Location-based services going places

The Tele Atlas van has been roaming around Singapore mapping the island, according to a guide at the booth. Its next stop is Malaysia.

Credit: Victoria Ho

A total of four cameras sit atop the van--two facing forward, with two at 45 degrees to capture peripheral images.

Credit: Victoria Ho

A view of the "brains" of the van. It contains 250 gigabytes of hardware and video processing software.

Credit: Victoria Ho

Each van has an odometer on the rear wheel to measure distance traveled, accurate to an inch.

Credit: Victoria Ho

The mapping software rendering a building in 3D.

Credit: Victoria Ho

The cockpit of the car. According to Tele Atlas, the van is able to collect data while traveling at normal speeds--faster than traditional survey cars--so that more ground is able to be covered in a day.

Credit: Victoria Ho

A map to the left and "street view" to the right, with 3D buildings superimposed to show depth.

Credit: Victoria Ho