A Google employee on a camera-equipped tricycle recording images

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design and functionality of a camera-equipped tricycle used by Google for capturing street-view images. Participants explore various aspects including the choice of vehicle, mechanical design, and potential applications of the technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question why a bicycle is used instead of a faster motorcycle, suggesting that the choice may be influenced by the need to navigate pedestrianized areas and tourist spots.
  • There are observations about the mechanical design of the tricycle, with multiple participants noting the ingenious gear system and speculating on its transmission mechanism.
  • One participant describes a personal experience with a similar system used for ground radar, comparing it to the Google tricycle's design.
  • Some participants express interest in the job of operating the camera-equipped tricycle, highlighting the visibility and uniqueness of the role.
  • There are discussions about the potential for Google to incorporate live audio recordings into their street view technology, with one participant humorously suggesting a company focused on leisure themes.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the effectiveness of laser scanners used in conjunction with the optical cameras, with a participant mentioning that they did not perform as well as expected.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of opinions on the design and purpose of the tricycle, with no clear consensus on the effectiveness of its mechanical components or the rationale behind its use. Multiple competing views remain regarding the vehicle's design and functionality.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note limitations in their understanding of the mechanical design, indicating that certain assumptions about the geometry and functionality may not be fully explored.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in mechanical design, technology applications in mapping, or those curious about innovative uses of vehicles in data collection may find this discussion relevant.

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They may do that on some small streets in France, but they're not riding up and down every road in America on that thing. Especially not the highways.
 
It's to do pedestrianized areas (think Europe) and tourist spots (generally don't let people ride a Harley around the Lincoln memorial)
 
The gears look ingenious -- they are in the middle of the frame, and there must be a transmission mechanism distributing the torque to the two rear wheels. I haven't seen anything like it.
 
I just want to know I can get THAT job!
 
EnumaElish said:
The gears look ingenious -- they are in the middle of the frame, and there must be a transmission mechanism distributing the torque to the two rear wheels. I haven't seen anything like it.
It's a regular mountain bike with the rear wheel removed from the spindle, then a single speed chain from the existing back wheel spindle to a sprocket on a fixed axle between the trailer wheels.
Presumably it's to give more space behind the rider for the camera than a regular trike.
But I don't know why they wouldn't just use a regular bike trailer.

I built a system once for ground radar that used a standard kiddie trailer stuffed with a couple of batteries and a laptop.
 
EnumaElish said:
The gears look ingenious -- they are in the middle of the frame, and there must be a transmission mechanism distributing the torque to the two rear wheels. I haven't seen anything like it.

The bike runs on gasoline, the peddling powers the camera.
 
Pretty cool. Looks weighty though.

The bike doesn't appear to run on gasoline. I can see a pulley in there I think.
Would love that job. People would notice you :)
 
mgb_phys said:
It's a regular mountain bike with the rear wheel removed from the spindle, then a single speed chain from the existing back wheel spindle to a sprocket on a fixed axle between the trailer wheels.

There is nothing behind the seat tube that is "regular" for a mountain bike. There are no chain-stays coming from the bottom bracket, just a single tube. Same for the seat-stays. And the angle made by would-be-seat-stays suggest a real wheel placement that would be more than a foot too far back.

This might be the geometry of a modified tandem MTB, but I'm pretty sure it is a geometry invented specifically for this purpose.
 
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  • #10
elephunk said:
Would love that job. People would notice you :)
"I can put you in a Google map" ;-)
 
  • #11
One time I saw a google car driving through my neighbourhood. It was pretty cool with this contraption on it's roof. When I told my friends about this they told me that I should have just kept walking beside it LOL that way I'd be everywhere on our block.
 
  • #12
I can't wait till google starts with the live audio recordings from every street view thing. We can just have google cars on patrol of every town in america so we can stream the sounds of birds chirping from joe does house.
 
  • #13
I see a suite of SICK laser scanners below the optical cameras. I wonder what Google is doing with that range data. It is not made directly available on StreetView.
 
  • #14
I'm going to start my own internet company so I can drive around town with cameras on my roof top. It'll be called Boogle and I'll just devote it to beer and women.
 
  • #15
Chi Meson said:
There is nothing behind the seat tube that is "regular" for a mountain bike. .
That's true hadn't looked clearly.

I see a suite of SICK laser scanners below the optical cameras.
Some inside info, they didn't work as well as Google hoped.
 

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