Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

How to build a fake Google Street View car

fffff.at

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 41 posts

Re: How to build a fake Google Street View car

#11

Post by rejschaap »

mschuster91 wrote: post #9
fightlikeacow wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If that were the case, how would people ever transport anything on a roof rack? That is effectively all the project is doing (somewhat pointlessly in my opinion, but each to their own). That's not to say that they won't get stopped for some kind of lack of photography permit, but not for any of the reasons you have outlined.

Ever noticed the "Ex" in a circle mark on any car component, x being a number? This is a signature that this product has been tested and approved for automobile usage. If your selfmade product does not have this (of course it doesn't), then you need to go to a local TÜV agency in Germany and let them have a look over it. If it's ok you'll get a permit for it. Else, it's illegal to drive with your construction on the…

The car component needs to be approved, the cargo does not. The bike rack needs to be approved, the bike does not. GP is trying to pass this contraption as cargo, though I doubt it would be accepted as such.

Re: How to build a fake Google Street View car

#12

Post by mschuster91 »

rejschaap wrote: post #11
mschuster91 wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ever noticed the "Ex" in a circle mark on any car component, x being a number? This is a signature that this product has been tested and approved for automobile usage. If your selfmade product does not have this (of course it doesn't), then you need to go to a local TÜV agency in Germany and let them have a look over it. If it's ok you'll get a permit for it. Else, it's illegal to drive with your construction on the…

The car component needs to be approved, the cargo does not. The bike rack needs to be approved, the bike does not. GP is trying to pass this contraption as cargo, though I doubt it would be accepted as such.

Yep. I learned the hard way :/

Re: How to build a fake Google Street View car

#13

Post by arethuza »

leoedin wrote: post #3
mschuster91 wrote: post #2

These guys are fucking crazy. In the entire European Union, this WILL get the driver and likely anyone involved with this behind jail for driving a vehicle not licensed for street usage! Basically, you alter the car with not-licensed-for-street-usage components (these self-made things e.g. alter the ride height of your car from the one spec'd in the vehicle ID card), which in itself invalidates the car's insurance (i…

Mounting something on the roof rack doesn't count as modifying in that way. If that was true, bicycle racks would be illegal. I can't speak for the entirety of the EU, but I know for a fact that in the UK mounting something like this (assuming it's securely attached) is not illegal.

According to the AA the rule in the UK is as simple as "you must secure your load and it must not stick out dangerously".

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/loading-your-car-safely...

Re: How to build a fake Google Street View car

#14

Post by unwind »

fightlikeacow wrote: post #6
mschuster91 wrote: post #2

These guys are fucking crazy. In the entire European Union, this WILL get the driver and likely anyone involved with this behind jail for driving a vehicle not licensed for street usage! Basically, you alter the car with not-licensed-for-street-usage components (these self-made things e.g. alter the ride height of your car from the one spec'd in the vehicle ID card), which in itself invalidates the car's insurance (i…

If that were the case, how would people ever transport anything on a roof rack? That is effectively all the project is doing (somewhat pointlessly in my opinion, but each to their own). That's not to say that they won't get stopped for some kind of lack of photography permit, but not for any of the reasons you have outlined.

The fake camera rig is mounted using bolts in holes drilled in the (rented) car's roof rack. That's not how you typically mount stuff to a roof rack, perhaps it can make it more "part of the vehicle" than "cargo" in the eyes of the law; I don't know.

I failed to see the point of the project altogether, and found it rather rude to drill in rented equipment, too. I'm sensitive like that.

Re: How to build a fake Google Street View car

#15

Post by Alexx »

mschuster91 wrote: post #2

These guys are fucking crazy. In the entire European Union, this WILL get the driver and likely anyone involved with this behind jail for driving a vehicle not licensed for street usage! Basically, you alter the car with not-licensed-for-street-usage components (these self-made things e.g. alter the ride height of your car from the one spec'd in the vehicle ID card), which in itself invalidates the car's insurance (i…

This is just misleading.

You do not go to jail in the EU for adding under-floor lighting to your car, nor fitting a roof rack, or any other such additional fittings. A car must pass it's MOT and have valid insurance, that is all. MOT requirements differ from country to county, and all insurers are different. If it fails and you keep driving it then you'll end up with a fine.

Re: How to build a fake Google Street View car

#16

Post by Andrenid »

lvturner wrote: post #10

A standard answer to "why?" is "why not?", or "because we can" but I really can't see any benefit to this? Is cosplay a thing for cars now?

The aim might be to get Google in trouble there in Germany, since Streetview wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms?

Re: How to build a fake Google Street View car

#17

Post by fightlikeacow »

mschuster91 wrote: post #9
fightlikeacow wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If that were the case, how would people ever transport anything on a roof rack? That is effectively all the project is doing (somewhat pointlessly in my opinion, but each to their own). That's not to say that they won't get stopped for some kind of lack of photography permit, but not for any of the reasons you have outlined.

Ever noticed the "Ex" in a circle mark on any car component, x being a number? This is a signature that this product has been tested and approved for automobile usage. If your selfmade product does not have this (of course it doesn't), then you need to go to a local TÜV agency in Germany and let them have a look over it. If it's ok you'll get a permit for it. Else, it's illegal to drive with your construction on the…

That may be the case in Germany, but in the UK, unless something is obviously unsafe, I don't think this would be the case. For reference, a certain culture of ridiculous body kits and spoilers would be in a lot more trouble, as I'm pretty sure that most of them do not undergo any testing, and that doesn't account for "home-made" versions.

Re: How to build a fake Google Street View car

#18

Post by andor »

mschuster91 wrote: post #4
leoedin wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mounting something on the roof rack doesn't count as modifying in that way. If that was true, bicycle racks would be illegal. I can't speak for the entirety of the EU, but I know for a fact that in the UK mounting something like this (assuming it's securely attached) is not illegal.

I got fucked up by the cops in Germany for putting a not-checked-by-TÜV selfmade wood casing upon the top of my car. These guys did this in Berlin... man, they're LUCKY to having gotten out without any consequences.

Was there a Google logo on the side of your car?

Re: How to build a fake Google Street View car

#19

Post by andor »

Andrenid wrote: post #16
lvturner wrote: post #10

A standard answer to "why?" is "why not?", or "because we can" but I really can't see any benefit to this? Is cosplay a thing for cars now?

The aim might be to get Google in trouble there in Germany, since Streetview wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms?

Oh come on. It's an art project. They want to see how people react to Street View cars in various situations.
Post reply on HN