Google Street View is able to capture most of its images via its Street View car, which has been mapping and photographing streets since 2007.
But ever wonder how Google Street View is able to obtain some of its more breathtaking, wordly images? Well, Nat and Lo did and they sought to find out as part of their 20% Project, where they go around Google, learning about all the things that they're curious about.
What they discovered is Trekker, a backpack, and smaller, lighter way that Google Street View captures its off-road images, going all the places that the cars can't go. The very first place that the Trekker was used for Google Street view—The Grand Canyon.
So, how does the Trekker work? It's a camera rig of 15 cameras at five megapixels each, capturing a frame every two seconds and giving off a panoramic view. Software helps stitch those 15 cameras' images together for one image. The software also uses something called "ground fill," which makes an artificial floor for any Street View, so that if the person using the Trekker looks down at their feet, we won't see them.
When positioned in the backpack, the entire Trekker unit weighs 50 pounds.
At the onset of the Trekker, only Google employees were able to use them. But the Trekker Loan Program gives anyone the chance to apply to capture off-road images for Google. The Trekker has also been mounted on everything from horses to ziplines, boats, sleds and even a camel's hump in the desert.
To see the full episode of how Google Street View works minus the car, click on Nat and Lo's full episode below.
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