Google commences Street View v.2
Google’s fleet of camera cars have begun racking up mileage again after they were dispatched to film Britain’s streets, again, this time updating old footage and broadening their coverage to include remote areas such as the Isle of Lewis which had thus far escaped their attention.
The 2013 update brings an additional 15% of the UK’s roads into the fold, adding to the 65% previously snapped in 2009.
In addition the service has been taken off road with a number of intrepid Google employees donning backpacks stuffed with recording equipment to document what goes on behind closed doors and in tough to reach footpaths.
Asked why Google was investing so much resource into the project Street View’s Luc Vincent told the BBC that usage was much broader than people simply searching for their own home: “People use it to preview the restaurant they want to go to, or choose a vacation spot or search for real estate.”
The day we all contribute to Street View via our Google Glasses surely cannot be far off.