Google Street View sets sail on the Thames

 

James Vincent
Monday 28 October 2013 07:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Google Street View is continuing it seemingly relentless documentation of some of Britain’s most iconic locations (they've already had a peek inside the Tardis and hoofed it along our canals) with a 30 mile voyage down the Thames.

It marks the first time a river in Europe has been included on Street View with the search giant teaming up with the Port of London Authority (PLA) to capture the imagery by hitching a ride on the Yantlet - the trust’s hydrographic surveying vessel.

Normally used to collect data on all sorts of river-related info (everything from shorelines to currents), the Yantlet traversed the river from Woolwich to Richmond with Google’s Trekker camera on board.

The Trekker is the most portable of Google’s Street View cameras, usually attached to a 18kg (40lbs) backpack, and just one of the team’s diverse line-up of imaging equipment, including a snowmobile (first used for the Winter Olympics in Canada), an upright trolley (used for the more sedate pace of museums and galleries), and a trike (used for parks, trails and landmarks).

Click the gallery above to see some pictures from Google Street View on the Thames

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in