Google's new high-tech mapping backpack (pictures)

SAN FRANCISCO--Google's mapped the world with airplanes, bicycles, and even on the backs of snowmobiles. But the company's thinking bigger in a small package.

Today, the company showed off a new backpack it's using to gather up outdoor imagery for its Street View technology. CNET got a hands-on after the debut. Click through to find out more about this high-tech backpack.

CNET's Rafe Needleman gets the backpack on with a little help.

Walk like an Egyptian, or a Googler? We're not sure either.

Needleman says "no big deal" to wearing this 35-pound rig on his back. "My kid weighs more than this," he says.

We're told the backpack is a prototype.

Why are the handles near the top for, you ask? For another person to help you take the thing off.

The rear of the pack, and our intrepid reporter.

Not a lot of buttons and knobs poking out here.

The camouflage remains from the pack's military beginnings.

Various GPS and data technology, which Google's rather unspecific about at this point.

The virtual eyeballs of the whole operation, 15 lenses at 5 megapixels each. The end image is 65 megapixels after overlap is accounted for.

More of the lens mount.

More of the lenses.

And of course there's a place to put your phone.

Needleman demonstrates that phone calls can be made while wearing the prototype pack.

Needleman carries on a casual conversation with Google's Vincent while the backpack observes.

Journalist Sumi Das gives the backpack a spin.

Luc Vincent, Google's Street View Engineering Director, takes it out for a spin in Lake Tahoe.

Luc Vincent again, skiing.

The pack, out on a hike.

Look out behind you! Oh wait, it's backpack with a bunch of cameras.