Google Maps Street View 360 How the heck?

[stsinner]

If you've ever gone to the street view on Google Maps, you've seen how you can do a very smooth 360 degree pan, and even straight up and down..

Two Questions:

1. What kind of equipment is used for this, and what is the process?

2. How long does the Google car have to sit where it is in order to photograph this 360 degree view? Just wondering if it can be done without drawing attention to itself.

the concept is quite amazing. If you haven't seen it yet, go to www.google.com/maps then cut and paste this into the box: 3440 N. Payton Indianapolis, IN

When the addres box on the map comes up, click on street view withing that box, and use the scroll buttons top left..


Thanks.

 

[rmh159]

I believe it's done with video cameras on top of the car that record 360 degrees while the car drives.

On a side note... this is friggin hilarious.

 

[Dao]

Google car got a ticket
Busted on Flickr - Photo Sharing!


This is where the cop saw the car I believe. It maybe something to do with the stop sign
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=....459536&spn=0.005705,0.009549&z=17&iwloc=addr


After Google car got the ticket
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=...,-122.457165&spn=0,359.991782&z=17&iwloc=addr

 

[lids369]

if go forwards, you can see the cop chase the car