| A hi-tech, car-mounted camera operated by the Internet search engine was spotted in the Mid Craigie area of the city by an eagle-eyed Tele photographer.
Google has since confirmed the car belonged to a member of its staff capturing images for the company’s forthcoming Street View service.
The tool, which matches real world photos to mapped locations, already exists in the USA, where it enables users to view and navigate within 360-degree street level imagery of various cities directly in Google Maps.
After a trial run across the Tour De France route earlier this year, the firm now hopes to roll the service out across Europe.
A spokesperson for Google told the Tele drivers had been employed to take preliminary pictures for the service.
“Yes, we're taking photographs to bring the Street View product to Europe,” she said.
“Our users have been asking for the service ever since we launched in the US and we are very excited about bringing it to Europe.
“Soon, people from all over the world will be able to explore the beautiful cities of Europe right from their desks.”
Google claims the service will be great for Scottish students, house-hunters and tourists looking to learn more about the geographical make-up of various cities and towns.
But since Street View launched in the US last year it has been mired in controversy concerning possible invasions of privacy.
Campaigners have claimed the publication of photographs identifying passers-by could potentially infringe their rights.
However, the Google spokesperson moved to calm fears the new service would risk invading Dundonians’ privacy.
“We will not launch in UK until we are comfortable Street View complies with local law, including law relating to the display of images of individuals,” she said.
“We will use technology, like face-blurring, licence plate blurring and operational controls, such as image removal tools.” |
