Internet Roadtrip: Thousands of Strangers Attempt to Drive an Imaginary Car to Canada Using Google Street View
Imagine a road trip where you share the driver's seat with thousands of strangers, all vying for control. That's the reality of Internet Roadtrip, a captivating new online experiment from Neal Agarwal, the creator of One Million Checkboxes. This isn't your typical self-driving car; it's a Google Street View cam powered by collective decision-making, where viewers vote on the direction of travel every 9 seconds. Will they ever make it to Canada?
The premise is simple: a Google Street View car navigates the roads of North America, with directions dictated by the whims of an online crowd. As of now, over a thousand participants are backseat drivers, screaming directions into the void, turning this virtual road trip into a chaotic, hilarious adventure. The journey began in Boston and, despite countless detours and disagreements, is currently tooling around Maine.
"I think communal experiences on the internet are so fun, especially when there’s some shared goal," Agarwal told 404 Media, drawing inspiration from Twitch Plays Pokémon and Reddit’s /r/Place. "I’ve had the idea of ‘Twitch plays self-driving car’ for a long time, but that’s probably not street legal so this is the next best thing."
The allure of Internet Roadtrip lies in its unpredictable nature. One moment, the virtual car is cruising down a scenic highway; the next, it's veering off course thanks to a mischievous group determined to explore every dirt road and dead end. Competing factions emerge organically, with some users passionately advocating for a northward trek to Canada, while others prioritize circling Neal Street, a playful homage to the creator.
The inclusion of a chatbox adds another layer of intrigue, allowing participants to coordinate, argue, and, of course, spam the 'honk' button. As with any anonymous online platform, moderation is key, but Agarwal has implemented filters to combat hateful speech, striving to maintain a relatively civil (and often absurd) atmosphere.
Adding to the immersive experience is an FM radio, streaming local stations based on the car's current location. Viewers can vote to change the station, leading to heated debates over musical tastes, from classic country to college rock. At one point, when the car briefly found itself in the wrong lane, voters overwhelmingly chose to honk, creating a cacophonous moment of shared panic and amusement.
Despite the slow pace (roughly 3 MPH) and the constant detours, the collaborative spirit of Internet Roadtrip is undeniable. Participants have created detailed route plans, aiming to hit all 50 U.S. states or reach Canada. This unique blend of gaming, social interaction, and geographic exploration has captivated thousands, turning a simple Google Street View experiment into a compelling online phenomenon.
Internet Roadtrip is free to play, but Agarwal accepts donations through a clickable coffee cup. Will the collective ever reach Canada? Only time (and the whims of the internet) will tell. What are your thoughts on this unique social experiment? Join the conversation and share your opinions in the comments below!