February 7, 2007

Google Embarrassed in Australia

Michael Arrington

76 comments »

Reporters at a Sydney, Australia newspaper discovered an embarrassing flaw in Google’s Map product - Google recommends a 10.4 kilometer trip, across the harbor and back, to go the thirty steps from Google’s Sydney headquarters to a hotel located across the street. The suggested route would also include a AU$3 bridge toll. Any query for driving directions from areas east, south or west of Google’s headquarters will suggest the same detour across the harbor, using a toll tunnel or bridge.

Google is blaming MapData Sciences, the Sydney-based company that supplies the mapping data to Google, for the problem. I imagine MapData is working on a fix rather urgently.

Another humorous image of this is here.

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Hasan Jafri

February 7th, 2007 at 2:31 am

I’ve found mistakes in Google Maps in the past, which is why I prefer Mapquest. Nothing so damning as this though. Is there no Mapquest Australia? Or were the reporters just Google-baiting?
Oobie Doobie Kanoobi

February 7th, 2007 at 2:38 am

Hmmmm

Looks more like an algorithmic error that a data-based one. Look at the pushpins, they are in the right places - so its almost certainly bad math.
...some Drifter

February 7th, 2007 at 3:08 am

it’s not that big of a deal.

it’s a glitch in the program - it happens, and i’m sure it’ll soon be corrected.
using the word “embarrassed” as part of the article title is a bit excessive
Chris

February 7th, 2007 at 3:13 am

I tested it this morning it gives the same error.
Stephen

February 7th, 2007 at 3:19 am

Google must own the toll bridge
D'Artagnan

February 7th, 2007 at 3:19 am

huh - slow news day? Not like it’s going to crash a Mars probe.
Mike Cruz

February 7th, 2007 at 3:36 am

uhm - why not focus on the 8 billion directions they get right? Naturally there will be some like this from time to time - and guess what, I bet there are others too! Title is misleading and excessive just like #3 says, but is typical here. Anything for a digg right?
Yohay Elam

February 7th, 2007 at 3:37 am

Amusing, but not a big deal…
Daniel Gardner

February 7th, 2007 at 3:46 am

The best option in Aus is whereis.com.au for directions and 131500.info if you are taking public transport.

I have found both to be fairly accurate though have had some troubles with google maps showing streets on there map but the streets are missing when you look at the satellite images I guess they don’t use the most recent pictures though
Anshul

February 7th, 2007 at 3:50 am

Humorous but proves that humans are still smarter compared to machines.
heri

February 7th, 2007 at 3:59 am

i am sure mapData is blaming another subcontractor who is blaming a temp.
Kula bácsi

February 7th, 2007 at 4:06 am

Only a moron would follow that path. Or a journalist.
Oobie Doobie Kanoobi

February 7th, 2007 at 4:08 am

That path leads to the darkside…
Laura

February 7th, 2007 at 4:16 am

it’s not that serious, besides they could enjoy a nice walk admiring the seasight!
Rodney Olsen

February 7th, 2007 at 4:22 am

It’s a busy road. Crossing it normally is not an option. You really do need to travel all that distance just to get to the other side of the road.
JasonM

February 7th, 2007 at 4:36 am

Maybe after our Australia Day Google flyovers they will sort out the one way streets throughout the city.
...some Drifter

February 7th, 2007 at 4:50 am

lol - this petty article should be removed effective immediately

all it is is a f’n glitch, plain and simple. nothing really New-news worthy - unless it’s a slow day.
you guys get off pointing out whenever google let’s a fart slip?

it’s only being covered because it’s google; if it was startup xyz’s software that caused this it would’ve passed and been resolved w/o it’s own co.’s ceo knowing what just happened
Anthony

February 7th, 2007 at 5:03 am

You would be suprised that this route may be correct. Every been to Sydney? No! I thought so. And is this meant to be embarrassing for Google. Once again no.
Why dont you start writing some quality content again.
Random Bull

February 7th, 2007 at 5:11 am

surprising but rather boring I know we can do better than that….get a good laugh at http://www.randombull.net
Googlr

February 7th, 2007 at 5:20 am

That also happens to be the case with GPS. Sometimes it shows longer route than normal.
Martin Neumann

February 7th, 2007 at 5:22 am

Yes it’s not a big deal but it IS embarrassing - I mean 10Km’s for a few meters!!

BTW, you know the tall poppy syndrome is in full swing when you’re more hated than a big corporation.
Duncan

February 7th, 2007 at 5:27 am

I’m just surprised they’ve gotten the directions thing happening in Australia all of a sudden, last time I checked it didn’t work…checked again, it doesn’t, at least by the .com site, but it does by the .com.au version. Go figure.
Mike

February 7th, 2007 at 5:42 am

This would be the fault of the navigation data provider, not Google’s. What you get for a few million bucks is a bunch of vectors with a set length and properties (speed factor, number of lanes or width, etc.), which intersect - or not, such as an overpass. Each intersection also has properties defining what turns are allowed from each vector onto another vector.

With this set of basic rules in mind, you can imagine who was responsible for the cock-up - some guy who didn’t pay attention when he was setting the properties of a node, and thus made it non-routable, crossing the street was no longer an option. The mapping engine duly tries to find the shortest/quickest route, and the result is the screenshot you post.

This happens more often than you think, especially in newly-covered areas. I’ve found myself being told by a GPS navigator to turn left across five lanes of oncoming traffic, and a while ago, a TomTom GPS tried to take me & my car up a horse trail.

MapData Sciences Pty Ltd., shame on you!
Mr Boring

February 7th, 2007 at 6:13 am

Mike - this is b.o.r - mother fking - i.n.g

Sandy
Dan

February 7th, 2007 at 6:30 am

A couple weeks ago Google Maps suggested 70+ U-turns for a simple trip from PA to NJ. It’s since been corrected but a picture of it is here: http://img266.imageshack.us/im.....rn4uh.gif.
Rexted

February 7th, 2007 at 6:34 am

That only means we cannot trust maps by Google
Hasan Jafri

February 7th, 2007 at 6:36 am

Some “glitch” in the algorithm. I’m glad NASA didn’t use Google Maps for the Mars probes. Oh wait! Didn’t the last probe kill some microbes by accident? Hmm….
Zoli Erdos

February 7th, 2007 at 6:43 am

C’mon, that’s the “scenic route”
Luigi

February 7th, 2007 at 6:54 am

Who would actually look up directions to go from one side of a street to the other? Is it really an embarrassment when it affects literally no one?
Czaries

February 7th, 2007 at 6:58 am

I am really starting to wonder about the focus of this blog sometimes. While it’s nice to read about every little flinch Google makes, I really don’t think it falls within the focus of what this blog was originally created and intended for, unless it’s some site being acquired by or sponsored by Google in some way.

Please report on more STARTUPS, acquisitions, new web technology improvements, startup site feature improvements, etc. And stop trying to be a Google reporting blog - there are already plenty of other blogs in that area.

I continue to read, but lately have continued to be disappointed.
rob

February 7th, 2007 at 7:04 am

I think TC just jumped the shark.
MightyAtom

February 7th, 2007 at 7:04 am

Although this is definitely an amusing and unfortunate error, it doesn’t surprise me. I’m a Sydneysider and I must say that Sydney seriously has some of the worst laid-out infrastructure in the world, particularly the CBD and North Shore. There are a plethora of one-way streets, no right turns, forced entries and exits from motorways, etc, etc. People who live and have grown up there continue to struggle with navigating the urban labyrinth. Therefore it comes as no surprise that mapping data can at times be inaccurate. Such mapping applications that include routing are still in relative infancy, so the tech is only going to improve from here.
Geoff McQueen

February 7th, 2007 at 7:07 am

its one of the best bridges in the world. take it on. you won’t regret it. a real treat is catching a double decker train over it and letting someone else drive so you can soak in the beauty of sydney harbour…
Adam Cogan

February 7th, 2007 at 7:08 am

And it was just last week that we had

Google, a promise they just couldn’t keep…
http://techtalkblogs.com/blog/...../1841.aspx
Joey

February 7th, 2007 at 7:11 am

Who uses any online mapping service to figure out the directions for something that is “30 steps” away or “across the street” …

And why on earth does TC think this is worthy of repeating? TC was just removed from my ‘bookmarks’.
Joey

February 7th, 2007 at 7:16 am

Reporting that gmail is now available world wide is something that would be worthy of reporting.
JayH

February 7th, 2007 at 7:16 am

Google can use a new slogan - “Google maps - the preferred direction provider for taxi drivers”
Ashish Mohta

February 7th, 2007 at 7:21 am

There are always error in programs.Since google is a big company it comes into focus fast.They will be double fast if error comes up that we think…But as i sad Big Name get caught fast.
crimsonquaker

February 7th, 2007 at 7:42 am

Yeah, and my Garmin GPS screws up from time to time too. So what?

This post and the one about Walmart’s video page not working in Firefox the first day it released are not newsworthy. They are just common bugs. Anyone working at a tech growth company will have experienced, or done, similar minor gaffes.
Scott

February 7th, 2007 at 8:17 am

3$ i guess is a lot of revenue

big deal tech
Zoli Erdos

February 7th, 2007 at 8:21 am

Mike, how did you get snap preview anchored to those little clouds instead of the entire URL?
Thx.
unsubscribe

February 7th, 2007 at 8:47 am

riveting journalism!

removing my TC feed, all the real news is from VentureBeat anyways
Also unsubscribing

February 7th, 2007 at 9:11 am

Yes, this is amusing, but your title is just ridiculous. Why all the Google hate on TC lately?
Travis

February 7th, 2007 at 9:12 am

The title of this article is a good example of why online “journalism” is a just trash. The only thing “embarassing” here is the sensationalist word choice of the title and content of this article.
Matt

February 7th, 2007 at 9:49 am

There goes the Fonz…And he’s over the shark!
T Candy

February 7th, 2007 at 9:51 am

I have to say that this article is slightly more interesting than 99% of Australians (just).
onex

February 7th, 2007 at 9:55 am

i have seen the same situation with google maps even here in US.i guess its time for google to concentarate on product improvements rather then trying to beat microsoft.
its well know that google is very agressive but they should also understand that search is the only product thats keeping them alive and they should concentate on that.
Sheri Dwyer

February 7th, 2007 at 10:10 am

I think it is interesting that Google “blames” the provider of data. Why don’t they jump on fixing the problem. They are the supposed industry leader.
Ryan Coleman

February 7th, 2007 at 10:33 am

I’ve had this happen and recommend routes 100km out of the way all because of one small flaw in the logic along the way… emailed them and it was fixed within a week or so.

This was likely the case of a one way street or other similar restriction - I had the same thing happen to me in NYC when I was trying to find an address of a building that I didn’t realize was just around the corner. By foot it was a block or so but with the one way streets etc. the “road logic” required a much more obscure root.

Hardly “embarrassing”. But a good way for Google to tell if the guy who’s late coming 30 feet across the street is worth dealing with.
Googly Eyed

February 7th, 2007 at 10:47 am

“It wasn’t MY Fault”. Do Evil! Do Evil! or My supplier did evil, not me!
Scott

February 7th, 2007 at 11:13 am

Which is more embarrassing? A computer getting directions wrong, or needing directions to go across the street?
mint

February 7th, 2007 at 11:17 am

I have had multiple problems with Google Maps giving incorrect or unclear directions in the US. I’m happy to see this post and would like to hear if others have had similar issues, perhaps Google will reevaluate its mapping data. In the meantime, I’ll stick with other providers for directions.
carmen

February 7th, 2007 at 11:56 am

Dan: i saved the page. besidse the original ‘Head southeast’, theres 2 left turns, 2 right turns, and 241 U-Turns, for a total of 246 steps in 37.4 miles.

knowing that part of new jersey, i dont think it requires more than 7 or 8 u-turns, in reality..
Jorge

February 7th, 2007 at 12:28 pm

All the Google hate largely because Google holds itself as the best yet falls short in every single field.

I’ve never gotten wrong directions from MapQuest or Yahoo. I rarely get correct directions from Google. (I live in SoCal, so there’s no excuse.)

Search has gotten so spammy lately that it’s easier to just use Live Search or Yahoo.

But most importantly, Google made a deal with MySpace for $900 million dollars. That’s evil incarnate.
bex

February 7th, 2007 at 1:37 pm

Imagine in the future when we depend on technology so much that we lose common sense. Perhaps this would be an unrecognizable error.
Akojev

February 7th, 2007 at 1:59 pm

Having been in lost Sydney CBD’s confusing web of one-way streets on several occasions, I wouldn’t be surprised if that really was the only way to cross the road…
Neil Kelty

February 7th, 2007 at 2:17 pm

You do realize that Google Maps is for cars and you have to drive the right way.
Kyle

February 7th, 2007 at 2:24 pm

man I’m tired of your Google bashing… are you running out of articles?
sufiy

February 7th, 2007 at 2:25 pm

YouTube NO Good and Pipes are Clogged wisdom for 1.65 billion revealed by Google TV Chief:

http://sufiy.blogspot.com/2007.....ns-of.html
Luciano Fuentes

February 7th, 2007 at 2:44 pm

I really don’t see the big deal. It is a software glitch that will get ironed out in good time. I am often surprised at how good most directions given by Google actually are. I live in Sydney and have lurked around the CBD for the better part of 10 years now, and when you consider the spaghetti bowl of alleys, one-way streets, no-right/left turns, tunnel funnels and perpetual construction work that goes on, you really do feel like you deserve a good drink when you arrive at your destination.

Besides, being sent on a detour over the bridge and back would be one of the happiest mistakes you could ever make. I have driven and walked across the coathanger thousands of times and still marvel at its beauty each time.
John D

February 7th, 2007 at 3:39 pm

Whats with all the Google hate recently. THis blogs sucks now. Im getting all my news from VentureBeat and Go2Tap.
James Ahn

February 7th, 2007 at 6:56 pm

Geez TechCrunch sucks these days. There are so many others sites worthy of my time.
Neil Kelty

February 7th, 2007 at 7:13 pm

Folks, I highly doubt this is a software glitch - you have to drive that way. You can’t just drive across a street (assuming there is a median). You are supposed to walk.
rick

February 7th, 2007 at 10:29 pm

What sort of idiot needs directions to cross the street in the first place? More importantly, what sort of idiot is trying to trip up a mapping app by requesting directions to a place across the street? This is kinda like saying Radio Shack sucks because they recommended I buy a vaccuum cleaner when I asked for an extension cord. First of all, what sort of idiot needs to ask a Radio Shack tech for advice on an extension cord? Second, how much damage is done if the dumb ass RS tech tells me that buying a vaccuum cleaner will solve my extension cord problem unless I’m stupid enough to do it?

Michael, I’m not one of your bashers, but this one really raises questions.
Bryce

February 7th, 2007 at 10:44 pm

QUOTE:
But in a quirk, all driving directions queried from points east, south and west of Google’s headquarters will suggest the same cross harbour detour - one that involves using the tunnel or the bridge, driving up to Falcon Street in Crows Nest before coming back down across the bridge.

For an eight-kilometre drive from Coogee in Sydney’s east to Google’s headquarters - a trip that normally takes 15-20 minutes in off-peak conditions - the Google directions suggest a circuitous 17.2-kilometre, 29-minute journey that involves two harbour crossings.

—
It seems to be any problem in ANY direction that involves 201 Sussex Street
Katie

February 7th, 2007 at 10:45 pm

Mapping errors are amusing - they should be shared for that reason.

Even more amusing is the fact that the error involved directions from a Google office.

Does this mean I have issues with Google or Google maps? No, I just take serendipitous humor where i can find it. Those of you who condemned the poster or anyone else who posts errors like this, learn to laugh for crying out loud, it’s an obvious error and it’s amusing.
Martin Neumann

February 7th, 2007 at 10:47 pm

I love all the “TC sucks” comments - hilarious. Really!

If I hated something this much I wouldn’t even comment, I’d just leave. What’s the bet all these TC haters keep coming back - just can’t help themselves.

BTW, as reported in Melbourne’s Herald Sun today - Google could not locate Melbourne Airport, a large international airport - don’t care if it’s Google or not, this is just not good enough for a mapping service.

But that’s okay. It’s only the airport - it’s not that important.
rick

February 7th, 2007 at 11:03 pm

Katie, have you been buying vaccuum cleaners from Radio Shack? Amusing posts should be headlined, “Amusing Post”, not “Google Embarrassed”. I have a hard time believing Google’s stock is going drop 10% tomorrow over this “embarrassment” or that Larry & Sergey are running around the campus as we speak, gathering all of their resources to fix this “embarrassing” glitch. Give me a break!

Mike, don’t hate you, just expect more of you.
sam

February 8th, 2007 at 7:13 am

Take a look a Sydney Newsspaper has more info on this …
http://www.smh.com.au/news/web.....23140.html
Jimmy

February 9th, 2007 at 8:30 am

Sooo why would anyone need to look up directions to go across the street?
Matt Emery

February 10th, 2007 at 1:17 pm

@ T Candy
I’d say that 99% of Australians are more interesting than you - judging by your racist and pompeous comment.
Martin Neumann

February 11th, 2007 at 2:22 am

Matt - not to worry, T Candy is a classic gutless anonymous troll.
Ben

February 14th, 2007 at 2:25 pm

Below is a link to the updated story the “Sydney Morning Herald” published which “techcrunch.com” refer to.

You will find that they have made a full retraction and have since apologised to MapData Sciences for falsely pointing the blame directly at them.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/web.....44806.html
traveller

February 14th, 2007 at 7:04 pm

You arrive at JFK and get a cab to go downtown. What’s the first question the cab driver is likely to ask: “What route do you want me to take.” It’s a question framed to find out how much you know about the city, and the least you know, the longer the route is likely to be, with the metre spinning away like there’s no tomorrow. Now imagine pre-planning your route with Google: it coul become a cab-driver’s dream.