Amazing views of the iconic river Thames have been recently added to Google’s Street View. The search engine giant, in collaboration with the Port of London Authority, captured 360 degree views of the river by mounting cameras on Yantlet – the PLA’s hydrographic surveying vessel.
Google’s portable 4ft, 18kg (40lbs) backpack fitted with a 15-angle lens trekker camera was used to capture 360-degree pictures from Woolwich to Richmond over 30 miles of the Thames.
This is for the first time that a river has been added in the search giant’s ‘special projects’ line along with Scott’s hut, the Grand Canyon and the penguins of the Antarctic. London’s canals will also be added to the list soon.
The PLA’s port hydrographer, John Pinder, said that this initiative by Google will help boost tourism in the region by allowing potential visitors to browse the capital from the river. “It’s great that people across the world will now be able to take a virtual journey down the Thames, enjoying a unique perspective of London”.
“The River Thames now has a place alongside some of the world’s most famous locations on Street View and we’re proud it is the first river in Europe to be mapped using the technology” he added notes Evening Standard.
“The river offers some of the most scenic and iconic views of London from arguably the best vantage points the city has to offer, and we are thrilled to be able to work with the PLA to share this with users from around the world through Street View”, said Ed Parsons from Google.