Google Maps Receives Immersive Route View, AI-Powered Lens, and More Detailed Navigation in Select Areas

Google debuted a slew of new AI-powered products and services during its Google I/O event in May. Google Maps was among those promising a range of new AI capabilities, including an exciting Immersive View feature that would offer a birds-eye view of your trip. "Immersive View for Routes" and a few other AI capabilities are now available as part of a new Maps update, according to Google. The search engine behemoth is also integrating Google Lens to Maps and enhancing navigation with additional real-world data.

Users will be able to preview their route step by step whether driving, walking, or cycling with the new Immersive View for Routes. According to Google's blog, the functionality began rolling out this week in select locations such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paris, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tokyo, and Venice for both Android and iOS.

 

Immersive View will give a panoramic birds-eye view of your path from beginning to end, along with turn-by-turn directions. Users may also use the time slider to plan their route and determine when to leave based on useful information in Immersive View, such as simulated traffic and weather conditions.

Google Maps will also have a Lens tool to assist users comprehend their surroundings in real time. Previously known as Search with Live View, the function basically inserts Google Lens into the Maps search box. You may open your camera in Maps and obtain information on local businesses, restaurants, or ATMs with a fast press of the Lens symbol. The Lens in Maps feature is now available in over 50 more cities, including Austin, Las Vegas, Rome, Sao Paulo, and Taipei. Google did not say if the Immersive View and Lens capabilities will be available in India.

Google Maps navigation is also improving, offering more real-world information, according to Google. Updated colors throughout the map, more realistic buildings along your journey, and enhanced lane information are now available for navigation. According to Google, these upgrades will begin rolling out in 12 countries, including the United States, Canada, France, and Germany, in the coming months.

 

Additionally, EV owners driving vehicles equipped with Google Assistant will now receive more useful charging station information, such as if a charger is compatible with their vehicle. This week, this update will be accessible internationally for iOS and Android in places where EV charging station information is available.

Finally, Google is improving Search in Google Maps, which will now present users with more answers to their inquiries and assist them in discovering things to do. According to Google, the search tool will return photo-first results for anything you're looking for. "These results are based on the analysis of billions of photos shared by the Google Maps community — all done with AI and advanced image recognition models," the firm said in a statement.

Tags: #googlemaps #gmaps #techtainmentora