Yesterday, we saw a statement from Google regarding the Google Maps “hack” detailed in the original article below. Now, we also have some more clarity on how the artist performed the “hack” in question.
(Updated) In an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine (via 9to5Google), artist Simon Weckert says that each of the 99 smartphones in the wagon had their own connected SIM card and each one was actively using Maps for navigation. He discovered that if the wagon stopped moving, Maps would not show a traffic jam, so the wagon had to consistently be in motion for a jam to get registered.
Additionally, if a vehicle drove by the wagon at a normal speed, Maps would also register traffic as normal. It was only when the wagon was in motion and the street was empty that a traffic jam would show on Google Maps.
Google had this to say in response to the “hack” of using 99 smartphones to cause Maps to register false traffic jams:
Whether via car or cart or camel, we love seeing creative uses of Google Maps as it helps us make maps work better over time.
The company also reaffirmed its commitment to making Maps as accurate as possible. Google also pointed out in a tongue-in-cheek fashion that it can distinguish between cars and motorcycles in some regions around the world — but it hasn’t deduced a formula for wagons yet.