Google LLC is hoping that the next round of Google Maps updates will inspire more people to use the app to plan their daily trips, as it announced today that no fewer than four new features are coming soon to make Maps “look and it feels more like the real world.”
The new updates include the long-awaited Immersive View (pictured) that was first shown in May. Immersive View allows users to experience a kind of drone-level aerial view of some of the world’s most famous cities and landmarks and check out the atmosphere of the area.
The feature is based on billions of user photos that have been processed with artificial intelligence, helping Maps to model photorealistic buildings in a more immersive 3D view. The idea is that this more realistic view will help users better understand the topography of a given area, rotate their perspective so they can look between buildings, get a feel for weather and traffic conditions, and more.
Given the effort that goes into these incredibly realistic renderings, the immersive Google Maps view will only be available in select cities at launch, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and London. Google said the feature will launch later this year, but for now it’s possible to update the Maps app and preview 250 static aerial views that provide a taste of what’s to come.
A second new feature rolling out in the coming months is Neighborhood Vibe, which is designed to help users get a feel for new neighborhoods they enter by surfacing user reviews as they scroll through the Maps app . It will be accessible by tapping the Explore button when you enter a new area. To determine the “vibe” of a neighborhood, Google said in a blog post, it combines AI with the local knowledge of Google Maps users who add more than 20 million contributions to the map a day.
Maps search is also being improved. The new Live View Search feature will allow users to search for places or follow directions on foot using Maps’ augmented reality. As the user walks, Street View will appear and highlight various things that may be nearby, such as ATMs or restaurants, just as they might be marked on a flat map. Search with Live View will be available in the coming weeks in San Francisco, London, New York, Paris and Tokyo.
The final update builds on the green routing feature that was launched in Maps earlier this year. When using Maps to get directions to a destination, users can select the most fuel-efficient route, rather than the fastest route, which is the default.
Google says the feature has proven popular, helping to remove roughly half a million metric tons of carbon emissions since launching in Canada and the United States earlier this year. That’s the equivalent of taking 100,000 gas-powered cars off the road, Google said.
Given the positive environmental impact of this feature, Google has decided to extend it to third-party developers who use Maps within their own apps. This means that ride-sharing and delivery services that rely on Maps to provide directions to their drivers will now also be able to get green route information.
Companies will be able to measure each driver’s fuel consumption and the savings made on single or multiple trips throughout the day. That data can also be extended to entire fleets of drivers when the feature becomes available in preview later this year, Google said.
Images: Google