Google to Map Every Room by 2012

SAN FRANCISCO- At a nondescript bungalow in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, a team of photographers has just finished their survey of 423 Laurel Street. Within a few hours, anyone with a computer will soon be able to tell just about everything about the place, from the color of the bedspread to whether or not the owners had time to do the dishes yet.

Google RoomView© is just the latest in a string of navigation and mapping applications developed by the software giant. A company spokesman estimates the interior of every house, apartment and commercial building in the continental United States will be mapped and accessible at the click of a mouse by the end of 2012.

Besides the monumental logistical issues involved in such a task, Google faced a myriad of legal and technical hurdles before finally starting the survey in early December. Now that the surveying teams are spreading across the country, they're discovering even more unforeseen challenges.

“The worst is when they want to clean up first” says Google team member Tim Hutchins. “Part of the point of the whole project is to capture the way people truly live, not an idealized version. We generally don't mind if you need a quick moment to get dressed, or to tend to a crying child, but we have a tight schedule to keep. I like to be in and out of each residence in under two minutes if possible.”

Hutchins says he's probably seen just about everything in the six weeks they've been doing the door-to-door surveying. “We once entered a room and there were two people (copulating) right there on the couch. It was shocking at first, but our training kicked in and we just remained professional. I don't even think they noticed us.”

Though some residences are harder to gain access to than others, most comply willingly. “People are taken aback by our presence when we first approach them, wanting to know why we need to photograph each and every room of their house in high resolution,” says Hutchins' teammate Stephen Brewer. “After we've explained the project to them, most are willing to allow our team in. Once they see we're just there to do a job, they want to be part of it and the operation goes pretty smoothly”.

But not all of the populace can be such a team player. Earlier that same morning, Tim said he had to resort to the blanket court order provided each mobile team. “Some old guy was refusing to let us in. When I explained what an exciting project he was missing out on, he tried to slam the door in my face!” Mr Hutchins and his two assistants are prepared for such outcomes, which he says occur more often than people would imagine.

In most cases it's enough to show a reluctant resident the court order and politely tell them they'll find everything perfectly legal. But on some occasions more drastic measures need to be taken. While technically not permitted to use force or enter against a home owner's will, the teams have a few tricks up their sleeves. One is a miniaturized flying camera developed at Google's Mountain View headquarters, in collaboration with the Department of Defense. At just under two ounces, the amazing device can be maneuvered with remote video control by a nearby technician.

“The FlyCams© are a real Godsend,” says Hutchins. Though it can be tricky to get them launched inside at times. “Sometimes we'll get lucky and a window screen is loose, but usually you have to convince someone to open the door and then flick it in. We've lost a few to angry residents swatting at them mid-flight, still it's safer than trying to sneak in yourself,” he admits. “Rumor has it they're going through 40 of the things a day down in Texas.”