Google Maps unveils immersive view, AI lens, and enhanced navigation
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Mountain View: At the Google I/O event earlier this year, Google showcased an array of AI-driven advancements, including significant updates for Google Maps. Among the promised features were the Immersive View offering a bird's-eye view of routes and an AI-powered Lens integrated into Maps.
These innovations are now part of a new Maps update, announced Google.
The Immersive View for routes is the highlight, allowing users to preview their journey step-by-step while driving, walking, or cycling. Rolling out initially in select cities like Amsterdam, London, New York, and Tokyo, the feature provides a panoramic view of the route with turn-by-turn directions. It also offers insights like simulated traffic and weather conditions to assist in planning the journey effectively.
Additionally, Google has integrated Lens into Maps, enabling users to access real-time information about their surroundings. Formerly known as Search with Live View, this feature adds Google Lens to the Maps search bar. By tapping the Lens icon, users can utilise their camera within Maps to explore nearby places such as shops, restaurants, or ATMs. This feature is expanding to over 50 new cities, including Rome, São Paulo, and Taipei.
Navigation within Google Maps is undergoing enhancements too, offering updated colours, realistic buildings, and improved lane details. These updates will gradually roll out in 12 countries, including the US, Canada, France, and Germany.
Moreover, EV owners with Google's built-in car systems will receive more detailed charging station information, including compatibility with their vehicles. This update will go live globally on iOS and Android in regions where EV charging station information is available.
Finally, Google is revamping its Search in Google Maps, providing users with more extensive answers and aiding in discovering activities. The search feature will prioritise photo-based results based on billions of photos from the Google Maps community, facilitated by AI and advanced image recognition models.
Google didn’t specify if Immersive View and Lens features would extend to India.