Commuters in Bengaluru and several other major cities are set to benefit from new routing features on Google Maps tailored specifically for four-wheeler users. This initiative aims to help drivers avoid narrow lanes, enhancing the driving experience and safety. The move follows Google’s successful optimization of maps-based navigation for two-wheeler users, providing efficient routes for motorcyclists.
Lalitha Ramani, General Manager of Google Maps India, explained to reporters the development and functionality of this new feature. “AI is good at addressing these problems to a large extent. So, we’ve now built a new AI model, specifically for Indian roads that estimates road widths. It takes satellite imagery and combines it with street view imagery. And also takes inputs on road type, tree cover, and poles and drains,” Ramani said.
Challenges and Solutions
Implementing this feature presented significant challenges, particularly in accurately assessing road widths amidst various obstacles like tree cover and parked vehicles. Google has leveraged AI routing models to develop algorithms that guide car users away from narrow roads wherever feasible, ensuring minimal impact on the estimated time of arrival (ETA) for suggested routes.
“Reducing cars on these narrow stretches can make bikers and pedestrians use these roads more safely,” Ramani added. For situations where navigating through a narrow street is unavoidable or when the destination is located on such a road, Google Maps will provide explicit alerts to users, highlighting these narrow sections.
User Feedback and Initial Launch
Recognizing that the definition of a narrow road can vary across different cities, Google continues to gather feedback on street details to refine its AI routing model. The feature will initially launch in eight cities, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai, aiming to enhance driving experiences in urban areas.
Flyover Guidance Feature
In addition to the narrow road alerts, Google plans to introduce a flyover guidance feature across 40 cities in India. This feature will provide users with alerts about flyovers along their route, improving navigation and route planning. There are also future plans to extend this feature’s compatibility beyond Android devices.
The introduction of these features represents Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance navigation experiences and safety for drivers in India’s bustling urban landscapes.