Why doesn't google place street view cameras on USPS trucks? They literally drive by almost every house in america every day. This would give them daily updated street views.
Ask HN: Google Street View USPS
1–5 of 5 posts
Re: Ask HN: Google Street View USPS
#2I always assumed they had to drive street view vehicles at a specific speed to get good series of images.
Re: Ask HN: Google Street View USPS
#3There isn't a ton of value add in having daily updates to street views (things don't change that frequently), but there would be a huge increase in expense. I don't know the exact number of google street view cars, but there are way, way, way fewer than there are USPS trucks. Outfitting lots of USPS would add a ton of expense to the equation.
As a side note, I am curious what fraction of houses they actually drive by each day. In many residential areas it seems common for drivers to park the delivery car while they walk around the block with the mail. Still, it seems clear the coverage is pretty substantial.
Edit: this post indicates an October 2012 number of around 250 cars, just to give a sense of scale.
Re: Ask HN: Google Street View USPS
#4In addition to the fact that like smeyer mentioned that many USPS vehicles just stop and deliver through an area, or only go to community boxes now, using USPS vechicles would likely come with significant legal issues. The USPS is (in part) funded by the US Govt, it is essentially a government owned and operated division. So if you start jamming 65MP camera's with highly accurate GPS and inertia sensors etc on them may cause peoples heads to explode with conspiracy theories.
I would see a more likely partnership being the trucking/shipping industry (like FedEx/UPS etc). While the technology would have to change some to get the right angles etc, it would seem like an easy way to cover significant territory. But then again, it wouldn't be contiguous areas at the same time so they would likely have to mash old and new images at a much more frequent pace which may not provide as good a consumer experience.
Re: Ask HN: Google Street View USPS
#5Yeah it may make more sense to go private with fedex etc. but the USPS is always hurting for money too :). I can't think of another industry besides parcel delivery that covers the area as often.