After the post on Google Trike the other day, I received a media release on a new initiative by Google and Singapore Tourism Board on the Google Trike. They are opening up to ideas on where the Trike will visit and YOU are the ones that can suggest the location to them. Media Release after the break.
Trike With A View
Google & Singapore Tourism Board ask the public to suggest and vote on the best spots for the Street View trike to visit in Singapore
Singapore, September 29, 2009 – It’s been almost a year since Google brought the Street View car to Singapore to take photos along public roads, eventually to provide panoramic street-level images of Singapore in Google Maps. We’re announcing today that the latest Street View invention, the trike, has arrived in Singapore to gather even more images of public areas and national tourist treasures where the car couldn’t drive through, like trendy Haji Lane or the pedestrian-only areas of Chinatown or Merlion Park next to the Esplanade.
The trike has the same capability as the Street View car and is designed to help Google collect street-level imagery in places less accessible by cars. This mechanical masterpiece comprises 3 bicycle wheels, a mounted Street View camera and a specially decorated box containing image-collecting gadgetry. It also comes with a very athletic cyclist in customised Google helmet and clothing. Images collected by the trike will be processed and carefully stitched together, a technological process that can take several months. As with all Street View imagery, Google will blur faces and license plates to protect people’s privacy.
Today we are also unveiling an online poll where Singaporeans can suggest where they would like the trike to go during its stay here. Google has teamed up with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), with their expert knowledge of Singapore’s tourist treasures, to come up with five categories under which people can submit their ideas. The categories are: The City, Cultural Areas, Natural Wonders, The River & Quays and a special category called Hidden Gems for any other unique locations that don’t fit into the other categories (go on, surprise us!). The public can submit their ideas via an online form at www.google.com.sg/svtrike until 11:59pm on October 12, 2009.
Google will then work with STB to identify the most original, interesting ideas from each category. The public will then be able to cast their votes to choose the top locations the trike will visit in Singapore. As Google only collects images from public roads, we’ll work closely with STB and relevant organisations to collect images of privately-owned locations.
“We are happy to work with Google to showcase Singapore to millions of people all over the world through Google Maps. The new trike will help us feature even more of Singapore’s culture, attractions and charming landmarks which make it such a unique and compelling destination,” said Mr Chang Chee Pey, Director, Brand Management, STB. “We look forward to receiving great ideas from the public on what areas the trike should cover. By featuring Singaporeans’ suggestions of their favourite parts of our island, viewers from around the world will be able to discover the best of Singapore through local eyes.”
“We’re working really hard to get Street View up for Singapore and the trike is an excellent way to add even more amazing imagery to showcase Singapore’s history and culture,” said Derek Callow, Head of Marketing, Google Southeast Asia. “We want the public’s ideas to be really fun and creative – like getting the trike on to the Singapore Flyer, riding through the Botanic Gardens during an open-air jazz festival or even staying long enough to visit the completed Integrated Resorts in early 2010.”
About the Singapore Tourism Board
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is a leading economic development agency in tourism, one of Singapore’s key service sectors. Known for partnership, innovation and excellence, the mission of the Board is to champion tourism and build it into a key economic driver for Singapore. STB aims to differentiate and market Singapore as a must-visit destination offering enriching experiences through the “Uniquely Singapore” brand. For more information, please visit www.stb.gov.sg.
About Google Inc. Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.google.com.sg.
Google, Google Maps and Street View are the trademarks of Google Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.
[ad#boxlist]