You probably noticed on the streets of large cities of strange-looking cars equipped with bulky structures on the roof. These are not just experimental prototypes of drones, although technology is at the heart of one field. Most often, this is a specialized transport that collects visual data for navigation services.
Such vehicles, often referred to as “panoramas” or “tenants,” play a key role in updating digital maps. They allow users to virtually walk around an unfamiliar city or view the facade of a building before visiting. But how exactly is this complex system built and why does it require a constant presence of a person in the cabin?
In this article we will analyze in detail the technical equipment of such cars, the specifics of the operation of the operators of the survey and the legal aspects of their movement on public roads. You will learn why conventional DVRs cannot replace professional equipment and how the resulting gigabytes of information are processed.
Construction and technical equipment
The basis of any machine for shooting panoramas is a specialized photogrammetricIt's on the roof. Visually, it is a massive dome or cylinder, inside which a lot of high-resolution lenses are hidden. These cameras point in different directions to provide 360-degree view without blind spots.
In addition to the optical part, the design includes high-precision GPS/GLONASS receivers and inertial measuring systems. They are necessary to link each frame to specific geographical coordinates with a minimum error. Without this, it would be impossible to create a coherent image that moves smoothly when viewed by the user.
Inside the car is the server equipment for primary data processing and cooling system. The temperature of the cameras is strictly controlled, as overheating of the matrices leads to the appearance of digital noise and defects in the final image. The entire system consumes a significant amount of electricity, so it often requires an additional generator or a reinforced battery.
⚠️ Warning: The roof structure significantly changes the aerodynamics and center of gravity of the car. When driving at high speeds, there is a strong sailing, which requires the driver to increase concentration and reduce speed on the track.
Modern equipment models are also equipped with lidars and depth sensors. This allows you to create not just flat photos, but three-dimensional models of the terrain. Such data is critical for training neural networks that control unmanned vehicles, which must recognize curbs, signs and obstacles in space.
Who drives the filming car
Contrary to popular belief, these cars do not drive autonomously in full automation mode during normal street shooting. The driver is a professional driver who often combines this role with the function of the operator of the equipment. His task is not only to comply with the rules of the road, but also to monitor the serviceability of the cameras.
Employees working on such vehicles are given special training. They need to know the shooting routes, be able to respond quickly to technical failures and understand the principles of frame composition. In some cases, a second specialist may be in the machine to monitor the data flow in real time.
- 🚗 The driver must have at least 3-5 years of driving experience to work in difficult urban conditions.
- 📷 The operator monitors the purity of the lenses and the absence of glare on the protective glass of the dome.
- 🗺️ The navigator helps to adhere to an approved route covering all the necessary quarters.
- 🛠️ The technician is ready to quickly replace the data storage unit or restart the system.
The work of the operator is associated with high responsibility. Any calibration error or skipping a section of road will require re-exit, which entails additional costs. That is why the selection of staff for shooting panoramas approach very carefully.
Processing of data
After the end of the working day or change of storage devices, the data is transferred to the data center. The primary stage of processing is to “link” images from different cameras into a single panorama. To do this, powerful computer vision algorithms are used that find common points at the junctions of frames.
Then the automatic blur system comes into operation. Artificial intelligence scans each frame for the presence of face-face and plate-mark cars. These objects are subject to mandatory concealment in accordance with the law on the protection of personal data and privacy.
Automation does not always work perfectly. Sometimes manual intervention by moderators is required to correct algorithm errors. For example, if the car number is not completely blurred or the person’s face remains recognizable, the operator makes manual edits before publishing the map.
How much does one gigabyte of panoramas weigh?
One gigabyte of raw data from multispectral cameras, after processing and compression, can turn into several gigabytes of the final high-resolution panorama available to users.
The final stage includes linking the panorama to the road network and updating the address database. Only after all the checks do new images appear on the maps for end users. This process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on the load of the servers.
Legal aspects and rules of the road
Installation of large-sized equipment on the roof of the car should be legally justified. According to the traffic rules, any changes in the design of the vehicle or the installation of external elements require appropriate permission and registration with the traffic police. Yandex and other mapping services have all the necessary documents.
Dimensions of a car with an installed design often go beyond standard height limits. Therefore, routes for such machines are planned taking into account the height of bridges, overpasses and power lines. Drivers are required to watch height restriction signs and drive around low obstacles.
| Parameter | Standard car. | Panorama car | Regulatory requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height. | 2.0m | up to 2.5 - 2.8 m | Accounting for dimensions in parking |
| Width | 2.0m | changeless | No change. |
| Speed (city) | 60 km/h | 40-50 km/h | Security of shooting |
| Parking | Anybody. | Only low places. | Avoid low constructions |
When stopping such vehicles by police officers, the driver must always have a travel document and documentation for the installed equipment. Usually, there are no problems with the law, since the activity of updating the maps is coordinated with local administrations.
⚠️ Attention: Independent installation of homemade structures with cameras on a personal car without registration in the traffic police is a violation and threatens with a fine, as well as putting the vehicle in a parking lot.
Differences from unmanned vehicles
People often confuse panoramas with real drones. Externally, they may be similar to the presence of sensors on the roof, but the purpose and internal structure of them are fundamentally different. Filming cars are designed to capture a static picture, and drones are designed to dynamically analyze the environment in real time.
Yandex’s self-driving cars (robomobiles) are equipped with more complex lidar, radar and computing units capable of making decisions in fractions of a second. Their task is not just to remove the street, but to safely travel from point A to point B without human intervention. Panoramic cars are always driven by the driver.
- 🤖 The drone analyzes the traffic situation continuously and builds a trajectory.
- 📸 The panoramic car captures a static image for later processing.
- ⚡ The processing power of the drone is aimed at the reaction, and the shooting power is aimed at the image quality.
- 👤 In the drone, the driver may be absent (in test mode), in the shooting - there is always an operator.
The technologies developed on map shooting machines often become the basis for the development of unmanned vehicles. Detailed three-dimensional maps created by panoramic cars are used by robot taxis to navigate and build routes.
If you see a car with cameras, do not try to overtake it in a narrow place. The wide roof structure can hide protruding elements that easily damage your car when approached.
Impact on the development of navigation
Without regular street trips, navigation services would quickly lose their relevance. New interchanges, changed traffic patterns, signs and closed driveways appeared - all this is fixed by such cars. This allows millions of users to build accurate routes.
In addition, map detailing helps in the development of urban infrastructure. Municipal services use this data to plan road repairs, install new traffic lights and analyze traffic. The accuracy of the cards directly affects the efficiency of logistics companies and delivery services.
With the development of technology, the quality of photography is growing. If earlier it was possible to distinguish only the general contours of buildings, modern cameras allow you to read small text on signs and see the details of architecture. This opens up opportunities for virtual tourism and remote exploration of the area.
☑️ Signs of a professional filming machine
Prospects for technology
In the future, the role of these vehicles may change. With the growth of unmanned vehicles, robotic taxis can take over some of the functions of updating maps, transmitting data on changes in the road situation to the cloud in the background. However, high quality panoramas for users, most likely, will remain for specialized equipment.
The direction of night shooting, as well as shooting in difficult weather conditions, is also developing. Cameras learn to work better in low light, making maps relevant at any time of the day. Systems are also being introduced that allow updating not only the visual part, but also data on the state of the road surface.
Digital twins The cities are becoming more and more detailed. Rooftop cameras are the eyes that allow the virtual world to stay in sync with reality. Without their daily work, we would simply get lost in a maze of outdated information.
⚠️ Warning: When you try to photograph or video the operation of equipment from close range, you can disrupt the operation of the sensors or distract the operator, which is unacceptable.
Specialty cars with cameras are not just transport with recorders, but complex mobile laboratories that ensure the relevance of digital maps to millions of people.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I drive a car with a camera on the roof on a normal day?
Yes, if the equipment is dismantled or the structure is allowed to operate in this mode. However, the shooting cars themselves often have speed and route restrictions, so using them as a regular taxi is impractical and sometimes prohibited by regulations.
Are people’s faces blurred in all panoramas?
Yes, algorithms automatically blur people's faces and car license plates. However, in some rare cases, especially on older panoramas or when algorithm failures, blurring can be substandard. Users can report this in support for manual revision.
Why are panoramas not updated every day?
The process of shooting, transmitting, processing and “linking” terabytes of data requires huge computing power and time. It is physically impossible to drive around the streets of the metropolis every day. Usually, the update happens every few months or years depending on the area.
Do drivers of these cars make more money than normal?
Usually, yes. Working as a cameraman requires higher qualifications, attention and often involves irregular schedules or night work, which is paid at higher rates.
Is this data being used by the police?
In theory, panorama archives can be used by law enforcement to analyze events retrospectively (e.g., search for a car parked outside a building on a certain date), but access to this data is strictly regulated and requires formal request.