{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1596305"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1596305/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2021MY5241/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2021MY5241/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2021MY5241","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1596305","accessionNumber":"CD.19-2026","objectType":"Backpack","titles":[{"title":"Trekker Backpack","type":""}],"summaryDescription":"The Trekker Backpack is a device used by Google to map the user’s surroundings with cameras and LiDAR scanners for Google Street View. Initially launched in 2013 and designed by Google, this version was redesigned by industrial designers Whipsaw for Google in 2018. The Trekker Backpack allows Google to capture data in areas accessible only by foot, extending Google Maps Streetview coverage from mere roads to places like the Grand Canyon and Antarctica.\n\r\nThe Backpack houses everything that is needed for Google to create imagery for Google Street View on the move: a 360-degree camera array and two LiDAR scanners, which take images as the wearer walks; geotaggers to give location data for each photo, battery packs with enough power to last a day of hiking, a computer, hard drives, and a heat sink to help keep the device cool. Noticeably lighter than the previous version’s almost 23kg, the unit weighs in at approximately 19kg. Combined with the khaki-coloured backpack straps, the Trekker is designed to be easy to carry to allow users to map terrain effectively. Google uses a technique called photogrammetry to stitch the images together to form seamless 3D maps.\n\r\nGoogle originally employed Trekkers to map terrain, before opening a volunteering program, where organisations like tourist boards and park workers could borrow a Trekker to map their local area. Now, in 2026, the program has been phased out, with users being encouraged to upload their own 360-degree images made with commercially available cameras, such as the Insta360.\n\r\nGoogle Maps was launched in 2005 as a simple wayfinding tool, with 2007 marking the debut of Street View. Street View allows travellers to view their destination before arrival, eliminating stress and streamlining journeys, as well as enabling those unable to travel to access remote destinations. In 2025, Google Maps had over 2 billion monthly users, having become a daily necessity for navigation.\n\r\nHowever, concerns have risen over the impact of Google Maps and Street View on privacy, despite the automatic blurring of faces and numberplates in Street View. When attempting to map Germany in 2010, Google received strong backlash from the citizens and government, leaving the country relatively unmapped until 2022.","physicalDescription":"A backpack with black-coloured straps and blue-coloured compartments, mounted with cameras. Designed by Whipsaw for Google, 2018.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Whipsaw Inc","id":"AUTH412252"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"x36960"},"note":""},{"name":{"text":"Google","id":"AUTH361317"},"association":{"text":"commissioner","id":"THES258415"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"plastic","id":"AAT14570"},{"text":"aluminum","id":"AAT11015"},{"text":"synthetic fabric","id":"x33026"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"ABS plactic, aluminum and textiel strapping","categories":[{"text":"Digital design","id":"THES273936"},{"text":"Urbanism","id":"THES270076"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"DAD","id":"THES260586"},"images":["2021MY5241"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"76","id":"THES49548"},"free":"","case":"PL9","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"backpack","id":"AAT194928"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"USA","id":"x29333"},"association":{"text":"designed","id":"x29338"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"2018","earliest":"2018-01-01","latest":"2018-12-31"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Google","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"25.4","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"22/03/2021","earliest":"2021-03-22","latest":"2021-03-22"},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"35.6","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"22/03/2021","earliest":"2021-03-22","latest":"2021-03-22"},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"106.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"22/03/2021","earliest":"2021-03-22","latest":"2021-03-22"},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Weight","value":"19","unit":"kg","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Google Trekker Backpack with mounted cameras, designed by Whipsaw for Google LLC, USA, in 2018.","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["CD.19-2026"],"accessionNumberNum":"19","accessionNumberPrefix":"CD","accessionYear":2026,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-08-25","recordCreationDate":"2021-03-18","availableToBook":false}}