Google Maps has been up to date with assist for brand new options which might be geared toward enhancing the navigation expertise on the service and discovering electrical car (EV) charging stations. On Thursday, Google introduced new options which might be coming to its cell apps that can assist customers put together for upcoming flyovers, assist four-wheeler drivers navigate smaller roads, and permit EV drivers to find the closest charging station. In the meantime, customers may even be capable of guide metro tickets from the Google Maps app, and the method of reporting highway incidents has additionally been simplified on the app.
Listed here are the brand new options coming to Google Maps, together with particulars of how they work, and when you may count on them to roll out in your metropolis.
Google Maps Flyover Callouts Characteristic
To be able to assist customers put together for upcoming flyovers whereas driving in metropolis site visitors, Google Maps has been up to date with a brand new flyover callouts characteristic. The corporate says that the characteristic is designed to eradicate the necessity to make choices about taking a flyover, or utilizing the highway beneath, when driving in a comparatively new area.
Flyover callouts on Google Maps
Photograph Credit score: Google
Customers with Android smartphones or Android Auto models ought to see the brand new flyover callouts characteristic as quickly as this week, and it is going to be accessible in 40 cities within the nation to start with. Each two-wheeler and four-wheeler navigation routes will show these callouts, in line with the corporate. iOS and CarPlay customers should wait — there is not any launch date for the characteristic on these platforms.
EV Charging Stations on Google Maps
Google Maps now shows info associated to EV charging stations throughout the nation, and these particulars may even be displayed on the corporate’s search outcomes. Drivers will be capable of see what plug sorts are supported on the charging station, in addition to test whether or not the station is open with real-time availability.
The corporate has partnered with 4 EV charging suppliers — Ather, ElectricPe, Kazam, and Statiq — to supply the related info for over 8,000 charging stations within the nation. It’s also the primary time that Google is providing particulars about EV charging stations for two-wheelers on this planet. The corporate is anticipated to disclose extra particulars associated to availability sooner or later.
AI-Powered Slender Highway Estimation
Google is introducing a brand new AI-powered navigation characteristic that can estimate the width of smaller roads, which can inform four-wheeler drivers about the opportunity of congested roads. The corporate says that it developed an AI mannequin that makes use of info reminiscent of satellite tv for pc imagery, details about particular roads, identified distance between buildings, footpaths, and even Road View knowledge in an effort to establish slim roads.
Slender highway estimation (left) and metro ticket reserving on Google Maps
Photograph Credit score: Google
By informing customers about slim roads upfront, Google Maps ought to be capable of assist four-wheeler drivers take different routes which might be much less congested, at any time when attainable. The brand new slim highway estimation characteristic is rolling out to customers on Android gadgets in Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Indore, and Guwahati. Assist for iOS gadgets and different cities will arrive at a later date.
Metro Ticket Reserving on Google Maps
Commuters will be capable of guide metro tickets on Google Maps, and the corporate has partnered with ONDC and Namma Yatri to allow the performance on its navigation app. Customers can guide tickets whereas touring on metro traces in Kochi and Chennai, in line with the corporate.
Whereas utilizing the Google Maps app to test public transport instructions in these cities, customers will see a reserving possibility that enables them to pick out the journey particulars and make the fee contained in the app, eliminating the necessity to stand in line for a ticket on the station.
Curated Lists and Simpler Highway Incident Reporting
Earlier this 12 months, Google introduced that it’s making it simpler for customers to entry suggestions and curated lists, together with collaborative choices like the power so as to add itinerary info and suggestions by way of the lists characteristic. These options are additionally accessible to customers in India, the corporate stated on Thursday. Maps customers can even react to solutions utilizing emoji, which might assist in constructing consensus whereas planning a visit.
Highway incident reporting has additionally been improved on Google Maps, and the corporate says that it has streamlined the method of reporting an accident or repairs and building work on a highway, which implies much less time is spent wanting on the display. In contrast to the slim roads characteristic and flyover callouts characteristic, the improved highway incident reporting course of is offered on all cell and automotive platforms.
