Google's massive Street View camera backpack is heavy AF
What do you get when you put an almost 4-foot high backpack on someone that's barely 5-foot-2?
A lot of screaming, balancing, and wobbling.
SEE ALSO:Google's Street View Gets Stunning Imagery from the Grand CanyonSo it wasn't the most graceful when I tried on Google's Street View Trekker, one of several pieces of equipment the company uses to capture its Street View imagery.
The 3-foot-9-inch high (1.2m) Trekker consists of 15 cameras in a ball-like shape, mounted on a pole, powered by a computer backpack. The set up is fully waterproof and battery-powered up to 8 hours.
It's able to capture the 360-degree images we see on Street View.
You're meant to strap on the 44 pounds (20kg) contraption and carry it into places that are hard to reach on four wheels.
Credit: ng yi shu/mashableIt's been taken to places like the Komodo islands, on a zip line in Brazil leading to the Amazon, and even near a fiery volcano.
And today, it was brought for a walk through one of Singapore's lush forest trails.
Clutching onto the railings for dear lifeCredit: ng yi shu/mashableIt only took about three people to help me get the Trekker on.
The hardest part was making it down three flights of stairs -- the weight of the backpack caused me to lean heavily forward and I kept picturing myself tumbling down head-first.
I could also feel the 15-camera ball wobbling with each step I took, despite the Trekker looking quite sturdy.
In comparison, it was easier to walk back up the stairs, and far less scary to walk on flat ground, naturally.
In all, I lasted all of five minutes.
Here's the Trekker at 3-foot-9 and me at barely 5-foot-2.Credit: ng yi shu/mashableFor the demo, Google brought in an ultra-marathoner who made it look like a literal walk in the park.
"The first time I tried it I had to steady myself a bit, but after a while you get used to it," said Paviter Singh, a Singaporean ultra-marathoner.
"I can feel the weight for sure. It's manageable, but we have to try to ensure that we don't wobble too much."
Paviter (L) and Ben (R), another running enthusiast, made it look too easy.Credit: NG YI SHU/MASHABLEThe Trekker, which was first launched in 2011, uses the same technology that is used in Google's camera-equipped cars.
"We shrunk it, turning it into a wearable backpack. It was a lot of work to minimise it. We're hoping it will get smaller," said Cynthia Wei, Street View program manager, APAC.
Google on Thursday announced that it was teaming up with JustRunLah, a Singapore running group, to capture nature trails around the country.
The collaboration is not unique to Singapore. In Australia for example, the country's National Parks has teamed up with Google to capture some of the island's remote paths.
Individuals can also apply to borrow the Trekker and help map their piece of the world.
So the next time you take a virtual stroll down a far-flung path, just remember that you have an adventurous walker to thank for it.
Featured Video For You
This Star Wars-like flying car is everyone's dream come true
(责任编辑:行业动态)
- 13 Unbelievable Underwater Wonders in Florida
- Gov't approves import of N. Korean bottles of water
- 雍万英:灾后重建让合作社发展前景更广阔
- Dyson spent over 10 years developing the 360 eye robot vacuum. How does it rank?
- 高温难耐,工会驿站化身“清凉小屋”
- Who is the Dark Wizard in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 2?
- 不送贺卡不送礼 敬上真挚感恩情
- Twitter to notify users who engaged with Russian propaganda accounts
- Google Chrome gets a redesign. See how it's changing.
- How to trademark your TikTok phrase and protect your brand
- North Korea says naval blockade will trigger war
- Kelly Clarkson schooled a Twitter troll after Michelle Obama's Democratic convention speech
- Man accused of threatening Busan sex worker with severed finger
-
12 Sculptures Made From Recycled Materials
Most trash is destined for some forlorn landfill or recycling center, but when it finds its way into ...[详细] -
Apple iOS 17: Some features won't be ready on launch day
Apple iOS 17 is almost here, with features like StandBy and mental health assessments coming. We'll ...[详细] -
North Korea reveals photos of Hwasong
North Korea released photos of its new Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile, which it fired ...[详细] -
This is the only Pakistan playing XI that can beat Australia in 3rd T20I
The tour of Australia came at a point when Pakistan were in a transition phase. The captains for the ...[详细] -
Tesla Robotaxis aren't coming in August, it seems
A few months ago, Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised a Tesla Robotaxi unveiling in August. Now, a new repo ...[详细] -
People often defend an alleged rapist's character. Here's why you should doubt them
The character witness holds tremendous power. This person vouches for the perpetrator, who in many h ...[详细] -
Why China can't push North Korea harder
Additional US sanctions will be merely ‘marginal'By Kim Jae-kyoungJoseph LiowSINGAPORE -- Chin ...[详细] -
How a North Korean soldier defected in hail of bullets [VIDEO]
Captured from the footage The United Nations Command (UNC) on Wednesday released video footage of a ...[详细] -
Flying spaghetti monster and unworldly life filmed in deep sea footage
Scientists discovered a giant underwater mountain. And it's teeming with deep sea life.An endeavor a ...[详细] -
People often defend an alleged rapist's character. Here's why you should doubt them
The character witness holds tremendous power. This person vouches for the perpetrator, who in many h ...[详细]