Ask HN: Google Street View USPS
Why doesn't google place street view cameras on USPS trucks? They literally drive by almost every house in america every day. This would give them daily updated street views.
I would see a more likely partnership being the trucking/shipping industry (like FedEx/UPS etc). While the technology would have to change some to get the right angles etc, it would seem like an easy way to cover significant territory. But then again, it wouldn't be contiguous areas at the same time so they would likely have to mash old and new images at a much more frequent pace which may not provide as good a consumer experience.
As a side note, I am curious what fraction of houses they actually drive by each day. In many residential areas it seems common for drivers to park the delivery car while they walk around the block with the mail. Still, it seems clear the coverage is pretty substantial.
Edit: this post indicates an October 2012 number of around 250 cars, just to give a sense of scale.