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Mysterious Apple Van Captured on Video in Palo Alto Residential Neighborhood
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+1 - I too think this is for a flyover version of street view. Airplanes get the top down data pretty well but they need to augment that data with the street level details. In the end if fused properly this data could be incredibly precise and realistic. Imagine pinch to zoom from above california and just keep zooming in until you are looking at the place as though you are standing right in front of it, all texture mapped 3d.
Or it could be a Samsung copy of Apple's van. For all we know, the van in the video isn't Apple's, and Samsung thought to copy it since the first article about it was published. Knowing Samsung, they'd copy it without knowledge of what Apple is actually using it for
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CarSo in addition to "flyover", we'll get "drivearound"?
Seriously, that's the most logical thing so far and I'm looking forward to see the end result.
For the reason you listed: many many companies have already done this - coupled with the fact that it is an ENORMOUS undertaking, and Google already has a version available to the public. It just seems like a waste of money.
Maybe if they have some plan to implement the pictures/3D mapping into something much larger I could understand it. But it seems like there has to be a better way to get "street view" than to try build it from the ground up when the competition is miles ahead
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I don't think so, I was looking for that as well. But you can see him with his hands on the wheel even as he drives off on the straight road.
It's only unclear during the first pass towards the u-turn, but because the driver is so close to the window his hands could be at the bottom of the wheel (I'd also drive like that on the straight).
But it doesn't say much, even if Apple is testing a self-driving car the driver should still be able to take over at a moment's notice. Since they'd be personally liable for any accident.
For the reason you listed: many many companies have already done this - coupled with the fact that it is an ENORMOUS undertaking, and Google already has a version available to the public. It just seems like a waste of money.
Maybe if they have some plan to implement the pictures/3D mapping into something much larger I could understand it. But it seems like there has to be a better way to get "street view" than to try build it from the ground up when the competition is miles ahead
This is silly. It's like saying Apple would not make a smartphone because Blackberry is way far ahead. The data might exist, but if it doesnt belong to Apple, it does them no good.
Know one would know what these vans are for just filling in no news again. I myself are getting sick of these rumour sites and gong to stop looking at them and delete. iMore is the only site which gets my vote.
But why would Apple drive Dodge? Nobody likes Dodge.
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+1 for the great picture. That's a lot more detailed than what the video showed. All that strange equipment on it makes me curious.
Fight the Google Street View
It would appear to me that the higher mast-mounted cameras on the Google vehicles would be more effective from a higher vantage point. It allows a further view and down angle and the view clears more of the road with the camera being higher than most vehicles. Of course, I'm not passing judgment until I see how good the Apple Street View might be. I'm just thinking, the less obstructions to block the view the better the experience would be. I'm sure Apple must know what it's doing and these could simply be prototype vehicles and eventually Apple will refine the process if it doesn't turn out as well as they expected. I'm really hoping for a good Apple Street View which is my one of my most favorite features in Google Maps. The next best feature is Google mapping bicycle routes (Greenway System) which I definitely get a lot of use out of.
It would appear to me that the higher mast-mounted cameras on the Google vehicles would be more effective from a higher vantage point. It allows a further view and down angle and the view clears more of the road with the camera being higher than most vehicles. Of course, I'm not passing judgment until I see how good the Apple Street View might be. I'm just thinking, the less obstructions to block the view the better the experience would be. I'm sure Apple must know what it's doing and these could simply be prototype vehicles and eventually Apple will refine the process if it doesn't turn out as well as they expected. I'm really hoping for a good Apple Street View which is my one of my most favorite features in Google Maps. The next best feature is Google mapping bicycle routes (Greenway System) which I definitely get a lot of use out of.
Not trying to claim Apple couldn't do it, just that there might be an easier way to obtain the data. Developing a system to collect it, mount it, hire people to drive, etc., etc., and so on. When it's been done before just seems overly complex. I have no doubt they could do it.
Probably street view. They don't want too much traffic on street view.
It would be nice to have "video" street view. Not just photos like Google. For example where you can actually "drive" without having to go photo by photo.
Whatever I am selling GOOG and buying AAPL on first minute market open.
That's true, but if in fact they are building 3D models a la flyover, then that data wouldn't be available. So that would explain why they're getting their own data.
These embedded videos don't play for me via iPhone 6... Not just this one but any one embedded in macrumors...