Video: Google Street View tricycle searches for Anita Ekberg
By Thomas Ricker 
posted May 19th 2009 4:48AM
posted May 19th 2009 4:48AM
[Via Engadget Spanish]
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that's because you can't drive in old city districts in most Europe cities
And there's a lot of pedestrian/bike only shopping streets in europe.
I wonder if they needed wider-angled lenses to capture the buildings from such narrow streets?
Europe! fuck yeah!
OMG Tricycle FTW !!!
Primo!!1ONE1!!!1
forgot to refresh the page before posting -.-''
Congratulations!!!
Even if you would of really been number one you would of still been this really great failure in life that you are, so dont worry.
Cool, I live in Amsterdam which recently got Street View and I was wondering how they made it down all of the tiny alleys!
Here's there's so many crazy bikes people probably wouldn't even think that was odd.
Yep wondered the same for Copenhagen, some places a car just wouldn't fit :P
Is it the same fountain as in The Dolce Vita? cant remember... in any case its beautiful.
Sad we dont do that kind of stuff anymore.
I was going to say - isn't that the infamous fountain within which thousands of couples have made love over the decades?
Street Level View indeed!
It's the Trevi fountain in Rome... quite famous, as fountains go!
It's said that if you throw a coin in over your shoulder, you'll return to Rome one day.
Yeah, it's the same one, the Trevi Fountain... a masterpiece...
Yes, is the fountain of Trevi, in Rome
US cinema killed italian cinema ;)
> ...It's said that if you throw a coin in over your shoulder, you'll return to Rome one day.
I did just that but have yet to return there - of all the countries I visited on a tour Italy was, by far, my favorite.
Loved the sites, the food, the people, too.
I too flipped one off over my shoulder (uh-em) and low and behold, 10 months later my gf took me on a surprise visit to Rome!
Good times :)
We broke up 3 days after we got back!
Bad times :(
My concerns...
1. That looks awfully heavy to tow around on a bicycle.
2. It looks like a mobile tornado warning tower.
3. If I were him, I wouldn't be wearing a "Google" shirt. That just screams expensive equipment that needs to be stolen.
4. How are those pictures going to look after all those crazy bumps?
Also, that biker looks as unhip as you ca get, bad for company image. :)
Google shirt prevents him from being accosted by cops and such though I would think.
3. He's probably packing a cloud-pistol and trained in hand-to-hand scuffling. I doubt any pirates would be able to ransack his shit.
He's a diversion. The real camera is being used to photograph him.
He reminded me of somebody, but took a bit time to remeber who.
Isn't he a spitting image of Elmer Fudd?
Apparently the whole rig weighs 18 stone. I'm not sure what that converts to in proper measurements.
18st = 252 lb = 114kg
It is heavy, about 200-250 pounds. If you look around you can find a blog post by some google people.
Yes it's the same, the Trevi fountain on Piazza di Trevi just off via della Stamperia in Rome. Love it.
That was meant to be directed @ Boards of Canada
I loved the Trevi when I was in Rome. Amazing - a lot of Rome is amazing. Other than those who live there's moped driving skills.
Don't worry, half the internet already replied saying the same thing
haha, this is clever... but a few concerns from me:
1. wouldn't you see the bicycle helmet this guy's wearing?
2. if this were to happen in the UK, will he be stoned like the last time villagers chased away a google car?
Any european would immediately see that must be an american, wearing a bike helmet, and not having a scooterengine on the thing while driving in italy.
They might have at least given him an electric engine because the thing looks decidedly uncomfortable to ride, and they got all the money.
Though representing an American company, he's clearly not American.
Americans haven't worn denim cargo shorts since 1997.
"Americans haven't worn denim cargo shorts since 1997."
Hahaha. You must be kidding. I know tons of Americans that do, and no offense, but most Americans I know and have seen have the worst sense for fashion in the whole world.
Well, might be true, he might be forced by google lawyers to wear the silly helmet.
@ Patriks7,
Apparently the Americans you know still dress like Brad and Randy Taylor, so your statement is just. I, living in the middle of America, am surrounded by Americans and it's a rare sight to still see denim cargo shorts, Dr Martin boots, Old Navy rugby shirts, sweater vests, JNCOs, or Big Johnson, Chump, and No Fear t-shirts.
Of course I have an extensive collection of shirt.woot shirts, so who am I to judge fashion?
They need something electric because there are many streets on hills :)
Or petrol. Europe is bigger than my living room.
Ironically I bet half the weight of the thing is batteries.
Local luddities? What locals! I get your "funny" comment, but it's still on the other side of Europe! That's like talking about "local" Mexicans when in Canada!
uh, luddite means someone who's anti-technology.
Looks like he should be selling ice cream out the back of that thing.
i bet they're having a lot of fun in hong kong right now lol good luck getting all the roads in china! navigating is going to be a beezy.
This is just for the places where cars can't go - do you really expect Google to do StreetView for China using just a bike? Actually, interesting concept, that would make a great documentary..
youtube HD, anyone?
Where do I apply? I would kill to be paid for biking around the streets of Europe.
I didn't think anyone would be embarrassed to work for Google...
It's still possible to shoot crappy video in 2009?
come on this will be just for areas where cars are not alowed.
This video reminded me of "Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode.
This can only be for places where cars are not allowed. The Google Cars have been driving around Vienna for a while. I've seen a few of them already. Engadget really needs to learn to write sometimes ...
Santa Monica Pier taken by the Trike here:
http://streetviewgallery.corank.com
What's next? Google Street View Gondola's in Venice?
Yes.
"Awww, isn't Europe quaint?"
Really Engadget? Have you guys ever been outside of your "free" America?
Looking at the cars you drive while I was in NYC a couple months ago, I have to say that you guys are more old fashioned. And don't even get me started about the fashion. Most normally dressed people were foreigners.
Is that Mike White?
Lol. Doesnt look like he enjoys his job.
I thought the first jogger was about to do something... like cover the camera lens.
Indeed heavy bike on 3 wheels. But the bike has switchable gear to make it little easier.
There are no batteries. If you look carefully at the bike, you see red thing. It's small petrol power generator from Honda. With generator, about 3 hours or so can give power to computer and heavy camera equipment. And when petrol is almost gone, just add quick new petrol, and he can ride continue.
You cannot do it with batteries.