Mapping it out

It isn't every day that a person sees the Google Maps people.  I think it is pretty neat when I do because I regularly use Google Maps.  In the US, I've only ever seen cars taking photos and recording locations, but this time it was a guy walking around the park with a backpack.

I wonder if this is a Japanese machine or an international one.  No matter the answer, my expat friends and I have no idea how we used to live here without smartphones and online navigation systems.  It certainly makes life so much easier!