【Her PS Partner】

What do Her PS Partneryou get when you put an almost 4-foot high backpack on someone that's barely 5-foot-2?

A lot of screaming, balancing, and wobbling.

SEE ALSO: Google's Street View Gets Stunning Imagery from the Grand Canyon

So it wasn't the most graceful when I tried on Google's Street View Trekker, one of several pieces of equipment the company uses to capture its Street View imagery.

The 3-foot-9-inch high (1.2m) Trekker consists of 15 cameras in a ball-like shape, mounted on a pole, powered by a computer backpack. The set up is fully waterproof and battery-powered up to 8 hours.

It's able to capture the 360-degree images we see on Street View.

You're meant to strap on the 44 pounds (20kg) contraption and carry it into places that are hard to reach on four wheels.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

It's been taken to places like the Komodo islands, on a zip line in Brazil leading to the Amazon, and even near a fiery volcano.

And today, it was brought for a walk through one of Singapore's lush forest trails.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

It only took about three people to help me get the Trekker on.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

The hardest part was making it down three flights of stairs -- the weight of the backpack caused me to lean heavily forward and I kept picturing myself tumbling down head-first.

I could also feel the 15-camera ball wobbling with each step I took, despite the Trekker looking quite sturdy.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

In comparison, it was easier to walk back up the stairs, and far less scary to walk on flat ground, naturally.

In all, I lasted all of five minutes.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

For the demo, Google brought in an ultra-marathoner who made it look like a literal walk in the park.

"The first time I tried it I had to steady myself a bit, but after a while you get used to it," said Paviter Singh, a Singaporean ultra-marathoner.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"I can feel the weight for sure. It's manageable, but we have to try to ensure that we don't wobble too much."

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The Trekker, which was first launched in 2011, uses the same technology that is used in Google's camera-equipped cars.

"We shrunk it, turning it into a wearable backpack. It was a lot of work to minimise it. We're hoping it will get smaller," said Cynthia Wei, Street View program manager, APAC.

Google on Thursday announced that it was teaming up with JustRunLah, a Singapore running group, to capture nature trails around the country.

The collaboration is not unique to Singapore. In Australia for example, the country's National Parks has teamed up with Google to capture some of the island's remote paths.

Individuals can also apply to borrow the Trekker and help map their piece of the world.

So the next time you take a virtual stroll down a far-flung path, just remember that you have an adventurous walker to thank for it.

---

Featured Video For You

---

This Star Wars-like flying car is everyone's dream come true

---

Topics Google

• Science
• Social Good
• Tech
• Shopping
• Games
• Entertainment
• Deals
• Digital Culture

• Blockchain Explained: How It Works, Who Cares and What Its Future May Hold
• Widower found out his late wife played a joke on him with a request to water the plants
• Apple shuttle buses rerouted following suspected attacks
• Twitter to notify users who engaged with Russian propaganda accounts
• Greenpeace activists charged after unfurling 'Resist' banner at Trump Tower in Chicago
• City advertises for a graphic design job, and damn they need help
• A government shutdown is unlikely to affect the nation's internet
• Twitter to notify users who engaged with Russian propaganda accounts
• NYT Connections hints and answers for February 5: Tips to solve 'Connections' #605.
• Michael Douglas' sexual harassment accuser tells her side of the story

• Sushi donuts will make your Instagram feed a little more delicious in 2017
• Facebook could use video selfies to fight fake accounts
• #BootBae shows us the real function of high heel boots
• Over 80 LGBTQ candidates win in Tuesday's election
• Chelsea Clinton remembers the good old days when fake news was about aliens
• John Legend trolled Donald Trump like a champion
• What Marvel content will be available on Disney+?
• Building the world of Apple TV+'s 'See'
• Uber's new self
• Uber CEO Travis Kalanick needs to resign

• Man City vs. Real Madrid 2025 livestream: Watch Champions League for free
• 'Fire and Fury' rights purchased with eye towards TV series
• Nancy Pelosi to guest judge 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
• 2017 was one of Earth's top 3 hottest years on record
• Best air purifier deal: Save $300 on the Dyson HEPA Big + Quiet air purifier
• Patreon updates content reporting tool, hires human moderators
• The internet reacts hilariously to Nintendo Labo's cardboard accessories
• BMW says it will produce an all
• Best GPU deal: Get the MSI RTX 5080 for $1,249.99 at Best Buy
• Apple's upcoming battery update makes the iPhone more like Android

• Ruggable x Jonathan Adler launch: See the new designs
• Patrisse Cullors explains the origin of Black Lives Matter in new book
• Quit everything, 'Chicken nugget taste
• Dutch people are sharing terrifying storm footage from the Netherlands
• Best early Prime Day Roomba deals: Newest Roombas on sale at Amazon
• What we can learn about sex and power from the #MeToo backlash
• Paul Bettany reportedly the new Prince Philip in 'The Crown' Season 3
• Nintendo Labo is a new DIY way to play games on the Switch
• Apple MacBook Air deal: $899 at Best Buy
• Google's 'speed update' will prioritize speed on mobile searches