Google Maps is one of the highly used navigation software in Malaysia which is rarely wrong on traffics updates. But an artist named Simon Weckert from Germanay has hacked the app in a humourous way by creating virtual traffic jams throughout Berlin with a wagon.
Simon Weckert used his wagon filled with 99 second-hand smartphones running on Maps to trick the app into thinking the empty roads were suddenly congested with cars. At that point, the Maps color codes the roads from green to a red state to show its highly congested and even rerouted drivers away from the area where he moved. Weckert routed his wagon to Google’s office in Berlin as well.
Simon Weckert pulling his wagon across Berlin roads
The artist mentioned these apps also create new forms of digital capitalism and commodification which his purpose was to show just how dependent we’ve become on services like Maps, Airbnb, Uber, and Foodora. Google also responded to the art project and said to make the app better. They also noted that Maps does not solely rely on phones operating Maps as proof of traffic jams as it also relies on other sources as well.
With that said, if you’re trying to copy the art project again in Malaysia, it may not have the same results anymore. But will you still be relying fully on Maps and other mobile services apps for your daily routines? Let us know at our Facebook page and stay tuned for more news updates on TechNave.com!
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