Google Uses Tricycles To Take Pictures Of UK Tourist Hotspots

Google has unveiled a fleet of manned tricycles as its latest secret weapon in a bid to capture pictures of landmarks and hot spots for its controversial Street View service. Tricycles have apparently been chosen because of their stability, ruggedness and because they can access places that are inaccessible to four-wheel vehicles. Obviously, the fact that it is human-powered only serves to boost Google's green credential as well as reduce costs associated to fuel consumption. Google will be partnering with http://www.visitbritain.co.uk/ Visit Britain, Britain's national tourism agency, responsible for marketing Britain worldwide. The public will also be able to vote on which landmarks they want to be photographed. Five categories have been identified Castles, Coastal paths, Natural Wonders, Historic Buildings & Monuments and (Sports) Stadiums. This means that Google could even end up scanning every millimeter of famous football stadiums like Old Trafford or Anfield road if given the permission. If the current trials, which are being held in Genoa, Italy, prove to be successful, Google is likely to include all public sites including landmarks and paths in the UK. Google Street view has been a hit with online users. More people are using Google Maps than Google News according to research website Alexa and a significant portion of them have used Google Street View.

Source: http://www.itproportal.com/portal/news/article/2009/5/18/google-uses-tricycles-take-pictures-uk-tourist-hotspots/