens looking into the hyperboloid reflector: that would not work because such a mirror would not produce a real or virtual image plane onto which the camera could focus. Parabolic or hyperbolic reflectors can only image a point to another (virtual) point, not a plane to a plane.
  In other words, you get a blurry image; in order to unblur, you would need to know the angular distribution of light intensity on each pixel; if you had such a sensor, you could just as well leave out the lens.
  The blurring might be manageable if the lens is small (like a phone camera) and the reflector is very large (like a meter), but then you'd run into problems with sensor noise and resolution for a 360 degree image and there woild be no gain in portability.
  
  --
  Avantslash: low-bandwidth mobile slashdot.
2. Re:Simple panoramic camera? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-30 12:18 · Score: 1
  
  We've done exactly this with a (200mm diameter and 200mm curve depth) mirror and a USB camera. It works just fine. However, the mirror is large and awkward and, depending on whether the camera is pointing up or down, either the top or the bottom of the panorama is relatively low resolution. You also need pretty high precision in the mirror and it's position if you want to do accurate pixel mapping.
  USB cameras are so small and cheap these days that for most panorama applications I think multiple cameras are probably a better option. A spinning camera might be a possibility also though we never tested that.
3. Re:Simple panoramic camera? by wonkey_monkey · 2013-06-30 19:32 · Score: 1
  
  From that same comment:
  However, the mirror is large and awkward and, depending on whether the camera is pointing up or down, either the top or the bottom of the panorama is relatively low resolution. You also need pretty high precision in the mirror and it's position if you want to do accurate pixel mapping.
  USB cameras are so small and cheap these days that for most panorama applications I think multiple cameras are probably a better option.
  
  --
  systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
4. Re:Simple panoramic camera? by wonkey_monkey · 2013-06-30 19:34 · Score: 1
  
  A tiny lens would work great, as you can capture continuously and average images for lower noise.
  While moving?
  
  --
  systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
One of the remotest places on Earth by vikingpower · 2013-06-30 06:38 · Score: 2

Waw en-Namus, south-western Libya

--
Religous speak to God. Insane are spoken to by God. When all shut up, one can finally hear Shostakovich in peace
1. Re:One of the remotest places on Earth by Arkh89 · 2013-06-30 09:41 · Score: 1
  
  4852.6S 12323.6W
  We need a waterproof version for R'lyeh!
Olympic National Forest by darkain · 2013-06-30 06:44 · Score: 2

A little something right here at home, I would love to take this thing hiking through the trails of the Olympic National Forest. Or really, any of the awesome mountains in the Washington area, like Mt Rainier!
Time and work for free by loufoque · 2013-06-30 06:48 · Score: 5, Insightful

So essentially Google want people to give some of their time for free in addition of taking ownership of the work they'd be doing?
I doubt volunteers want to give the IP of their work to Google so that they can monetize it.
1. Re:Time and work for free by AK+Marc · 2013-06-30 07:12 · Score: 1
  
  People do it all the time. Like Linux. Making drivers for "free" that manufacturers can then bundle with their hardware, and things like that.
  
  Why do you hate Linux?
  
  --
  Learn to love Alaska
2. Re:Time and work for free by richlv · 2013-06-30 07:23 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  this is quite different. the result is free for anybody to use, bundle, improve upon. data somebody would be contributing to gmaps stays there - you can not obtain whole google maps data in vector format and do whatever you please with it.
  this is what openstreetmap offers :)
  
  --
  Rich
3. Re:Time and work for free by jklovanc · 2013-06-30 08:57 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  I doubt volunteers want to give the IP of their work to Google so that they can monetize it.
  You just spent your time to write a comment on Slashdot. That comment could be considered IP. Slashdot then monetizes it through advertising revenue. Did you get paid by Slashdot? You just gave your IP to Slashdot so they can monetize it.
  The reason people will do it is that it is a way of recording the things they saw in much greater detail than ever before so they can show it to their friends. The fact that millions of other people can also see it is just a bonus.
4. Re:Time and work for free by AK+Marc · 2013-06-30 10:09 · Score: 1
  
  I doubt volunteers want to give the IP of their work to Google so that they can monetize it.
  That's the statement that I found to be quite errant. It's provably false today. People are doing free work on things that are "monetized" by for-profit corps. Drivers is one where yes, it's available to all, but of low use to anyone who didn't pay a for-profit corp for the hardware.
  
  People today are obviously quite happy to do work that benefits a closed company making profits. So I'm curious what he has seen that directly contradicts reality. Lots of people would be willing to volunteer for fun things like that. Sure, they don't own the output, but they can likely point to it and tell others "I did that". That's payment enough for some people.
  
  --
  Learn to love Alaska
5. Re:Time and work for free by Aighearach · 2013-06-30 10:54 · Score: 1
  
  So essentially Google want people to give some of their time for free in addition of taking ownership of the work they'd be doing?
  I doubt volunteers want to give the IP of their work to Google so that they can monetize it.
  Sure I do! It would be a great public benefit to get popular but remote trails on Street View. There is very little chance to monetize this. Nobody is likely to buy or click on advertising because this is added. It is public service that is also great PR, which is a great combination for google. And since this is being done through 3rd party groups, the volunteers will also be getting great PR for doing public service... from the people in the groups they're already a part of!
  If you can imagine, you're doing a hike on the Pacific Crest Trail and you have to connect to a side trail in order to rendezvous or pick up supplies. With this, you could take a look at the exact spots where you need to make turns or re-find the trail after side trips. Familiarize yourself with what the landmarks actually look like from the trail. This could save lives.
6. Re:Time and work for free by loufoque · 2013-06-30 12:26 · Score: 1
  
  This is significantly different. Slashdot does not have exclusive rights to redistribute what I write here.
7. Re:Time and work for free by loufoque · 2013-06-30 12:27 · Score: 1
  
  It would be a much greater public benefit to make this public domain.
  Google owns the data and all its redistribution rights. It can choose to restrict access whenever it wants.
8. Re:Time and work for free by swillden · 2013-06-30 13:47 · Score: 2
  
  This is significantly different. Slashdot does not have exclusive rights to redistribute what I write here.
  Exclusive, no, rights, yes. After all, they just redistributed it to me.
  
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9. Re:Time and work for free by swillden · 2013-06-30 13:48 · Score: 1
  
  Google owns the data and all its redistribution rights. It can choose to restrict access whenever it wants.
  But why would it?
  
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  Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
10. Re:Time and work for free by jklovanc · 2013-06-30 16:27 · Score: 1
  
  The point is, that by commenting on Slashdot you are making money for Slashdot for no monetary compensation. You are donating your time to Slashdot who is a for profit business. That is not so different than donating one's time to Google.
11. Re:Time and work for free by richlv · 2013-06-30 20:51 · Score: 1
  
  oh, i wasn't saying people would never contribute anything if a company could monetise it - anything could be monetised.
  i just mentioned that data, contributed to osm, is free to use for all - and that's a huge difference compared to gmaps
  
  --
  Rich
12. Re:Time and work for free by loufoque · 2013-06-30 22:56 · Score: 1
  
  You're right, Google isn't known for shutting down services randomly.
13. Re:Time and work for free by loufoque · 2013-06-30 22:57 · Score: 1
  
  I already pointed out the difference, and it is a major one.
  There is no problem making money with freely available information. The problem is closing it down.
14. Re:Time and work for free by swillden · 2013-07-01 00:39 · Score: 1
  
  You're right, Google isn't known for shutting down services randomly.
  Only services that don't have much usage. I submit that maps and streetview are not in that category.
  
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  Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
15. Re:Time and work for free by jklovanc · 2013-07-01 13:04 · Score: 1
  
  It is not a big difference considering the small number of people who would download and use the raw data without going through StreetView.
Scuba by wheeda · 2013-06-30 06:50 · Score: 2

I want one for Scuba.
1. Re:Scuba by wonkey_monkey · 2013-06-30 19:33 · Score: 1
  
  Like this?
  
  --
  systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
2. Re:Scuba by wheeda · 2013-07-01 15:23 · Score: 1
  
  Yup, but I want to borrow one. Additionally, that video looks nice, but isn't easy to navigate. There are some UI issues with 3D navigation.
This by Intrepid+imaginaut · 2013-06-30 07:03 · Score: 2

One question: how much are they going to pay me?
Heavy? by WoLpH · 2013-06-30 07:13 · Score: 1

That thing looks like it's at least 20 kilo's, not a very comfortable hike I imagine. Cool that you can but I would imagine it needs a little bit of slimming down before you can conveniently take it with you.
The unseen by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-30 07:18 · Score: 2, Interesting

Hook some flood lights up to that sucker and take it caving.
1. Re:The unseen by DadLeopard · 2013-06-30 12:32 · Score: 1
  
  One problem with that! You can't get a good GPS signal in caves. They would have to add an inertial navigation system onto it for that application, though it probably would work better than bread crumbs when done! The other problem would be squeezing and crawling through passages with it!
Google is not a charity by s7uar7 · 2013-06-30 07:20 · Score: 5, Insightful

I started using Map Maker when it was released here in the UK a couple of months ago. I stopped when I questioned why I was giving my time, knowledge and expertise to a private company for free.
1. Re: Google is not a charity by ColdWetDog · 2013-06-30 15:25 · Score: 1
  
  Did you get your question answered?
  
  --
  Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
2. Re: Google is not a charity by Hognoxious · 2013-07-01 00:58 · Score: 1
  
  I'll answer it, but it'll cost him a tenner.
  
  --
  Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
here come the gargoyles by jdogalt · 2013-06-30 07:21 · Score: 1

from http://www.elemental.org/~daleg/gargoyle/
"
What is the Gargoyle?
The Gargoyle wearable computer is a project I am undertaking to study and
improve apon current technologies and adapt them for use in a wearable computer
application and a environment of every-day, practicle use. I am naming the
prototype I am building "Gargoyle". This name comes from Neil Stephenson's
popular cyberpunk novel "Snow Crash". In this a book, a Gargoyle refers to
a person who wears a wearable computer of sorts, and is constantly collecting
information or intel about his/her surroundings, and is near-constantly
jacked into the Metaverse (a futuristic MUSH-like version of the Internet).
"
Great, but if you're giving it for free, be open! by Bearhouse · 2013-06-30 07:32 · Score: 1

It's good to see the link to OpenStreetMap. It's not very good where I live, so I'm actually contributing instead of just bitching about it on /.
(Yeah, just this once)
Now that Waze has been absorbed by the Gorg, I'd love to see a Kickstarter for a no-brainier device and app (android & iOS please) to enable both navigation, OSM updates, (but make it easy, please), and the social features that Waze got pretty well right.
C'mon somebody, I'll put a 1000 bucks down for the first two devices...for 500 each you could throw in a decent camera and some memory for Streetview-like
I'm sure you could get people like Samsung to contribute to the costs for the servers...imagine, genuinely free maps and Streetview
Or... by proverbialcow · 2013-06-30 07:34 · Score: 3, Interesting

How about sending along a couple of backpacks (and monetary donations) with vetted charitable aid groups (Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, etc)?

--
The only surefire protection against Microsoft infections is abstinence. - The Onion
1. Re:Or... by guruevi · 2013-06-30 10:24 · Score: 1
  
  As if they didn't have enough problems being regarded as spies for the US government. And it's not like the locals don't have any cause for worry because the US government already does it (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/11/cia-fake-vaccinations-osama-bin-ladens-dna)
  
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2. Re:Or... by proverbialcow · 2013-07-02 06:18 · Score: 1
  
  I didn't even think about that. I'd mod you up if I could.
  
  --
  The only surefire protection against Microsoft infections is abstinence. - The Onion
Where? East Bay Volcano! by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-30 09:02 · Score: 1

Sibley Volcanic Preserve in Oakland, CA on the Hayward fault.
Fault moved half-a-mile in the last 9.5 billion years, giving Round Top Volcano a tail.
North of the Caldecott Tunnel in Tilden Park is the Nimitz Trail (paved) along the ridgeline from Berkeley to Richmond (exits at Clark Rd in El Sobrante & Hillcrest Rd in Richmond), part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail.
Turn one way and see he Golden Gate & Richmond Bridges, the other overlooks San Pablo Reservoir and the earthen San Pablo Dam.
The trail along the valley floor is spectacular as well. McBryde Ave. to Alvarado Park in Richmond becomes the trail through Wildcat Canyon before Tilden in Berkeley.
Kickstarter by heitikender · 2013-06-30 09:11 · Score: 2

and let people vote with their wallets, where to send guys. Area 51, Mount Everest, neighbours backyard where screams are heard, etc.
Resume Builder! by Anonymous Coward · 2013-06-30 12:13 · Score: 1

Can I at least add Google to my resume?!
Wait, you need a backpack? by mysidia · 2013-06-30 13:39 · Score: 1

Being Google.... I would have expected them to have included this in Google Glass: GPS and always-on panoramic camera, and have it enabled by default, to upload street view imagery from every user everywhere....
Just a thought. by JorgeFernandez · 2013-06-30 21:07 · Score: 1

One place I'd really like to document is the suicide forest in Japan. I remember seeing the documentary about it and was fascinated with the place. It is kinda freaky when I think about trekking there; as soon as the sun starts sinking, I'm getting the hell out of there.
Hiking trails by SpaghettiPattern · 2013-06-30 22:56 · Score: 1

I'd actually be chuffed to digitise hiking trails. There are many beautiful trails in the area where I live. I know them well and digitising them would give me a new kind od purpose. And yes, I'd need the exercise.

--

I hadn't the slightest objection to his spending his time planning massacres for the bourgeoisie... (P.G. Wodehouse)
Lettuce Lake Park by DaveV1.0 · 2013-07-01 00:04 · Score: 1

Especially the board walk. Not because it is hard to get to but because people should see it.

--
There is no "-1 offended" or "-1 you don't agree with me" mod options for a reason.
Re:Bedrooms! Help the NSA by lxs · 2013-07-01 00:27 · Score: 1

Funny how quickly the public mood can change. A month ago people would call you a terrorist for photographing and mapping semipublic spaces, today they call you an NSA agent.
Re: Great, but if you're giving it for free, be op by Bearhouse · 2013-07-01 00:45 · Score: 1

Thanks; I'll take a look!
I'd really like to add photos to OSM by timothy · 2013-07-01 10:05 · Score: 1

A friend involved with the project pointed out that this is more complicated than it sounds, and I'm sure he's right, but it would be fun one day to be able to take a photo, tag it with coordinates, and at least have it stuffed in an online pigeonhole for later linking to a spot on OSM-based maps. Click on a map, have it show the nearest-tagged photo ... in some places, the nearest tagged photo might be many miles away, making it a sort of challenge to split the gap by taking another photo between the distant points.

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