Google Goes On A Grand Canyon Trek With New Street View Camera System

In June, Google unveiled Trekker, a tool designed to capture imagery from Google Maps Street View, which would be unattainable by way of vehicle or even a Street View Trike. It’s basically a bac...
Google Goes On A Grand Canyon Trek With New Street View Camera System
Written by Chris Crum
  • In June, Google unveiled Trekker, a tool designed to capture imagery from Google Maps Street View, which would be unattainable by way of vehicle or even a Street View Trike. It’s basically a backpack with a camera attached to it, which takes 360-degree imagery.

    Today, Google revealed its first Trekker-based outing. The company has sent its team to the Grand Canyon to get new Street View imagery.

    “The canyon landscape is one of the most breathtaking places in the world, is only accessible on foot, and perfectly demonstrates why the Street View Trekker backpack was developed to maneuver narrow trails and rocky terrain,” a Google spokesperson tells WebProNews. “Once the still photos are collected, they’ll be stitched together into 360-degree panoramics and shared on Google Maps for both armchair travelers and real life explorers around the world to see and experience.”

    “The narrow ridges and steep, exposed trails of the Grand Canyon provide the perfect terrain for our newest camera system,” says Google Street View product manager Ryan Falor. “The Trekker—which its operator controls via an Android phone and automatically gathers photos as he walks—enables the collection of high-quality imagery from places that are only accessible on foot.”

    “This week, photos are being gathered from portions of the South Rim at Grand Canyon National Park, including the ridge, the famous Bright Angel Trail, South Kaibab Trail, and more,” says Falor. “These panoramic views will soon be live on Google Maps, giving everyone from real-life visitors to armchair travelers the opportunity to marvel at this beautiful, majestic site from the comfort of their computers or mobile devices.”

    Here are some early photos of the team on its quest:

    Grand Canyon Trek

    Grand Canyon Trek

    Grand Canyon Trek

    It will be interesting to see where else Google takes Trekker. I have a feeling we’re going to be in for some pretty impressive Street View imagery in the not too distant future. Google is already taking things up a notch with the addition of ocean imagery, building interiors, and various exotic locations.

    See what else Google’s Street View team has been up to lately here.

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