Google has revealed how artificial intelligence is advancing its goals, with improvements to immersive view and Live View, as well as new features aimed at electric vehicle drivers and those who use public transportation. In the previous year, Google introduced Live View in Search and the ability to find EV charging stations.
Immersive view
Google’s Immersive View offers a unique experience of exploring a location by giving the impression of actually being there even before visiting. This innovative technology uses AI and computer vision to combine billions of street view and aerial images to form a comprehensive digital model of the world. Additionally, it provides valuable information like weather conditions, traffic updates, and crowd density.
Google’s Immersive View allows you to plan a visit to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam with virtual exploration. You can fly over the building, locate entrances, and check the weather and crowd conditions at different times of day using the time slider. You can also search for nearby restaurants and view their interiors to get a sense of their ambiance before making a reservation.
This immersive experience is made possible by the use of neural radiance fields (NeRF), a cutting-edge AI technology that transforms regular photos into 3D representations. With NeRF, the complete context of a location is accurately depicted, including lighting, material textures, and background elements. This enables you to determine if a bar’s mood lighting is suitable for a date night, or if a café has good views for lunch with friends.
Explore and navigate with AR — indoors and out
Google’s Live View utilizes AI and AR to assist in finding nearby points of interest, such as ATMs, restaurants, parks, and transit stations, simply by holding up your phone while outside. Live View displays useful information like hours of operation, current crowd levels, and ratings, enabling you to make informed decisions and maximize your time.
Live View uses AR-powered arrows to guide you towards your desired location, such as the nearest restrooms, lounges, taxi stands, car rentals, and more, allowing you to navigate with confidence.
Make driving an EV easy
Google introduces new Maps features for EV drivers with vehicles that have Google built-in.
Adding charging stops to shorter trips: When traveling, Google Maps will suggest the optimal charging stop based on real-time traffic, your current battery level, and estimated energy consumption. This eliminates the need to worry about remembering to charge your vehicle, regardless of your destination. You can also easily change the suggested charging station with just a few taps if you prefer another option..
Very fast charging stations: The “very fast” charging filter on Google Maps makes it simple to locate stations with 150 kilowatts or higher chargers. For many vehicles, this results in a quick charge of less than 40 minutes, allowing you to refuel and continue your journey.
Charging stations in search results: When searching for places like supermarkets, Google Maps will show results that have on-site charging stations. This makes it easier to choose a store that also allows you to charge your vehicle while shopping for groceries.
Get glanceable directions while navigating
Google is making it more convenient for you to travel, no matter what mode of transportation you choose, be it walking, biking, or public transit.
With quick and easy-to-read directions, you can monitor your journey from the route overview or lock screen, with updated ETAs and turn-by-turn instructions that were previously only accessible by unlocking your phone and using the full navigation mode. If you decide to take a different route, Maps will automatically adjust your trip accordingly.
Availability
Starting today, Immersive view is launching in London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo. In the upcoming months, it will be available in additional cities including Amsterdam, Dublin, Florence, and Venice.
In the coming months, the Live View feature will be expanding to Barcelona, Dublin, and Madrid. The indoor Live View will also be accessible in over 1,000 new airports, train stations, and shopping malls in cities such as Barcelona, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Melbourne, Paris, Prague, São Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, and Taipei in the months to come.
The new glanceable directions feature will be launching worldwide on both Android and iOS in the upcoming months. It will also work with Live Activities on iOS 16.1.
Speaking on the announcement, Chris Phillips, VP & General Manager, Geo, said,
Last year, we shared our vision for the future of Google Maps — an immersive, intuitive map that reimagines how you explore and navigate, while helping you make more sustainable choices.
Today we’re demonstrating how AI is bringing this vision to life, with updates for immersive view and Live View, along with new features for electric vehicle (EV) drivers and people who walk, bike or ride public transit.
These are just a few ways that AI is helping us reimagine the future of Google Maps — making it more immersive and sustainable for people around the world.