Google on Thursday unveiled a suite of six new artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced capabilities for Google Maps in India. The tech giant has developed a custom AI model specifically designed to address the challenges of Indian roadways. This model leverages satellite imagery and Street View data to assess the width of road accurately. Here, AI takes into account various factors such as road classification, building proximity, tree canopy coverage, utility pole placement, and drainage systems. These new additions to Google Maps aim to assist drivers of four-wheeled vehicles in navigating narrow streets more effectively.
Also read: Users Switching To iPhone From Android Hits Record High, But How Good Is It For Apple?
AI-Driven Navigation For 40 Indian Cities
Furthermore, the tech giant said that these innovations will benefit not only car drivers but also motorcyclists using the two-wheeler mode and pedestrians using the walking mode. Its goal is to improve safety and navigation for all users traversing Indian roads.
"Starting this week, you'll see these flyover callouts in 40 cities across India for both four-wheeler and two-wheeler active navigation on Android apps and Android Auto. iOS and CarPlay support will be coming soon," Miriam Daniel, VP & GM, Google Maps and Lalitha Ramani, GM, Google Maps, India, said in a statement.
Also read: Google Maps vs Apple Maps: Comparison Of Features, Coverage, Accuracy, More
"Our Narrow Roads and Flyover features have been pioneered in India, for India tailored to the unique navigation needs of our users here. We'll soon be making these features available to developers through the Google Maps Platform Routes API. This means they can seamlessly integrate narrow road and flyover callouts into their own apps and services, creating even better location-based experiences for their users in India," Daniel and Ramai added.
By combining advanced mapping capabilities with AI, Google is aiming to create a more informative and user-friendly navigation experience. This update reflects the company's ongoing efforts to tailor its services to the unique road conditions and infrastructure found in India, helping drivers navigate with greater confidence and ease.
What Rival MapmyIndia Is Doing
In 2022, Google's competitor MapmyIndia introduced a similar functionality to its Mappls navigation app. This feature, called Junction View, assists drivers in navigating intersections and flyovers.
The introduction of this capability by MapmyIndia highlights the ongoing competition and innovation in the digital mapping sector, particularly for the Indian market. It demonstrates that multiple companies are working to address the unique challenges posed by India's complex road infrastructure.