Driving for Google
Is driving for Google a career you would like to pursue? Google street view is a virtual representation of our surroundings on Google Maps. The images on street view come from contributors or Google itself. How on Earth (literally), does Google manage to capture all these images? Well, they have drivers driving a car called a Street View car. These cars are equipped with special cameras. The cameras take photos of public streets while driving. These images are then processed and uploaded to Google Maps.
If you enjoy spending time in your car and visiting new places, this could be the job for you. However, to get a job as a google driver is harder than you think.
How do you get hired to be the driver of a Google street view car?
Street view driver, also known as GeoImmersive Data Producer, positions are not easy to come by though. Even if you do a search on Google Jobs, it will be hard to find these positions. In most instances, it’s not a permanent job either. From what we’ve gathered, Google works with partners who provide drivers on a contract basis. According to some sources, they are paid by miles covered. As a Google driver, you will be allocated an area and once your area is complete the contract is over.
It won’t make sense for Google to hire a single driver to cover the whole Country. That is why they hire local drivers to cover their neighborhood, local streets, and city. Take a look here at the list of neighborhoods where Google is driving or trekking next. According to a source who has been verified as a Google driver, he found the job listed as a temp-job from a company called Immersive Media. The basic requirements for the job are to be over 21 and have a clean driving record. New driving recruits then have to attend classroom training and undergo a pre-employment drug test.
Some questions answered about driving for Google
Google drivers have to sign an NDA (Non-disclosure agreement) so getting information from current or former employees is difficult. A Redditor did an AMA where he claims that he worked as a Google driver and had this to say:
What is your favorite part of the job, aside from knowing millions will take virtual trips of what you photograph?
I just love driving. Gridlock, open roads, highways. I have a destination, but there is never really any stress involved. It is just fun. Of course, it is a lot of hard work and the pay isn’t all that great.
How many miles do you expect to cover?
Well, so far I have about 2,100.
Are you in the Subaru?
I’m not in a Subaru.
Approximately how much do you get paid?
I don’t get paid too much, you can Google how much I get paid.
How does the device work? Are you supposed to stop ‘filming’ under any circumstances?
The device basically just captures images every 2 seconds, unless you are moving faster. That’s all I know really. It uses a lot of data. The only time we stop filming is if we drive by an accident on the road or otherwise told to by our supervisor. If we have to change SSD, we pull over.
How many ‘run-throughs’ do you have to do? Is one-take typically enough?
The same person never drives the same route again. Sometimes the area can be updated every 6 months-1 year if needed. But I haven’t seen that occur really.
How often do people try to pose for photos?
Most don’t expect us to come, and when they do, they get that “deer in the headlights” look. And before you know it, we are gone.
How much data does a google car record in a day
Usually, 1 TB a day, give or take.
Do you upload that data in real-time?
Nope, SSD. There is a remote backup that does transmit real-time GPS status.
Also, why does it take so long for an area to get updated in Google Maps?
Not sure, I just drive. After I send it, I don’t know what happens to it.
How many hours a day did you spend driving around? Were you paid hourly? Daily? Weekly? Per mile? Is it really as easy as it sounds? Sound to me like you just drive around all day doing nothing more than chilling and following different roads that showed up on the screen.
Full-time job, 40 hrs a week. Paid hourly. They were flexible enough so that if you wanted to work 10 hr days you could be done in 4 days. If it rained you had to stop and cover the camera and wait for it to pass, drive somewhere it wasn’t raining, or, if it was late enough, give up and go home.
It truly was the best job ever. I would get to drive around listening to my mp3 player with the AC absolutely blasting in the late summer heat. If it rained I could stop and watch a movie on my laptop. Smoking was discouraged, but you can take a break at any time.
How did you get the job?
I found it listed as a temp-job from this company called Immersive Media. My friend knew the woman in charge of the temp-jobs and I managed to get the job.
How can you get the job?
Be over 21, have a CLEAN driving record. Go through some boring class. They did a drug test before I started. That’s it.
Do you drive just weekdays or weekends also?
Usually, just weekdays depends where I am.
What do you hate about your job the most?
Hate? Just kinda the same thing every day. I love the roads, but don’t like the technical work.
What do you love about your job the most?
I love driving.
Do you stop at every street and intersection so pictures can be taken, or is it done in a moving car?
No, all in motion.
What speed limits do you have?
Normal speed limits on the roads, but we go slower if traffic allows.
If, god forbid, you ever are in an accident, will Google hold you responsible? If yes, what actions can they take?
Cannot say.
Conclusion
According to Ed Parsons, a Geospatial Technologist at Google UK, Google drivers are contractors and not employed directly by Google. When Google Street Views first started out they used a company called Immersive Media. This company specializes in 360-degree videos and imagery. The company is still used by Google.
Your best chance is to search for these jobs at Immersive Media, or find similar companies. Another great place to start is at freerecruit.co.za, where you can find all Google Jobs available. Sometimes you may see a job ad on this site looking for local drivers.
As a driver, you can also Register your CV free. By doing so, if any company is looking for drivers they can find you and contact you directly.
If you are a recruiter or a company looking to fill a position, you may post jobs for free on our free online job posting site.
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