Google unleash pedal power trikes to map more

Continuing with its relentless campaign of digitization, Google this week unleashed a fleet of “Google trikes”. The camera-laden bikes are designed to access those parts of the undulating European expanses that the Google car can’t.

The images caught by the trikes will be stitched together and added to Google Maps’ Street View function.

The first places to get the “Google trike” treatment will be three landmarks chosen by the public in a scheme with VisitBritain, if the current tests on the streets of Genoa go to plan.

Justin Reid from VisitBritain said: “The new trike will enable us to showcase even more of Britain’s wonderful destinations and we look forward to some great ideas from the public.”

The trike, which weighs a mighty 18 stone or two Theo Walcotts, will be hauled across Europe by ultra-fit Google cyclers.

“Depending on what the public vote for, users will be able to virtually tour castles or monuments before visiting – or check out which side of a football stadium they need to be on before leaving the house,” said a Google spokesman.

But as Google giddily oil their trikes’ chains ready to send them out, whiffs of a backlash are beginning to percolate, as angry villagers in Broughton, Cambridgeshire blocked a Google car from entering their affluent village. The angry mob chased the car with pitch forks and torches – no they didn’t really, but they probably wanted to.
(Via DailyMail)