[UPDATED] Hello everyone, I drive the Google StreetView Car. IAMA and I'll even tell you about the new recent update and underwaterview.

Any idea how long it takes data taken by your car to make it to google maps? I waved at a car and i have been waiting for it to update to my beautiful face.

Usually 6 months after I upload it.

It goes to us qc at randstad so we can license plate and face blur after

Indeed.

Is there a speed limit you have to stick by to make sure the pictures are fine or can you drive 100mph and the pictures still will be ok?

All legal speed limits are observed at all times.

Most freeways have 75mph speed limits. Do the cameras work when you're going that fast, or do you have to go slower?

EDIT: for everybody asking where I got 75mph, here's what Wikipedia says

The highest speed limits are generally 75 mph (121 km/h) in western states and 70 mph (113 km/h) in eastern states. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States

They work, but on freeways we will usually stick to 60.

How are the camera set to trigger?

Are they set up to precisely track distance and capture an image at distance intervals? Or do they take constant photos and then a computer takes them, reconciles the time/distance, and then decides which sets to use later?

If there's problems, do you guys go back and do "reshoots"?

Unrelated question: Do you guys plan for weather/time at all? Is there a target atmosphere you guys try to schedule around? Or do any days work as long as there's enough light and it's safe to drive?

2nd way you mentioned. It's all automatic.

We do reshoots, usually in the same day.

We don't usually record in the rain or high winds.

Hey dude!! Google Independent Photographer here, I take the pics (virtuals tours) inside businesses and post them on Google!!! Thanks for street view, the other day I connected a nod from street view to the inside of a pretty popular bar. high fives

Noice! I hate removing them from the mounts, it gets tedious after a while. Plus cleaning all of the sensors are tricky!

How much do you get paid? When's the last time you called your mother?

Not much, around $30K or so now. It also depends on mileage as well.

Hmm..maybe like a week ago.

Thanks for the answers... It's time to call your mom again

Probably so. I'll let her know you told me to.

Don't call your mother, and don't tell her I told you not to call her.

Wait...which is it? In order to tell or not tell her something I would have to call her.

how are you paid exactly? you mention mileage, is it time & mileage? salary & mileage?

It's not really a salary. Give or take 30K, which encompasses a certain amount of mileage. Then after I hit that mileage, think of it like overtime pay, where I get paid more per mile.

So basically, if you speed you get more money? I want your job. :-)

Well it is all GPS monitored. So I would lose my job if I sped.

Whats the funniest thing you've seen when driving?

Just people trying to be stupid for the camera.

What is an example of people being stupid for the camera?

Mooning, pretending to fight each other, make duck faces, give the peace sign.

Yes, and what about the houses besides mine?

I'm sorry, I don't understand the question.

Do you get bored driving around all day?

Do you have an iPhone, and if so, do you use Apple's Maps?

I do have an iPhone, but I have 5.1.1. I won't use 6. But also I have a computer in the car with a built-in GPS.

Why an iPhone and not an Android?

Edit: I was only asking because he works for Google. Calm down people. If he worked for Ford and drove a Toyota, people would ask why. Heck, I talked to someone who used to work for Coke and they wouldn't let them drink Pepsi.

So I asked. Sorry.

Edit 2: I did not realize that was an independent contractor when I asked. And based on some of your experiences with soft drink companies, that doesn't always matter. Although changing out a drink is much cheaper than your phone, of course.

Personal preference. Not going to go into that whole debate.

What kind of GPS system does the computer have? Something custom from google?

Google Maps lol.

How much genetalia do you see during the average work day.

On the internet or while driving ;)

[deleted]

GOOGLE DRIVE!

Whooooosh

Both.

Combined about 3-4 persons worth. While driving, usually none.

What happens when you stop at a rest stop? Any awkward encounters?

Oh yeah. People ask me to take their picture WITH the car, standing next to the car with their camera, etc... If I'm tired, I just ignore them. If they keep insisting, I'll usually pretend I'm going to take their picture and like do a selfie and just away.

do a selfie

there's a masturbation joke in here somewhere

Everyday life is a masturbation joke.

have you ever seen any illicit activities being commited while driving?

Not really paying too much attention to the side of the road. I guess once in a while I'll catch like a drug deal in a bad area.

Ever been scared in some of the bad areas? What is the scariest or weirdest area you've been to?

I've been all over NYC. Some areas I just skipped entirely. But Harlem was pretty bad, I had people throwing stuff at te car trying to hit the cameras.

I'd be careful..as a former Detroiter, here's an idea of what you can expect if/when you go through there.

Been to Detroit on unrelated travel. Never going back.

How often does StreetView update in certain areas? The longest delay between StreetView updates? My town hasn't been updated since 2008. The data says "Copyright 2012 Google", but the same car from the previous owner has been parked in my driveway before I moved in.

The copyright usually would display the current year. As for updating, it all depends on how often that area is used with StreetView.

Does that mean if someone's address was 'streetviewed' extensively, they would re-image it?

It would have to be viewed by several thousands of people before it really gets labeled as a point of interest.

Reddit, we have our next pointless mission.

Do it!

Any suggestions people?

Pick an address and just have people keep using StreetView in that area.

Thanks for doing an other one, as I had missed it and all, sorry.

Do you have a GPS with a pre-planned route that you follow? Or is it more willy-nilly?

I get points A and B, as well as any major points of interest along the way. For the most part, the planning is up to us. Obviously we don't do like random side streets, we usually just have a quota of data to cache. The route is up to us.

I would have thought this would be carefully planned and heavily optimised...

The starting and ending points are, and take into account the area and where they think I'll be going.

well yeah, but I thought the whole thing would be carefully mapped out, to hit the important areas and maximise 'importance' of areas, all while reducing backtracking etc

Indeed. That is part of our job, mapping the routes. Plenty of info is provided to help us.

Who does the random streets?

Well we have quotas to meet. If we need some extra data, we will hit some side streets to meet the quota.

Do you and the sea lion who drives the apple maps car ever have standoffs at red lights?

I always conceal carry just for that reason. Ever see a UPS and FedEx driver go at it? Yeah..grandma won't be getting get vase in one piece this year.

1) How much do you make a year?

2) How do I get a job like this?

3) What are your breaks like?

4) How much do you tip at a sit down restaurant?

5) What is the craziest thing someone got fired for?

6) Have you met any girls/guys while on duty?

7) What do you wish the general public understood about your job?

8) Do you ever get people begging you to retake the picture?

9) Craziest thing you have witnessed from the car?

10) What is the best feature with the new update?

Thank You and Good Luck!!!

1. Around $30K

2. You can't really. They don't advertise it as a google driving job, just as a temp driving job. It's random.

3. Usually get to eat or I'll go to a local store to see what the town is like. I never go to chain-anything. I find beauty in mom and pop shops.

4. I try to tip 20%. Only if it's like a cafe would I tip less.

5. Wouldn't know, drivers really don't know each other.

6. Yeah, but nothing serious.

7. I have to do my best to avoid getting you in the shot. Please don't stand in the middle of the road waiting for me to get you on camera.

8. Yes. I never do.

9. Nothing super crazy, just like a drug deal or two. I've seen a meteor shower though, that was fun and would have been on StreetView if it was daytime.

10. Much better detail with new cameras, new insides for businesses, and underwater view.

"Usually get to eat or I'll go to a local store to see what the town is like. I never go to chain-anything. I find beauty in mom and pop shops."

you're awesome for this!

Thanks! I actually have albums from each town and the places I go. I'll have to review them to make sure I'm not directly in them, but I'll share them.

Favorite driving music? Favorite podcast? Who pays for the gas? Do you stay in hotels?

Ever use your cool street view car to pick up chicks?

1. Usually depends on my mood. Mostly rock, like ACDC, but I do enjoy stuff like OAR and Dave Matthews.

2. Podcasts would be most of How Stuff Works podcasts like Stuff You Should Know, some NPR stuff.

3. They pay for gas.

4. Sometimes yes. All paid for.

5. Nope, I wish.

I want this job.

I wish the other drivers saw this and realized their job is actually pretty fun. Lighten up and enjoy the drive!

What do you do to kill time ?

Usually take a hammer to its knees first.

But actually I usually read various car websites, browse a little Reddit and Twitter, and listen to music.

So what kind of vehicle do you drive or does it change sometimes

I had a Nissan van, now it's the Impreza.

My car transformed too, but I started with a Volkswagen Jetta and all I got in return was a shitty Citation.

Someone turned my Ovaltine into Yoohoo, we're all pissed man!

I've read that some street view drivers are jerks. I heard one got mad when someone tried to take their picture. You don't sound that way. Are you new or is there a reason we don't understand the pissyness?

I'm pretty tame, I enjoy the job. It's money, I'd work at McDonalds if I needed money. I guess I'm humble about it, idk. But if you piss me off I do get angry as it makes my job harder. Most drivers are from temp jobs, and are just douches to begin with.

I saw a Google StreetView car the other week in southwest Washington. I waved, the driver did not wave back. I felt rejected.

Indeed kind sir. Most are out to earn a quick buck and really don't understand how many would kill for their job.

Hello GoogleDriver419, you are aware that there was a google employee not too long ago who was fired for posting about google in his AMA right after he was hired? Just checking to make sure this is all...Ok with google that you're posting.

Also I saw one of the self driving cars in San Jose last weekend. I want one.

He was fired for being an idiot and posting things he shouldn't have. I am not directly hired by Google nor have I said anything I shouldn't. Freedom of speech!

?How many cameras does the system use?

?What happens if one of them malfunctions/breaks while your on the road?

1. Not exactly sure, I'm just the Ryan Gossling of Google, not the Grant Imahara.

2. It does happen. For the most part, we are never too far from an office where they have spares. Otherwise they send someone out to fix it. We do stop filming for the day. But I think it only happened once that I know of and not to me.

Upvoted for Mythbusters reference.

Upvoted for your understanding of my reference.

Upvote for replying.

He got his feels in for the day.

Upvote....for upvoting..? I give up.

i thought u were referring to the driverless cars.

I am a driverless car with advanced human-like AI. PRAISE SKYNET!

Does Google keep a backup archive of all the old streeview images? I think it would be cool for people to be able to eventually access those older streetview images and look at how things were 10, 20, or 30 years in the past.

Well it is still a new system. But yes they will be archived. Google Maps is archived back to the 90's.

Was this you this morning in Queens, NY? http://imgur.com/vObbh

Nope. I haven't been in NYC for a month.

You mentioned you had an opportunity to work with the underwater photography, is that a position that requires any previous experience?

Well I wouldn't be doing any of the difficult jobs, just like doing manual labor plus setting up equipment. I know the hardware but not software. That's for actual Google employees.

Unrelated-what does 419 mean in your username?

Ah you are the first person to ask me this. It is related to my actual job I have. But it would give away too much info if I said more.

How did the idea for underwater view come about?

I'm kind of hoping that one of those automated cars went berserk and drove into a lake, and the camera kept snapping pics for a while after and you guys just decided to roll with it from there.

The rumor is that a Google employee did underwater photography and compiled an album similar to what is found in StreetView. The execs liked it and wanted it to happen.

Worst neighborhood you've been through?

Harlem. It doesn't get a bad rep for no reason.

what was the best?

Lots. I enjoy port cities like Baltimore and Boston. I was vacationing in Baltimore, didn't drive there.

Do you ever bring people, family, friends, etc. to keep you company?

Bonus question: Squirtle or Charizard

Not allowed to bring others with me. But that's why I have Skype. If my dog knew how to type above 40 WPM, we could actually be the true best fried couple everyone describes.

Charizard.....yup Ill take him from another game and use him at the beginning. Sure, at first the playa may be givin' me disrespect. I'll kill a couple of gym leaders, own their little villages, then Charizard WILL obey me.

On average, how long is your workday? Also, what time of day does your work take place?

The day lasts as long as it has to, meaning if I get all of the data needed for the day, I'm done. If there's traffic or a guy messing around, the day will take much longer. Usually I try to stay away from rush hour traffic and just work nonstop in between everyone else's workday. Less people on the streets, less cars, much easier.

Were you in Bucks/Montgomery County PA about two weeks ago?

I might have been, might need some money to refresh my memory ;)

How do they pick which roads to photograph? Obviously some roads are more important than others, but sometimes you see obscure backroads photographed..

I ask partially because my road has yet to be photographed for street view :/ lol

It can be directly related to the traffic in that area, or if large changes occur to the area. Other times, just random luck. We get a starting and finishing point, as well as key points. The rest is up to us where to drive to meet the requirements.