Jump to content

Google Street View: Difference between revisions

Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
better target
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Photos at street level}}
#REDIRECT [[Google_Street_View#Google_Street_View]]
{{redirect|Street View|services other than Google's|List of street view services}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox software
| logo = Google Street View icon.svg
| logo size = 128px
| screenshot = Deansgate St John St.png
| screenshot size = 274px <!-- this is image native size and will display most clearly -->
| caption = A road junction in [[Manchester]], England, showing nine different angles
| released = {{Start date and age|2007|05|25}}
| ver layout = stacked
| platform = [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]], web
| language = Multiple languages
| website = {{URL|https://www.google.com/streetview/|google.com/streetview}}
}}

'''Google Street View''' is a technology featured in [[Google Maps]] and [[Google Earth]] that provides [[interactive panorama]]s from positions along many streets in the world. It was launched in 2007 in several cities in the United States, and has since expanded to include all of the country's major and minor cities, as well as the cities and rural areas of many other countries worldwide. Streets with Street View imagery available are shown as clickable blue lines on Google Maps.

Google Street View displays interactive panoramas of [[image stitching|stitched]] [[VR photographs]]. Most photography is done by car, but some is done by tricycle, camel, boat, [[snowmobile]], [[Underwater diving|underwater apparatus]], and on foot.

==History==
[[File:Google Street View 2018 02.jpg|thumb|right|Google Street View car in Germany]]

Street View had its inception in 2001 with the Stanford CityBlock Project, a Google-sponsored [[Stanford University]] research project. The project ended in June 2006, and its technology was folded into Street View.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Stanford CityBlock Project: multi-perspective panoramas of city blocks|url=http://graphics.stanford.edu/projects/cityblock/|access-date=August 30, 2014}}</ref> The technology was launched on May 25, 2007, in the United States.

In May 2008, Google announced that it was testing face-blurring technology on its photos of the streets of [[Manhattan]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Frome|first=Andrea|author-link=Andrea Frome|url=http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2008/05/street-view-revisits-manhattan.html|title=Google's LatLong Blog|publisher=Google-latlong.blogspot.com|access-date=August 27, 2010}}</ref> The technology uses a computer algorithm to search Google's image database for faces and blur them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9943140-7.html|title=CNet article "Google begins blurring faces in Street View"|publisher=News.cnet.com|access-date=August 27, 2010|archive-date=December 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204172237/http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9943140-7.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Street View was integrated into [[Google Earth]] 4.3, the Maps application on the Apple [[iPhone]], and the Maps application for the [[S60 (software platform)|S60 3rd Edition]]. In November, the [[drag and drop|drag-and-drop]] Pegman icon was introduced as the primary [[user interface]] element for connecting from Maps' 2D view into Street View's 3D view. When Pegman is dropped onto a particular set of coordinates in Google Maps for which Street View data is available, Street View opens and takes over the whole map window.

In 2009, a full-screen option and Smart Navigation were introduced. Smart Navigation allows users to navigate around the panoramas by double-clicking with their cursor on any place or object they want to see.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/166178/google.html|title=PC World article "Google Street View Gets Smart Navigation"|publisher=Pcworld.com|access-date=August 27, 2010|date=June 5, 2009}}</ref> In May 2011, indoor views of businesses (Google Business Photos) were announced.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2011/05/google-offers-businesses-free-pro-photos-for-use-with-google-maps/|title=Google to beef up Places, Street View with interior business photos|last=Cheng|first=Jacqui|date=2011-05-06}}</ref> After the pilot phase of several months, the project was rolled out in autumn.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2011/10/26/google-maps-interior-view/|title=Google Maps rolls out business interiors in Street View|last=Kelly|first=Meghan|date=2011-10-26|work=VentureBeat|access-date=2018-08-21|language=en-US}}</ref>

With the release of [[Android version history#Android 4.2 Jelly Bean (API level 17)|Android 4.2]] in November 2012, Google invited users to contribute panoramas of their own using supported devices. Google highlights user-contributed panoramas with blue circle icons on Maps. The company also created a website to highlight places in the world where one can find them.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/intl/ALL_en/help/maps/streetview/contribute/#all|title=Contribuiți – Street View – Hărţi Google|publisher=Google Maps|access-date=January 19, 2013}}</ref> In 2013, businesses such as shops, cafés and other premises can [[Street View Trusted|pay a photographer]] to take panoramic images of the interior of their premises, which were then included in Street View.<ref>{{cite news|last=Smith |first=Mark |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/the-northerner/2013/may/03/google-street-view-sheffield-university |title=Google Street View gets peek inside Sheffield university buildings &#124; Technology &#124; guardian.co.uk |newspaper=Guardian |date=2013-05-03 |access-date=2013-06-15 |location=London}}</ref> Google sets up a program to let third parties borrow the Street View Trekker (a backpack-mounted camera).<ref>{{cite web|title=Treks|url=https://www.google.com/maps/about/behind-the-scenes/streetview/treks/|access-date=2 September 2014}}</ref> Business interior views are shown as small orange circles. In 2014, Street-level imagery from the past can now be optionally seen, if available, for a given street view.<ref>{{cite news|title=Google introduces 'time machine' feature in Street View|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/apr/23/google-introduces-time-machine-feature-in-street-view|access-date=31 August 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|date=23 April 2014}}</ref>

In 2015, a partnership was announced between Street View and the environmental monitoring company Aclima. Cars carry sensors to detect [[pollutant]]s such as [[nitrogen dioxide]], [[ozone]], and [[particulates]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Google Will Start Mapping Pollution The Same Way They Map Streets|url = http://www.popsci.com/google-will-start-mapping-pollution-same-way-they-map-streets|access-date = 30 July 2015|date = 30 July 2015|website = Popular Science|first = Dave|last = Gershgorn}}</ref> In October, support for [[Google Cardboard]] was announced, allowing users to utilize Street View in 360-degree virtual reality.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Google Street View adds virtual reality support|url = https://thenextweb.com/google/2015/10/12/google-street-view-adds-virtual-reality-support/ |date = 12 Oct 2015|website = NextWeb|first = Napier |last = Lopez}}</ref>

In 2017, imagery inside the [[International Space Station]] was added to Street View. In August 2017, Google also allowed users to create their own Street View-like blue paths for the connected photospheres that are sufficiently close to one another.

On September 5, 2017, Google announced that they were improving the quality of the street view panoramic photo by revamping its mapping vehicles with all-new high-resolution camera systems and [[artificial intelligence]]. The new Google cars have been seen in various American cities since March 2017, as well as in Japan since August.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/story/googles-new-street-view-cameras-will-help-algorithms-index-the-real-world/|title=Google's New Street View Cameras Will Help Algorithms Index The Real World|magazine=Wired}}</ref> The first images taken with the new generation of cameras were available online on September 13.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@36.9691347,-122.0251993,3a,50.9y,174.15h,82.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sINOHTaDUGIjxbVk5XXMZyw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192|title=Google Maps|website=Google Maps}}</ref> In October 2017, the makers of the [[Insta360|Insta360 Pro]] announced the certification of the first "Street View auto ready" camera for [[United States dollar|US$]]3,500; it uses six lenses for a 360° view and comes with Stitcher software.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/356578/collect-google-street-view-pics-with-3-500-insta360-pro|title=Collect Google Street View Pics With $3,500 Insta360 Pro|last=Moscaritolo|first=Angela|date=2017-10-03|work=PCMAG|access-date=2018-08-21|language=en}}</ref> In addition to purchase, the camera rig is also available to qualified entities as part of the Google loaner program, with 50 cameras available to loan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/10/2/16403320/google-street-view-diy-insta360-camera|title=You can now capture Google Street View scenery with your car for $3,500|date=October 2, 2017}}</ref>

In 2018, Japan now offers the street view from a dog's perspective.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/google-street-view-japan-from-dogs-point-of-view|title=Google Japan Now Has Street View From a Dog's Perspective |last=Romano |first=Andrea |date=March 7, 2018 |url-status=deviated|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307203430/http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/google-street-view-japan-from-dogs-point-of-view|archive-date=March 7, 2018|website=[[Travel + Leisure]]}}</ref> In August 2018, Street View covered two [[Oil platform|offshore gas-extraction platforms]] in the [[North Sea]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/google-street-view-tours-offshore-platform|title=Google Street View Tours Offshore Platform|work=The Maritime Executive|access-date=2018-08-21|language=en}}</ref>

On December 3, 2020, Google announced that users could contribute to Street View by capturing video using their augmented reality-supported phones using the Street View app.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Perez |first1=Sarah |title=Google now lets anyone contribute to Street View using AR and an app |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/12/03/google-now-lets-anyone-contribute-to-street-view-using-ar-and-an-app/ |access-date=20 April 2021 |work=TechCrunch |date=3 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Warren |first1=Tom |title=Google Maps now lets you create Street View photos with just a phone |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/3/22149884/google-maps-street-view-photos-phone-android-update |access-date=20 April 2021 |work=The Verge |date=3 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Google shut down its dedicated Street View app on Android and iPhone and ended support on March 21, 2023. The Street View app allowed users to take and publish their own 360° photos. Google says that users can still upload 360° photos using StreetView Studio''.''<ref>{{cite news |title=Google is shutting down its dedicated Street View app next year |url=https://9to5google.com/2022/11/01/google-street-view-app-shutting-down/ |access-date=22 July 2023 |publisher=[[9to5Google]]}}</ref>

==Implementation==
{{See also|List of Google Easter eggs#Pegman}}
Street View is available as a component of Google Maps and [[Google Earth]], as a [[web application]], and as a [[mobile app]]lication for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]]. Originally, Google Maps used [[Adobe Flash]] for Street View.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/mar/20/google-street-view1
|title=Where the Streets All Have Google's Name
|work=The Guardian.com |edition=US
|date=20 March 2009
|first=Charles |last=Arthur}}</ref> Google overhauled Google Maps in 2013. The newer version uses [[JavaScript]] extensively and provides a JavaScript [[application programming interface]].<ref>{{cite web
|title=Street View Service
|url=https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/streetview
|website=[[Google Developers]]
|date=25 August 2016 |access-date=12 December 2016}}</ref> At the time of their release, the new Google Maps and Street View were measured slower than the old version in various setups.<ref>[https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/maps/sAdIuT5Yr8c The new Street View on Google Maps is very slow] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203081016/https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/maps/sAdIuT5Yr8c |date=December 3, 2018 }} (Google Maps Help Forum, 26 February 2014)</ref><ref>[http://geoawesomeness.com/tired-new-slow-google-maps-can-switch-old-version/ Tired of new, slow Google Maps? This is how you can switch to the old version!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119054046/http://geoawesomeness.com/tired-new-slow-google-maps-can-switch-old-version/ |date=November 19, 2015 }} (Geoawesomeness, June 12, 2014)</ref> A user can switch to the old version of Google Maps.<ref>{{cite web|title=Switch back to the classic version of Maps|url=https://support.google.com/maps/answer/3045828?hl=en|access-date=5 September 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://netvantagemarketing.com/blog/switching-to-the-old-google-maps Switching Back to the Old Google Maps] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117110753/http://netvantagemarketing.com/blog/switching-to-the-old-google-maps/ |date=November 17, 2015 }} (Netvantage Marketing, 2 January 2014)</ref>{{Needs update|date=March 2024|reason=Is this still true}}

The drag-and-drop Pegman icon is the primary user interface element used by Google to connect Maps to Street View. Its name comes from its resemblance to a [[Clothespin|clothespeg]]. When not in use, Pegman sits atop or beside the Google Maps zoom controls. Occasionally, Pegman "dresses up" for special events or is joined by peg friends in Google Maps. When dragged into Street View near [[Area 51]], he becomes a [[flying saucer]], and when dragged near the [[Florida Keys]] or [[Hawaii]], he becomes a mermaid. When viewing older views, the Pegman in the minimap changes to Doc Brown from ''[[Back to the Future]]''.<ref>Tan, Alicia Marie (October 22, 2015) [http://mashable.com/2015/10/21/google-maps-time-travel/#YjGfU0wDvuqw ''Hop into the Google Maps time machine with Doc Brown''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226052116/http://mashable.com/2015/10/21/google-maps-time-travel/#YjGfU0wDvuqw |date=December 26, 2017 }} Mashable, Retrieved June 2016</ref> At [[Loch Ness]], Pegman turns into [[Loch Ness Monster|Nessie]] wearing a [[Tartanry|tartan hat]], where Street View includes coverage of the lake itself as well as the nearby [[A82 road]] and rural areas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Best |first=Shivali |date=2020-06-07 |title=Google Maps has a sneaky hidden feature over Loch Ness - here's how to find it |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/google-maps-sneaky-hidden-feature-22138511 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=The Mirror |language=en}}</ref>

==Coverage==
{{main|Google Street View coverage}}
{{update section|date=March 2024}}
[[File:Google Street View coverage.svg|thumb|right|350px|{{legend|#305BA3|Countries and dependencies with mostly full coverage}} {{legend|#7E98CE|Countries and dependencies with partial coverage}} {{legend|#FF7F27|Countries and dependencies with official coverage planned}} {{legend|#E9B96E|Countries and dependencies with unofficial coverage planned}}{{legend|#4E9A06|Countries and dependencies with views of selected businesses and/or tourist attractions only}}{{legend|#8ACF45|Countries and dependencies with views of third party images of streets and/or landmarks}}{{legend|#E0E0E0|Countries and dependencies without current or planned coverage}}]]Google announced in May 2017 that it had captured more than {{Convert|10|e6mi|e6km|abbr=off}} of Street View imagery across 83 countries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/google-maps-street-view-celebrates-its-10th-birthday/|title=Google Maps Street View celebrates its 10th birthday|last=Ackerman|first=Dan|date=2017-05-30|work=CNET|access-date=2018-08-21|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.blog.google/products/maps/cheers-street-views-10th-birthday/|title=Cheers to Street View's 10th birthday!|date=2017-05-30|work=Google|access-date=2018-08-21|language=en}}</ref> Maps also include panoramic views taken underwater such as in [[West Nusa Tenggara]] underwater coral, in the [[Grand Canyon]], inside museums, and Liwa Desert in [[United Arab Emirates]], which is viewed from camelback.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wartakota.tribunnews.com/2014/10/09/pakai-unta-google-petakan-padang-pasir|title=Pakai Unta, Google Petakan Padang Pasir|first=Adi|last=Kurniawan|date=October 9, 2014}}</ref> In a ten-day trek with [[Apa Sherpa]], Google documented [[Khumbu]], Nepal with its Mount Everest, Sherpa communities, monasteries and schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2015/03/growing-up-in-shadow-of-everest_12.html|title=Growing up in the shadow of Everest|first=Apa|last=Sherpa|access-date=March 12, 2015}}</ref>

Google also added landmarks in [[Egypt]], including the [[Pyramids of Giza]], [[Cairo Citadel]], [[Saqqara]], [[Monastery of Saint Mina]], and the [[Citadel of Qaitbay]] in the 9 September 2014 release.

In June 2022, Google announced the company is relaunching their Street View service in India. The announcement came six years after the feature was banned in India over security concerns. The company has partnered with local technology businesses [[Tech Mahindra]] and [[Genesys (company)|Genesys]] to aid in the relaunch of the service. {{as of|2022|7}}, the service is live in 10 cities in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/26/google-street-view-india/|title=Google launches Street View in India after years of rejection|last=Singh|first=Jagmeet|date=27 July 2022|website=TechCrunch.com|publisher=TechCrunch|access-date=27 July 2022}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Official coverage made by Google (excluding third parties or unofficial)
!Region
!Normal street coverage
!Landmark coverage
|-
|East Asia
|Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau
|China
|-
|South-East Asia
|Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam (removed)
|
|-
|South Asia
|India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan
|Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, British Indian Ocean Territory
|-
|Central/Northern Asia
|Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan
|
|-
|Middle East
|Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Qatar, Lebanon, Oman
|Iraq
|-
|North Africa
|Tunisia
|Egypt
|-
|Central Africa
|São Tomé and Príncipe
|
|-
|West Africa
|Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana
|Mali
|-
|East Africa
|Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Réunion
|Madagascar, Tanzania
|-
|Southern Africa
|South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana
|
|-
|Western Europe
|United Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Malta, Luxembourg, Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, Isle of Man, Jersey, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein
|
|-
|Northern Europe
|Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Faroe Islands, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Åland Islands
|
|-
|Eastern Europe
|Poland, Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine
|Belarus
|-
|North America
|United States, Canada, Mexico, Greenland, Bermuda
|St. Pierre and Miquelon
|-
|Central America/Caribbean
|Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Panama
|Costa Rica, Martinique
|-
|South America
|Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Uruguay
|Falkland Islands
|-
|Oceania
|Australia, New Zealand, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Pitcairn Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands
|Vanuatu, United States Minor Outlying Islands
|-
|Antarctica
|
|Antarctica, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
|}

==Data capturing equipment==
[[File:GoogleStreetViewCameraCloseup.JPG|thumb|upright|Street View camera]]
[[File:Google Street View trike April 2010 United Kingdom.jpg|thumb|A Google Street View trike]]Street View imagery has come from several generations of camera systems from [[Immersive Media Company]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wired.com/2007/06/immersive_media/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=October 1, 2017 |archive-date=October 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001122404/https://www.wired.com/2007/06/immersive_media/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Point Grey Research (now [[FLIR Systems]]),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/google-streetview-cars-rocking-ladybug2-spherical-camer-283769|title=Google Streetview Cars Rocking Ladybug2 Spherical Camera|date=July 30, 2007|website=Gizmodo}}</ref> and [[Outsourcing|in-house]].<ref name="computer">{{cite journal |last1=Anguelov |first1=Dragomir |last2=Dulong |first2=Carole |last3=Filip |first3=Daniel |last4=Frueh |first4=Christian |last5=Lafon |first5=Stéphane |last6=Lyon |first6=Richard |last7=Ogale |first7=Abhijit |last8=Vincent |first8=Luc |last9=Weaver |first9=Josh |date=June 2010 |title=Google Street View: Capturing the world at street level |url=http://www.computer.org/csdl/mags/co/2010/06/mco2010060032-abs.html |journal=Computer |volume=43 |issue=6 |pages=32–38 |doi=10.1109/mc.2010.170 |s2cid=2820310 |access-date=31 August 2014}}</ref> The cameras contain no mechanical parts, including the [[Shutter (photography)|shutter]]; instead, they used [[Active-pixel sensor|CMOS sensors]] and an electronic [[rolling shutter]]. Widely deployed versions are:
* R2: the earliest after Immersive Media. The photos were captured with a ring of eight 11-megapixel [[Charge-coupled device|CCD]] sensors with commercial photographic [[wide-angle lens]]es, cameras with the same specifications as those used for the [[Google Books]] project.
* Ladybug2 cameras (resolution 1024 × 768 pixels) by Point Grey Research.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://gizmodo.com/283769/google-streetview-cars-rocking-ladybug2-spherical-camera|title=Google Streetview Cars Rocking Ladybug2 Spherical Camera|last=White|first=Charlie|work=Gizmodo|access-date=2017-10-01|language=en-US}}</ref>
* R5: uses a ring of eight 5-megapixel [[CMOS]] cameras by [[Elphel]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://googlecode.blogspot.com/2007/08/weekly-google-code-roundup-for-august.html|title=Weekly Google Code Roundup for August 10th - The official Google Code blog|date=2007-08-11|website=Weekly Google Code Roundup for August 10th - The official Google Code blog|access-date=2017-10-01}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=GoogleTechTalks|title=PhotoTechEDU Day 25: Open-source-based high-resolution...|date=2007-10-08|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjvF4uCRljo| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/HjvF4uCRljo| archive-date=2021-10-30|access-date=2017-10-01}}{{cbignore}}</ref> with custom low-[[lens flare|flare]] lenses, plus a camera with a [[fisheye lens]] on top to capture upper levels of buildings.
* R7: the first completely in-house-built camera; it uses 15 of the same sensors and lenses as R5, without the fisheye effect.
Data-recording equipment is usually mounted on the roof of a car. A trike ([[tricycle]]) was developed to record pedestrian routes, including [[Stonehenge]] and other [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s. In 2010, a [[snowmobile]]-based system captured the [[2010 Winter Olympics]] sites.<ref name="computer" /> Shopping trolleys have also been used to shoot the insides of museums, and in [[Venice]], the narrow roads were photographed with backpack-mounted cameras, and canals were photographed from boats.<ref>{{cite news |title=Google Street View takes Venice by foot |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/jul/15/google-street-view-venice-trekker |access-date=31 August 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> A portable backpack-mounted Google Trekker is used in outdoor terrain. For instance, the six main paths up [[Snowdon|Snowdon, United Kingdom]], were mapped by the Google Trekker in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last=Crump |first=Eryl |date=11 December 2015 |title=Take a tour of Snowdonia - with Google Street View |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/trips-breaks/take-tour-snowdonia-google-street-10577102 |access-date=9 October 2016}}</ref>

In 2017, Google used eight 20-megapixel cameras. Two cameras were facing left and right to read street signs and business names.<ref name="2017_update">{{cite web|last1=Amadeo|first1=Ron|title=Google's Street View cars are now giant, mobile 3D scanners|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/09/googles-street-view-cars-are-now-giant-mobile-3d-scanners/|access-date=6 September 2017|website=Ars Technica|date=6 September 2017}}</ref> [[Laser rangefinder|Laser range scanners]] from [[Sick AG]] for measuring up to 50 meters at 180° in the front of the vehicle<ref>{{cite web |last=Cummins |first=Mark |date=April 18, 2008 |title=Google Street View&nbsp;– Soon in 3D? |url=http://www.educatingsilicon.com/2008/04/18/google-street-view-soon-in-3d/ |access-date=January 3, 2012 |publisher=Educating Silicon}}</ref> are used for recording the actual dimensions of the space being photographed. [[Lidar|LIDAR]] scanners from [[Velodyne LiDAR|Velodyne]] were added in the 2017 update. It is mounted at 45° to capture three-dimensional depth information and positional information.<ref name="2017_update" /> Accurate positioning was done via a [[Global Positioning System]], a [[wheel speed sensor]], and [[Inertial navigation system|inertial navigation sensor data]].<ref name="computer" />

In September 2018, Google announced it would integrate air quality sensors from Aclima into its global fleet of Street View vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/12/google-street-view-cars-are-now-roaming-around-the-planet-checking-our-atmosphere-with-these-sensors/|title=Google Street View cars will be roaming around the planet to check our air quality with these sensors|last=Buhr|first=Sarah|date=September 12, 2018|website=TechCrunch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118050320/https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/12/google-street-view-cars-are-now-roaming-around-the-planet-checking-our-atmosphere-with-these-sensors/|archive-date=January 18, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=April 26, 2019}}</ref>
[[File:Google Street View at ALMA AOS.jpg|thumb|A Street View Trekker backpack-mounted camera]]
[[File:Google-Maps-Backpack-NYC.png|thumb|Google Maps Street View Trekker backpack being implemented on the sidewalk of the [[Manhattan Waterfront Greenway|Hudson River Greenway]] in New York City]]
==Privacy concerns==
{{Main|Google Street View privacy concerns}}
[[File:GoogleStreetViewCar Subaru Impreza at Google Campus.JPG|thumb|right|A Google Street View car was showcased on the [[Google for Startups|Google campus]] in [[Mountain View, California]], in October 2010.]]
Google Street View will blur content for any user who makes a request, in addition to the automatic blurring of faces and licence plates.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Mansion Map: a guide to rich people's houses, until Google blurs them out|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2014/jul/14/mansion-map-where-rich-and-famous-live|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=31 August 2014}}</ref> Privacy advocates have objected to Google Street View, pointing to views found to show men leaving strip clubs, protesters at an abortion clinic, sunbathers in bikinis, and people engaging in activities visible from public property that they do not wish to be seen publicly.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/other/display.var.1444323.0.0.php |title=Google's Street View site raises alarm over privacy |author=MacDonald, Calum |publisher=The Herald |date=June 4, 2007 |access-date=April 1, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213053639/http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/other/display.var.1444323.0.0.php |archive-date=February 13, 2009 }}</ref> Another concern is the height of the cameras, and in at least two countries, Japan<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wenkart |first=Michael |date=2014-04-10 |title=You are the target !: Or do you believe your government is always watching the others? |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QEBVAwAAQBAJ&q=japan+2009+google+street+view+2.05+meters&pg=PA171 |publisher=BoD – Books on Demand |page=171 |isbn=9783735793553 |access-date=2014-12-28 }}</ref> and Switzerland,<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Brien |first=Kevin |date=2012-06-08 |title=Swiss Court Orders Modifications to Google Street View |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/09/technology/09iht-google09.html?_r=0 |newspaper=New York Times |location=New York, NY |access-date=2014-12-28 }}</ref> Google has had to lower the height of its cameras so as to not peer over fences and hedges. The service also allows users to flag inappropriate or sensitive imagery for Google to review and remove.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/news/internetprivacy/2007-06-01-google-maps-privacy_N.htm |title=Google's street-level maps raising privacy concerns |author=Mills, Elinor |work=USA Today |date=June 3, 2007 |access-date=April 1, 2009}}</ref> On the other side of the blurring issue are those who wish their home or property to be unblurred. As of 2023, there is no process to have an image or object in Street View unblurred.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://7news.com.au/technology/google-street-view-offers-a-blur-option-but-should-you-use-it-c-9089406.amp | title=The little-known Google Street View privacy feature - and why experts don't expect many to take it up | date=January 2023 }}</ref>

[[Police Scotland]] received an apology for [[wasting police time]] in 2014 from a local business owner in [[Edinburgh]] who, in 2012, staged a fake murder for the Google camera car by lying in the road "while his colleague stood over him with a [[Pickaxe|pickaxe handle]]".<ref>{{Cite news|website=BBC News|title=Garage owner fakes Google 'murder' in Edinburgh street|date=June 2, 2014|access-date=February 20, 2015|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-27670099}}</ref> In May 2010, it was revealed that Google had collected and stored [[Payload (computing)|payload data]] from unencrypted [[Wi-Fi]] connections as part of Street View.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.techeye.net/security/google-admits-it-sniffed-out-peoples-data|title=Google admits it sniffed out people's data|date=May 17, 2010|publisher=TechEye|access-date=January 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613054541/http://news.techeye.net/security/google-admits-it-sniffed-out-peoples-data|archive-date=June 13, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10278068|title=Google accused of criminal intent over StreetView data|date=June 9, 2010|work=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=June 10, 2010}}</ref>

The concerns have led to Google not providing or suspending the service in countries around the world.

* Austria: Google Street View was banned in Austria, because Google was found to collect Wi-Fi data without authorization in 2010. After the ban was lifted, rules were set up for how Street View can operate legally in Austria. Google resumed collecting imagery in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thelocal.at/20170720/google-street-view-finally-captures-missing-austria|title=Google resumes collecting street view imagery in Austria|newspaper=The Local Austria |date=July 20, 2017}}</ref> As of 2018 Google Street View is available in select areas of Austria.
* Australia: In 2010, Google Street View ceased operations in Australia, following months of investigations from Australian authorities.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/366213/google_street_view_cars_no_longer_operation_australia/ |title=Google street view cars no longer operational in Australia&nbsp;– Computer world.com&nbsp;– November&nbsp;9, 2010 |publisher=Computer world.com |date=October 29, 2010 |access-date=December 11, 2010 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015128/http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/366213/google_street_view_cars_no_longer_operation_australia/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, this cessation has since ended, with Google announcing plans to continue production on May 4, 2011<ref>{{Cite web|last=Eustace|first=Alan|title=Privacy Impact Assessment for Street View in Australia|url=http://google-au.blogspot.com/2011/05/privacy-impact-assessment-for-street.html|publisher=Google Inc|access-date=August 12, 2011}}</ref> and subsequently releasing updated Street View imagery for Australian towns and cities on July 27, 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Foster|first=Andrew|title=Updates to Street View in Australia|url=http://google-au.blogspot.com/2011/07/updates-to-street-view-in-australia.html|publisher=Google Inc|access-date=August 12, 2011}}</ref>
* Germany: In 2011, having put online pictures of the 20 largest cities, Google stopped taking Street View images in Germany.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McCracken |first=Harry |url=https://techland.time.com/2011/04/11/alas-there-will-be-no-more-google-street-view-in-germany/ |title=Alas, There Will Be No More Google Street View in Germany |publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=April 11, 2011 |access-date=December 16, 2011}}</ref> However, as of mid-2020, Google's website shows numerous areas of Germany as being scheduled for coverage by Street View vehicles over the ensuing months.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.google.com/streetview/explore/#sv-headed |title=Street View photos come from two sources, Google and our contributors. |access-date=August 12, 2020 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> As of 2024, Germany has partial street coverage.
* India: In 2011, Google stopped taking street images in India, after receiving a letter from police authorities in [[Bangalore]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hken.ibtimes.com/articles/166562/20110621/india-it-hub-orders-google-to-suspend-street-view-service.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629104228/http://hken.ibtimes.com/articles/166562/20110621/india-it-hub-orders-google-to-suspend-street-view-service.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |title=India IT hub orders Google to suspend Street View service – International Business Times |publisher=Hken.ibtimes.com |date=June 21, 2011 |access-date=December 16, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> However, in 2022, Google announced Street View in eight Indian cities, including Bangalore.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Google brings back Street View in India after years of rejection |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/26/google-street-view-india/ |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=TechCrunch |date=July 27, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Canada: Street View cars were spotted as early as September 2007 in [[Montreal]]. However, service for Canada was delayed while they attempted to settle with the Canadian government over its [[privacy law]]s. [[Google Street View privacy concerns#Canada|Privacy and town beauty concerns]] were dealt with and Street View is available in Montreal and other Canadian cities (as of 2016).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/google-street-view-goes-live-in-canadian-cities-1.779887|title=Google Street View goes live in Canadian cities|publisher=[[CBC News]]|access-date=October 7, 2009}}</ref>

==Third-party use of images==
Imagery obtained from Google Street View has been used for research purposes, e.g., quantifying greenery, health studies, and assessing cycling conditions.<ref>
{{cite journal
|year=2021
|title=Assessing bikeability with street view imagery and computer vision
|journal=Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies
|volume= 132 |page= 103371
|doi=10.1016/j.trc.2021.103371
|last1=Ito
|first1=K.
|last2=Biljecki
|first2=F.
|arxiv=2105.08499
|s2cid=234763005
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite journal
|year=2021
|title=Street view imagery in urban analytics and GIS: A review
|journal=Landscape and Urban Planning
|volume= 215 |page= 104217
|doi=10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104217
|last1=Biljecki
|first1=F.
|last2=Ito
|first2=K.
|doi-access=free
}}</ref>

[[fine-art photography|Fine-art photographers]] have selected images for use in their own work.<ref>{{Cite book | last1 = Rickard | first1 = Doug | title = A New American Picture | date = 2010 | publisher = White Press | location = Köln | isbn = 9781597112192 | oclc = 727797183 }}</ref> The images have been published in book form and exhibited in art galleries, such as the work of [[Jon Rafman]] at the [[Saatchi Gallery]], London.<ref name="guardian in pictures">{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2012/feb/20/google-street-view-nine-eyes-in-pictures | title=The street views Google wasn't expecting you to see – in pictures | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=February 20, 2012 | access-date=February 20, 2012 | location=London}}</ref> Rafman sees images that evoke the "gritty urban life" depicted in American [[street photography]] and the images commissioned by the [[Farm Security Administration]]. He was inspired by the aesthetic of [[Henri Cartier-Bresson]].<ref>Jon Rafman, ''The Nine Eyes of Google Street View'', Introduction, Jean Boîte Editions, 2011. {{ISBN|978-2-36568-001-1}}.</ref>

[[Michael Wolf (photographer)|Michael Wolf]] won an honourable mention in Daily Life in the 2011 [[World Press Photo]] competition for some of his work using Google Street View.<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Laurent |first1= Olivier |date= February 11, 2011 |title= World Press Photo: Is Google Street View Photojournalism? |journal= British Journal of Photography |url= http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/news/2025845/world-press-photo-google-street-view-photojournalism |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110830122507/http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/news/2025845/world-press-photo-google-street-view-photojournalism |archive-date= August 30, 2011 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> [[Mishka Henner]] was shortlisted for the 2013 [[Deutsche Börse Photography Prize]] in November 2012 for his series 'No Man's Land', which depicts sex workers at rural roadside locations.<ref>[http://deutsche-boerse.com/dbg/dispatch/en/kir/dbg_nav/corporate_responsibility/33_Art_Collection/25_photography_prize "Deutsche Börse Photography Prize"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613052839/http://deutsche-boerse.com/dbg/dispatch/en/kir/dbg_nav/corporate_responsibility/33_Art_Collection/25_photography_prize |date=June 13, 2013 }}. Accessed 15 March 2013</ref> Canadian artist [[Sylvia Grace Borda]] worked in conjunction with John M. Lynch between 2013 and 2014<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parhar |first=Katherine |date=July 2016 |title=Farm Tableaux - Review |url=http://www.photomonitor.co.uk/2016/07/sylvia-grace-borda-farm-tableaux/ |website=Photomonitor UK}}{{dead link|date=December 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Travis |first=Rebecca |date=July 2016 |title=The only thing that's changed is everything: An essay by Rebecca Travis on Sylvia Grace Borda: Camera Histories |url=http://sshop.org.uk/project/rebecca-travis/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107024331/http://sshop.org.uk/project/rebecca-travis/ |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=November 19, 2017 |website=Scottish Society for the History of Photography}}</ref> to insert the first staged [[Tableau vivant|tableaux]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arva-Toth |first=Zoltan |date=October 29, 2013 |title=Photographers Create First Artworks in Google Street View |url=http://www.photographyblog.com/news/photographers_create_first_artworks_in_google_street_view/ |website=Digital News: Photography}}</ref> into the Google Street View engine. It won them the [[Lumen Prize]] in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 Lumen Prize Winners Announced |url=https://lumenprize.com/newsarticle/2016-lumen-winners-announced |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171104091130/http://lumenprize.com/newsarticle/2016-lumen-winners-announced |archive-date=November 4, 2017 |website=Lumen Prize |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Borda has independently continued to author the Google Street View engine, and in 2017, she created the tableaux series the ''Kissing Project''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Leah |title=On Google Street View, this small town in B.C. is a work of art: Peace, Love and Google Maps: these 360-degree portraits of a community aim to be an example for the world |url=http://www.cbc.ca/arts/on-google-street-view-this-small-town-in-b-c-is-a-work-of-art-1.4175526}}</ref>

Swedish programmer Anton Wallén developed a game called ''[[GeoGuessr]]'', which places players in a Google Street View and has them guess its location.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/brainiac/2013/05/a_new_game_asks.html |title=If dropped randomly on earth, would you know where you were? |first=Kevin |last=Hartnett |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=May 17, 2013 |location=[[Boston, MA|Boston]] |access-date=May 20, 2013}}</ref> In 2022, competitive players went viral, prompting a [[The New York Times|''New York Times'']] feature on top players.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Browning |first=Kellen |date=July 7, 2022 |title=Siberia or Japan? Expert Google Maps Players Can Tell at a Glimpse. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/07/business/geoguessr-google-maps.html |website=New York TImes}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Rear view of Google Street View car.jpg|The cameras of this Google Street View car are mounted on the [[roof rack]]. The power and data cables are fed into the car through the right rear passenger window.
File:Google Street View new car.jpg|A Google Street View car in Japan
File:Google Street View backpack camera.jpg|A backpack camera on display at the Google campus in [[Mountain View, California]], in February 2018
File:GoogleStreetViewCamera.jpg|Google Street View camera mounted on a "trike" is on display at the [[Computer History Museum]] in [[Mountain View, California]].
File:2014-04-29 Google Maps Streetview car.jpg|Google Maps car and camera used for collecting Street View data in [[Steveston, British Columbia|Steveston, Canada]]
File:Backpack Google Street View camera in Berlin.jpg|Backpack Google Street View camera in [[Berlin|Berlin, Germany]]
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[List of street view services]]
* [[Look Around (Apple)]]
* [[Aspen Movie Map]] (oldest project of this type)
* [[Route inspection problem]] (algorithmic problem related to the planning of Street View car routes)
* [[Historypin]]: a user-generated archive of historical photos, videos, audio recordings and personal recollections.
* [[VR photography]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://www.google.com/streetview/understand/ Map of Google Street View coverage]

{{Google Maps navbox}}
{{Google LLC}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Google Street View| ]]
[[Category:Google services|Street View]]
[[Category:Street view services]]
[[Category:Google Maps|Street View]]
[[Category:Google Earth|Street View]]
[[Category:Privacy controversies]]
[[Category:Virtual reality]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2007]]

[[sv:Google Maps#Street View]]

Latest revision as of 22:09, 23 November 2024

"Street View" redirects here. For services other than Google's, see List of street view services.

Google Street View
Initial releaseMay 25, 2007; 17 years ago (2007-05-25)
Stable release(s) [±]
Android2.0.0.387140768 / August 9, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-08-09)[1]
iOS2.17.3 / May 17, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-05-17)[2]
OnlineRelease 299 (see list) / November 7, 2023; 13 months ago (2023-11-07)
PlatformAndroid, iOS, web
Available inMultiple languages
Websitegoogle.com/streetview

Google Street View is a technology featured in Google Maps and Google Earth that provides interactive panoramas from positions along many streets in the world. It was launched in 2007 in several cities in the United States, and has since expanded to include all of the country's major and minor cities, as well as the cities and rural areas of many other countries worldwide. Streets with Street View imagery available are shown as clickable blue lines on Google Maps.

Google Street View displays interactive panoramas of stitched VR photographs. Most photography is done by car, but some is done by tricycle, camel, boat, snowmobile, underwater apparatus, and on foot.

History

Google Street View car in Germany

Street View had its inception in 2001 with the Stanford CityBlock Project, a Google-sponsored Stanford University research project. The project ended in June 2006, and its technology was folded into Street View.[3] The technology was launched on May 25, 2007, in the United States.

In May 2008, Google announced that it was testing face-blurring technology on its photos of the streets of Manhattan.[4] The technology uses a computer algorithm to search Google's image database for faces and blur them.[5] Street View was integrated into Google Earth 4.3, the Maps application on the Apple iPhone, and the Maps application for the S60 3rd Edition. In November, the drag-and-drop Pegman icon was introduced as the primary user interface element for connecting from Maps' 2D view into Street View's 3D view. When Pegman is dropped onto a particular set of coordinates in Google Maps for which Street View data is available, Street View opens and takes over the whole map window.

In 2009, a full-screen option and Smart Navigation were introduced. Smart Navigation allows users to navigate around the panoramas by double-clicking with their cursor on any place or object they want to see.[6] In May 2011, indoor views of businesses (Google Business Photos) were announced.[7] After the pilot phase of several months, the project was rolled out in autumn.[8]

With the release of Android 4.2 in November 2012, Google invited users to contribute panoramas of their own using supported devices. Google highlights user-contributed panoramas with blue circle icons on Maps. The company also created a website to highlight places in the world where one can find them.[9] In 2013, businesses such as shops, cafés and other premises can pay a photographer to take panoramic images of the interior of their premises, which were then included in Street View.[10] Google sets up a program to let third parties borrow the Street View Trekker (a backpack-mounted camera).[11] Business interior views are shown as small orange circles. In 2014, Street-level imagery from the past can now be optionally seen, if available, for a given street view.[12]

In 2015, a partnership was announced between Street View and the environmental monitoring company Aclima. Cars carry sensors to detect pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulates.[13] In October, support for Google Cardboard was announced, allowing users to utilize Street View in 360-degree virtual reality.[14]

In 2017, imagery inside the International Space Station was added to Street View. In August 2017, Google also allowed users to create their own Street View-like blue paths for the connected photospheres that are sufficiently close to one another.

On September 5, 2017, Google announced that they were improving the quality of the street view panoramic photo by revamping its mapping vehicles with all-new high-resolution camera systems and artificial intelligence. The new Google cars have been seen in various American cities since March 2017, as well as in Japan since August.[15] The first images taken with the new generation of cameras were available online on September 13.[16] In October 2017, the makers of the Insta360 Pro announced the certification of the first "Street View auto ready" camera for US$3,500; it uses six lenses for a 360° view and comes with Stitcher software.[17] In addition to purchase, the camera rig is also available to qualified entities as part of the Google loaner program, with 50 cameras available to loan.[18]

In 2018, Japan now offers the street view from a dog's perspective.[19] In August 2018, Street View covered two offshore gas-extraction platforms in the North Sea.[20]

On December 3, 2020, Google announced that users could contribute to Street View by capturing video using their augmented reality-supported phones using the Street View app.[21][22] Google shut down its dedicated Street View app on Android and iPhone and ended support on March 21, 2023. The Street View app allowed users to take and publish their own 360° photos. Google says that users can still upload 360° photos using StreetView Studio.[23]

Implementation

See also: List of Google Easter eggs § Pegman

Street View is available as a component of Google Maps and Google Earth, as a web application, and as a mobile application for Android and iOS. Originally, Google Maps used Adobe Flash for Street View.[24] Google overhauled Google Maps in 2013. The newer version uses JavaScript extensively and provides a JavaScript application programming interface.[25] At the time of their release, the new Google Maps and Street View were measured slower than the old version in various setups.[26][27] A user can switch to the old version of Google Maps.[28][29][needs update]

The drag-and-drop Pegman icon is the primary user interface element used by Google to connect Maps to Street View. Its name comes from its resemblance to a clothespeg. When not in use, Pegman sits atop or beside the Google Maps zoom controls. Occasionally, Pegman "dresses up" for special events or is joined by peg friends in Google Maps. When dragged into Street View near Area 51, he becomes a flying saucer, and when dragged near the Florida Keys or Hawaii, he becomes a mermaid. When viewing older views, the Pegman in the minimap changes to Doc Brown from Back to the Future.[30] At Loch Ness, Pegman turns into Nessie wearing a tartan hat, where Street View includes coverage of the lake itself as well as the nearby A82 road and rural areas.[31]

Coverage

Main article: Google Street View coverage
  Countries and dependencies with mostly full coverage
  Countries and dependencies with partial coverage
  Countries and dependencies with official coverage planned
  Countries and dependencies with unofficial coverage planned
  Countries and dependencies with views of selected businesses and/or tourist attractions only
  Countries and dependencies with views of third party images of streets and/or landmarks
  Countries and dependencies without current or planned coverage

Google announced in May 2017 that it had captured more than 10 million miles (16 million kilometres) of Street View imagery across 83 countries.[32][33] Maps also include panoramic views taken underwater such as in West Nusa Tenggara underwater coral, in the Grand Canyon, inside museums, and Liwa Desert in United Arab Emirates, which is viewed from camelback.[34] In a ten-day trek with Apa Sherpa, Google documented Khumbu, Nepal with its Mount Everest, Sherpa communities, monasteries and schools.[35]

Google also added landmarks in Egypt, including the Pyramids of Giza, Cairo Citadel, Saqqara, Monastery of Saint Mina, and the Citadel of Qaitbay in the 9 September 2014 release.

In June 2022, Google announced the company is relaunching their Street View service in India. The announcement came six years after the feature was banned in India over security concerns. The company has partnered with local technology businesses Tech Mahindra and Genesys to aid in the relaunch of the service. As of July 2022, the service is live in 10 cities in India.[36]

Official coverage made by Google (excluding third parties or unofficial)
Region Normal street coverage Landmark coverage
East Asia Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau China
South-East Asia Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam (removed)
South Asia India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, British Indian Ocean Territory
Central/Northern Asia Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan
Middle East Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Qatar, Lebanon, Oman Iraq
North Africa Tunisia Egypt
Central Africa São Tomé and Príncipe
West Africa Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana Mali
East Africa Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Réunion Madagascar, Tanzania
Southern Africa South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana
Western Europe United Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Malta, Luxembourg, Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, Isle of Man, Jersey, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein
Northern Europe Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Faroe Islands, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Åland Islands
Eastern Europe Poland, Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine Belarus
North America United States, Canada, Mexico, Greenland, Bermuda St. Pierre and Miquelon
Central America/Caribbean Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Panama Costa Rica, Martinique
South America Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Uruguay Falkland Islands
Oceania Australia, New Zealand, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Pitcairn Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands Vanuatu, United States Minor Outlying Islands
Antarctica Antarctica, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Data capturing equipment

Street View camera
A Google Street View trike

Street View imagery has come from several generations of camera systems from Immersive Media Company,[37] Point Grey Research (now FLIR Systems),[38] and in-house.[39] The cameras contain no mechanical parts, including the shutter; instead, they used CMOS sensors and an electronic rolling shutter. Widely deployed versions are:

  • R2: the earliest after Immersive Media. The photos were captured with a ring of eight 11-megapixel CCD sensors with commercial photographic wide-angle lenses, cameras with the same specifications as those used for the Google Books project.
  • Ladybug2 cameras (resolution 1024 × 768 pixels) by Point Grey Research.[40]
  • R5: uses a ring of eight 5-megapixel CMOS cameras by Elphel[41][42] with custom low-flare lenses, plus a camera with a fisheye lens on top to capture upper levels of buildings.
  • R7: the first completely in-house-built camera; it uses 15 of the same sensors and lenses as R5, without the fisheye effect.

Data-recording equipment is usually mounted on the roof of a car. A trike (tricycle) was developed to record pedestrian routes, including Stonehenge and other UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In 2010, a snowmobile-based system captured the 2010 Winter Olympics sites.[39] Shopping trolleys have also been used to shoot the insides of museums, and in Venice, the narrow roads were photographed with backpack-mounted cameras, and canals were photographed from boats.[43] A portable backpack-mounted Google Trekker is used in outdoor terrain. For instance, the six main paths up Snowdon, United Kingdom, were mapped by the Google Trekker in 2015.[44]

In 2017, Google used eight 20-megapixel cameras. Two cameras were facing left and right to read street signs and business names.[45] Laser range scanners from Sick AG for measuring up to 50 meters at 180° in the front of the vehicle[46] are used for recording the actual dimensions of the space being photographed. LIDAR scanners from Velodyne were added in the 2017 update. It is mounted at 45° to capture three-dimensional depth information and positional information.[45] Accurate positioning was done via a Global Positioning System, a wheel speed sensor, and inertial navigation sensor data.[39]

In September 2018, Google announced it would integrate air quality sensors from Aclima into its global fleet of Street View vehicles.[47]

A Street View Trekker backpack-mounted camera
Google Maps Street View Trekker backpack being implemented on the sidewalk of the Hudson River Greenway in New York City

Privacy concerns

Main article: Google Street View privacy concerns
A Google Street View car was showcased on the Google campus in Mountain View, California, in October 2010.

Google Street View will blur content for any user who makes a request, in addition to the automatic blurring of faces and licence plates.[48] Privacy advocates have objected to Google Street View, pointing to views found to show men leaving strip clubs, protesters at an abortion clinic, sunbathers in bikinis, and people engaging in activities visible from public property that they do not wish to be seen publicly.[49] Another concern is the height of the cameras, and in at least two countries, Japan[50] and Switzerland,[51] Google has had to lower the height of its cameras so as to not peer over fences and hedges. The service also allows users to flag inappropriate or sensitive imagery for Google to review and remove.[52] On the other side of the blurring issue are those who wish their home or property to be unblurred. As of 2023, there is no process to have an image or object in Street View unblurred.[53]

Police Scotland received an apology for wasting police time in 2014 from a local business owner in Edinburgh who, in 2012, staged a fake murder for the Google camera car by lying in the road "while his colleague stood over him with a pickaxe handle".[54] In May 2010, it was revealed that Google had collected and stored payload data from unencrypted Wi-Fi connections as part of Street View.[55][56]

The concerns have led to Google not providing or suspending the service in countries around the world.

  • Austria: Google Street View was banned in Austria, because Google was found to collect Wi-Fi data without authorization in 2010. After the ban was lifted, rules were set up for how Street View can operate legally in Austria. Google resumed collecting imagery in 2017.[57] As of 2018 Google Street View is available in select areas of Austria.
  • Australia: In 2010, Google Street View ceased operations in Australia, following months of investigations from Australian authorities.[58] However, this cessation has since ended, with Google announcing plans to continue production on May 4, 2011[59] and subsequently releasing updated Street View imagery for Australian towns and cities on July 27, 2011.[60]
  • Germany: In 2011, having put online pictures of the 20 largest cities, Google stopped taking Street View images in Germany.[61] However, as of mid-2020, Google's website shows numerous areas of Germany as being scheduled for coverage by Street View vehicles over the ensuing months.[62] As of 2024, Germany has partial street coverage.
  • India: In 2011, Google stopped taking street images in India, after receiving a letter from police authorities in Bangalore.[63] However, in 2022, Google announced Street View in eight Indian cities, including Bangalore.[64]
  • Canada: Street View cars were spotted as early as September 2007 in Montreal. However, service for Canada was delayed while they attempted to settle with the Canadian government over its privacy laws. Privacy and town beauty concerns were dealt with and Street View is available in Montreal and other Canadian cities (as of 2016).[65]

Third-party use of images

Imagery obtained from Google Street View has been used for research purposes, e.g., quantifying greenery, health studies, and assessing cycling conditions.[66][67]

Fine-art photographers have selected images for use in their own work.[68] The images have been published in book form and exhibited in art galleries, such as the work of Jon Rafman at the Saatchi Gallery, London.[69] Rafman sees images that evoke the "gritty urban life" depicted in American street photography and the images commissioned by the Farm Security Administration. He was inspired by the aesthetic of Henri Cartier-Bresson.[70]

Michael Wolf won an honourable mention in Daily Life in the 2011 World Press Photo competition for some of his work using Google Street View.[71] Mishka Henner was shortlisted for the 2013 Deutsche Börse Photography Prize in November 2012 for his series 'No Man's Land', which depicts sex workers at rural roadside locations.[72] Canadian artist Sylvia Grace Borda worked in conjunction with John M. Lynch between 2013 and 2014[73][74] to insert the first staged tableaux[75] into the Google Street View engine. It won them the Lumen Prize in 2016.[76] Borda has independently continued to author the Google Street View engine, and in 2017, she created the tableaux series the Kissing Project.[77]

Swedish programmer Anton Wallén developed a game called GeoGuessr, which places players in a Google Street View and has them guess its location.[78] In 2022, competitive players went viral, prompting a New York Times feature on top players.[79]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Google Street View". APKMirror. Android Police. March 11, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  2. ^ "Google Street View on the App Store". App Store. Apple Inc. March 11, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  3. ^ "The Stanford CityBlock Project: multi-perspective panoramas of city blocks". Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  4. ^ Frome, Andrea. "Google's LatLong Blog". Google-latlong.blogspot.com. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  5. ^ "CNet article "Google begins blurring faces in Street View"". News.cnet.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  6. ^ "PC World article "Google Street View Gets Smart Navigation"". Pcworld.com. June 5, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  7. ^ Cheng, Jacqui (May 6, 2011). "Google to beef up Places, Street View with interior business photos".
  8. ^ Kelly, Meghan (October 26, 2011). "Google Maps rolls out business interiors in Street View". VentureBeat. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  9. ^ "Contribuiți – Street View – Hărţi Google". Google Maps. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  10. ^ Smith, Mark (May 3, 2013). "Google Street View gets peek inside Sheffield university buildings | Technology | guardian.co.uk". Guardian. London. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  11. ^ "Treks". Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  12. ^ "Google introduces 'time machine' feature in Street View". The Guardian. April 23, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  13. ^ Gershgorn, Dave (July 30, 2015). "Google Will Start Mapping Pollution The Same Way They Map Streets". Popular Science. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  14. ^ Lopez, Napier (October 12, 2015). "Google Street View adds virtual reality support". NextWeb.
  15. ^ "Google's New Street View Cameras Will Help Algorithms Index The Real World". Wired.
  16. ^ "Google Maps". Google Maps.
  17. ^ Moscaritolo, Angela (October 3, 2017). "Collect Google Street View Pics With $3,500 Insta360 Pro". PCMAG. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  18. ^ "You can now capture Google Street View scenery with your car for $3,500". October 2, 2017.
  19. ^ Romano, Andrea (March 7, 2018). "Google Japan Now Has Street View From a Dog's Perspective". Travel + Leisure. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018.
  20. ^ "Google Street View Tours Offshore Platform". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  21. ^ Perez, Sarah (December 3, 2020). "Google now lets anyone contribute to Street View using AR and an app". TechCrunch. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  22. ^ Warren, Tom (December 3, 2020). "Google Maps now lets you create Street View photos with just a phone". The Verge. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  23. ^ "Google is shutting down its dedicated Street View app next year". 9to5Google. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  24. ^ Arthur, Charles (March 20, 2009). "Where the Streets All Have Google's Name". The Guardian.com (US ed.).
  25. ^ "Street View Service". Google Developers. August 25, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  26. ^ The new Street View on Google Maps is very slow Archived December 3, 2018, at the Wayback Machine (Google Maps Help Forum, 26 February 2014)
  27. ^ Tired of new, slow Google Maps? This is how you can switch to the old version! Archived November 19, 2015, at the Wayback Machine (Geoawesomeness, June 12, 2014)
  28. ^ "Switch back to the classic version of Maps". Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  29. ^ Switching Back to the Old Google Maps Archived November 17, 2015, at the Wayback Machine (Netvantage Marketing, 2 January 2014)
  30. ^ Tan, Alicia Marie (October 22, 2015) Hop into the Google Maps time machine with Doc Brown Archived December 26, 2017, at the Wayback Machine Mashable, Retrieved June 2016
  31. ^ Best, Shivali (June 7, 2020). "Google Maps has a sneaky hidden feature over Loch Ness - here's how to find it". The Mirror. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  32. ^ Ackerman, Dan (May 30, 2017). "Google Maps Street View celebrates its 10th birthday". CNET. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  33. ^ "Cheers to Street View's 10th birthday!". Google. May 30, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  34. ^ Kurniawan, Adi (October 9, 2014). "Pakai Unta, Google Petakan Padang Pasir".
  35. ^ Sherpa, Apa. "Growing up in the shadow of Everest". Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  36. ^ Singh, Jagmeet (July 27, 2022). "Google launches Street View in India after years of rejection". TechCrunch.com. TechCrunch. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  37. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  38. ^ "Google Streetview Cars Rocking Ladybug2 Spherical Camera". Gizmodo. July 30, 2007.
  39. ^ a b c Anguelov, Dragomir; Dulong, Carole; Filip, Daniel; Frueh, Christian; Lafon, Stéphane; Lyon, Richard; Ogale, Abhijit; Vincent, Luc; Weaver, Josh (June 2010). "Google Street View: Capturing the world at street level". Computer. 43 (6): 32–38. doi:10.1109/mc.2010.170. S2CID 2820310. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  40. ^ White, Charlie. "Google Streetview Cars Rocking Ladybug2 Spherical Camera". Gizmodo. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  41. ^ "Weekly Google Code Roundup for August 10th - The official Google Code blog". Weekly Google Code Roundup for August 10th - The official Google Code blog. August 11, 2007. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  42. ^ GoogleTechTalks (October 8, 2007), PhotoTechEDU Day 25: Open-source-based high-resolution..., archived from the original on October 30, 2021, retrieved October 1, 2017 {{citation}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  43. ^ "Google Street View takes Venice by foot". The Guardian. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  44. ^ Crump, Eryl (December 11, 2015). "Take a tour of Snowdonia - with Google Street View". Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  45. ^ a b Amadeo, Ron (September 6, 2017). "Google's Street View cars are now giant, mobile 3D scanners". Ars Technica. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  46. ^ Cummins, Mark (April 18, 2008). "Google Street View – Soon in 3D?". Educating Silicon. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  47. ^ Buhr, Sarah (September 12, 2018). "Google Street View cars will be roaming around the planet to check our air quality with these sensors". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on January 18, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  48. ^ "Mansion Map: a guide to rich people's houses, until Google blurs them out". The Guardian. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  49. ^ MacDonald, Calum (June 4, 2007). "Google's Street View site raises alarm over privacy". The Herald. Archived from the original on February 13, 2009. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
  50. ^ Wenkart, Michael (April 10, 2014). You are the target !: Or do you believe your government is always watching the others?. BoD – Books on Demand. p. 171. ISBN 9783735793553. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  51. ^ O'Brien, Kevin (June 8, 2012). "Swiss Court Orders Modifications to Google Street View". New York Times. New York, NY. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  52. ^ Mills, Elinor (June 3, 2007). "Google's street-level maps raising privacy concerns". USA Today. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
  53. ^ "The little-known Google Street View privacy feature - and why experts don't expect many to take it up". January 2023.
  54. ^ "Garage owner fakes Google 'murder' in Edinburgh street". BBC News. June 2, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  55. ^ "Google admits it sniffed out people's data". TechEye. May 17, 2010. Archived from the original on June 13, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  56. ^ "Google accused of criminal intent over StreetView data". BBC Online. June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
  57. ^ "Google resumes collecting street view imagery in Austria". The Local Austria. July 20, 2017.
  58. ^ "Google street view cars no longer operational in Australia – Computer world.com – November 9, 2010". Computer world.com. October 29, 2010. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
  59. ^ Eustace, Alan. "Privacy Impact Assessment for Street View in Australia". Google Inc. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  60. ^ Foster, Andrew. "Updates to Street View in Australia". Google Inc. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  61. ^ McCracken, Harry (April 11, 2011). "Alas, There Will Be No More Google Street View in Germany". Time. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  62. ^ "Street View photos come from two sources, Google and our contributors". Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  63. ^ "India IT hub orders Google to suspend Street View service – International Business Times". Hken.ibtimes.com. June 21, 2011. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  64. ^ "Google brings back Street View in India after years of rejection". TechCrunch. July 27, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  65. ^ "Google Street View goes live in Canadian cities". CBC News. Retrieved October 7, 2009.
  66. ^ Ito, K.; Biljecki, F. (2021). "Assessing bikeability with street view imagery and computer vision". Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies. 132: 103371. arXiv:2105.08499. doi:10.1016/j.trc.2021.103371. S2CID 234763005.
  67. ^ Biljecki, F.; Ito, K. (2021). "Street view imagery in urban analytics and GIS: A review". Landscape and Urban Planning. 215: 104217. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104217.
  68. ^ Rickard, Doug (2010). A New American Picture. Köln: White Press. ISBN 9781597112192. OCLC 727797183.
  69. ^ "The street views Google wasn't expecting you to see – in pictures". The Guardian. London. February 20, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  70. ^ Jon Rafman, The Nine Eyes of Google Street View, Introduction, Jean Boîte Editions, 2011. ISBN 978-2-36568-001-1.
  71. ^ Laurent, Olivier (February 11, 2011). "World Press Photo: Is Google Street View Photojournalism?". British Journal of Photography. Archived from the original on August 30, 2011.
  72. ^ "Deutsche Börse Photography Prize" Archived June 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 15 March 2013
  73. ^ Parhar, Katherine (July 2016). "Farm Tableaux - Review". Photomonitor UK.[dead link‍]
  74. ^ Travis, Rebecca (July 2016). "The only thing that's changed is everything: An essay by Rebecca Travis on Sylvia Grace Borda: Camera Histories". Scottish Society for the History of Photography. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  75. ^ Arva-Toth, Zoltan (October 29, 2013). "Photographers Create First Artworks in Google Street View". Digital News: Photography.
  76. ^ "2016 Lumen Prize Winners Announced". Lumen Prize. Archived from the original on November 4, 2017.
  77. ^ Collins, Leah. "On Google Street View, this small town in B.C. is a work of art: Peace, Love and Google Maps: these 360-degree portraits of a community aim to be an example for the world".
  78. ^ Hartnett, Kevin (May 17, 2013). "If dropped randomly on earth, would you know where you were?". The Boston Globe. Boston. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  79. ^ Browning, Kellen (July 7, 2022). "Siberia or Japan? Expert Google Maps Players Can Tell at a Glimpse". New York TImes.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Google Street View.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Google_Street_View&oldid=1259196092"