The world is your oyster.
(Credit: Streetview Technology)
As Google takes Street View off-road with its new Trekker backpacks, German company Streetview Technology is taking the mapping technology in yet another new direction — DIY terrain.
That’s right, with “DIY streetview,” people can create their own versions of Google’s popular, unpopular, and sometimes artsy high-tech atlas.
The kit includes:
- A camera that shoots look-all-around-you, domelike photos every three seconds and geotags them
- A small server for processing your images (it automatically lines up and stitches together your shots, and adds the geo info)
- Player software that enables you to post your work on your Web site and let people interact with it
Options include a car mount, or a backpack, for the camera.
The camera lets you photograph everything in sight, minus the camera itself and the car or backpack. And the software includes the same types of navigation tools and mapping info Google provides.
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Streetview Technology General Manager Jan Martin Mantkowski said in an e-mail to Crave that anyone can learn how to operate the camera in a couple of hours. The image processing is a bit more complex, but there’s a step-by-step manual, and a test project for practice.
As far as pricing goes, this isn’t the sort of thing you’d casually buy at RadioShack. Mantkowski asks that you contact him directly for details, or use the online inquiry form.
Judging from the way various creative types have tapped Street View, we figure it won’t be too long before someone bolts one of these babies to a Roomba and starts knocking out some crazy views indeed.
The optional backpack (left) and the optional car mount.
An example of an image captured with DIY streetview, complete with curious, rubber-necking cyclist.
(Credit: Streetview Technology)
Related Links:
Google Street View takes you to ‘World Wonders’
Street View gets groovified with stereographic animations
New Google Maps kicks iPhone vs Android battle up a notch
Google unveils full 3D Google Earth feature
Google takes Street View off-road with backpack rig
via CNET Latest News http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57449205-1/diy-streetview-camera-lets-you-be-google/?part=rss&subj=latest-news2&tag=title
