Google Maps Street View vehicles updating metro images

If you see an economy hatchback vehicle driving by, mounted with cameras taller than the car itself and wrapped in Google Maps Street View graphics, smile. You may be on camera.

Google Maps Street View cars are currently cruising the metro collecting new and refreshed imagery for Google Maps.

The Street View vehicles collect panoramic imagery of public streets using a camera system with 15 lenses on top of it, Kelly said. After the photos have been taken, they go through computer processing, which includes face-blurring technology so that passers-by can't be identified. The processing also blurs legible license plates.

Kelly emphasized that Street View only features imagery taken on public property and that people can ask for images of their homes, cars or themselves to be further obscured in Street View by clicking on “Report a problem” on the bottom left-hand side of the Street View image in question.

Street View first became available in 2007 and is now available in 30 countries. Though Oklahoma has already been photographed and available for Street View, Kelly said the cars are redriving the state to update those street-level views.

“Some of the practical uses we've heard about from enthusiastic users include using it to find the best viewing spot for a marathon or parade, to find the restaurant where you're meeting friends, to check out a hotel or holiday home before you book, or just to explore different travel destinations around the world,” Kelly said.

The drivers are hired on a short-term basis and they are “folks who are familiar with the local roads,” Kelly said.