Tag: Broughton
Google unleash pedal power trikes to map more
Continuing with it’s 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 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 Geneo 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 oil their trikes chains ready to send them out, whiffs of a backlash were begining to perculate, as angry villagers in Broughton, Cambrighshire blocked a google car from entering their affulent village. The angry mob chased the car with pitch forks and torches – no they didn’t really, but they probably wanted to.
Village forms human chain to stop Google Street View car
A small village in Buckinghamshire has thumbed its nose to the world, and refused to allow Google to index its streets. Broughton, which is close to Milton Keynes, has suffered a few burglaries in recent months, so when the Street View car rolled into town, they formed a human chain across the street to stop it going any further.
“My immediate reaction was anger,” said resident Paul Jacobs “how dare anyone take a photograph of my home without my consent?” The villagers called the police and accosted the driver, accusing him of “invasion of privacy”.
Google, for thier part, issued a statement saying that the vehicle was using public roads and wasn’t breaking any laws. They also reminded the public that anyone can remove their house from the service, and they also blur faces and vehicle number plates.
The street view car has recently been spotted in Reading, Preston, Ipswitch and Winchester. The service recently went live in London, but has been available in the USA for years.
(via Telegraph, image via @ruskin147)
