Google has launched a pilot program for third-party organizations to borrow its Street View Trekker camera backpack device, to enable them to contribute imgagery to Google Maps.
One partner is the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB), which has already started taking photos of sites on the Hawaiian islands, which will one day appear in Google Maps Street View.
Google is calling on tourism boards, non-profits, government agencies, universities, research organizations and other entities to participate in the program. In the coming months, the company will open up the program to a limited number of other organizations.
Unfortunately, Google has made no mention of letting others borrow its Street View cars. That would no doubt be a very popular pilot program, especially during the current Arrested Development craze.
Earlier this year, Google released imagery of the Grand Canyon, the first journey Google used the Trekker for. Last month, they announced some plans for imagery from the Galapagos Islands, also utilizing Trekker. This week, Google also discussed using the Trekker for imagery from the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
