Google Street View Gets Moving Again

Google [GOOG] recently grounded all it’s street view cars globally due to the company capturing WiFi data whilst driving about the globe. Changes have been made by Google which see’s the WiFi scanning equipment removed from cars as well as the software used to capture the data.

The WiFi data collection equipment has been removed from our cars in each country and the independent security experts Stroz Friedberg have approved a protocol to ensure any WiFi-related software is also removed from the cars before they start driving again.

What this means is that with new protocols in place, the company is now about to re-send out cars in various countries. The roll out of Google Street View cars will start next week in Ireland, Norway, South Africa and Sweden. These countries will be followed by other countries in the weeks to come.

Data captured by the cars includes Photos and 3D building imagery as quoted below…

* Photos: so that we can build Street View, our 360 degree street level maps. Photos like these are also being taken by TeleAtlas and NavTeq for Bing maps. In addition, we use this imagery to improve the quality of our maps, for example by using shop, street and traffic signs to refine our local business listings and travel directions; and

* 3-D building imagery: we collect 3D geometry data with low power lasers (similar to those used in retail scanners) which help us improve our maps. NavTeq also collects this information in partnership with Bing. As does TeleAtlas.

The full announcement can be read over at Google.

Comments

  1. Google Street View says

    It’s about time. I am looking forward to some fresh data!

  2. Somethings fishy here says

    Headline: Consumer Group Sniffs Congresswoman’s Open Wi-Fi

    Update: All parties are glad that’s all they sniffed.

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