Google Maps has introduced new features in India to make navigation easier, especially on narrow roads and flyovers. The tech giant has developed an AI model specifically for Indian roads that uses satellite imagery and Street View data to estimate road width and provide information about the type of road, distance between buildings, tree covers, poles, and drains. This helps drivers avoid narrow roads and plan their routes more efficiently.
The updated features are available for users in four-wheeler, two-wheeler, and pedestrian modes, ensuring safe navigation through Indian roads. Even when users have to pass through a narrow road, Google Maps now includes callouts to warn them about upcoming narrow sections, allowing them to be more prepared.
In addition to avoiding narrow roads, Google Maps has integrated flyover callouts into the navigation experience. This feature allows users to see upcoming flyovers along their route and make informed decisions about whether to take them beforehand. The clear instructions provided by the app, such as “Take a flyover,” aim to reduce confusion and improve the overall navigation experience.
Moreover, Google Maps has added over 8,000 EV charging stations in India, partnering with EV charging providers and aggregators like ElectricPe, Ather Energy, Kazam, and Statiq. Users can now search for charging stations on Google Maps and find information about plug types supported at each station, catering to the growing market of electric vehicles in the country.
The tech giant has also partnered with India’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and Namma Yatri to offer an end-to-end booking experience for local trains, autorickshaws, and metro rides. Users can now book Metro tickets in Kochi and Chennai directly within the Google Maps interface, receiving their tickets in QR code form after payment. This integration aims to streamline the booking process and provide a seamless travel experience for users.
Furthermore, Google Maps has introduced curated lists of places in Indian cities in partnership with Magicpin and NDTV Food. Users can now access these lists in cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Jaipur, making it easier to discover popular places based on their interests.
To enhance user experience, Google has updated its interface to allow users to report incidents like crashes, slowdowns, construction, lane closures, stalled vehicles, and objects on the road through tappable icons across various platforms. This feature enables users to contribute to real-time traffic updates and improve overall navigation accuracy.
Overall, Google Maps’ latest features and updates in India aim to provide users with a more seamless, informative, and reliable navigation experience, catering to the diverse needs of drivers, bikers, pedestrians, and public transport users across the country.
