Google Maps is introducing a series of groundbreaking updates that promise to revolutionize how users explore and interact with the world around them. These updates, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), are designed to provide more comprehensive and immersive experiences while enhancing the user’s ability to plan, navigate, and make sustainable choices.
Immersive View for Routes
At the heart of these updates is “Immersive View for Routes,” a feature that allows users to preview their journeys in a whole new way. Whether you’re driving, walking, or cycling, Immersive View offers a stunning, multidimensional view of your route from start to finish. This feature is currently rolling out in select cities, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paris, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tokyo, and Venice, available on both Android and iOS.
Imagine planning a cycling route along the scenic waterfront to San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts. With Immersive View, users can access detailed visual turn-by-turn directions and use a time slider to plan their trip based on simulated traffic and weather conditions. This feature empowers users to make informed decisions and avoid undesirable conditions during their journey.
Immersive View for places combines AI to merge billions of Street View and aerial images, providing users with a clear understanding of what a particular location looks like before visiting. In addition, developers can now create their immersive experiences with the launch of Photorealistic 3D Tiles in the Google Maps Platform.
Lens in Maps
Google Maps also aims to help users better understand their surroundings with the introduction of “Lens in Maps.” This feature uses AI and augmented reality to assist users in acclimating themselves to new areas or discovering hidden gems nearby. By tapping the Lens icon in the search bar and lifting their phones, users can access information about nearby ATMs, transit stations, restaurants, coffee shops, and stores. This feature is now expanding to over 50 new cities, including Austin, Las Vegas, Rome, Sao Paulo, and Taipei.
Detailed Maps & Lane Information
Google Maps is taking its commitment to providing accurate and detailed navigation information to the next level. Users can expect more realistic buildings on the maps, making it easier to orient themselves in urban environments. Improved lane details on highways will offer assistance with complex maneuvers. In the U.S., users will soon have information about HOV lanes, while in Europe, AI-powered speed limit information will expand to 20 countries.
Electric Vehicle Information
For Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers, Google Maps aims to reduce “charging anxiety” by offering more comprehensive information about charging stations. Users on Android and iOS can now access data on charger compatibility, charging speed, and the last time a charger was used to avoid wasted trips. This update is rolling out globally on iOS and Android.
New Ways to Search
Searching in Google Maps is evolving with more visual results. When searching for specific things, users can now access photo-first results based on the analysis of billions of shared photos from the Google Maps community. This new search experience is initially available in France, Germany, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S.
In addition to specific searches, users can now explore thematic results for activities and dining, such as “anime,” “cherry blossoms,” or “art exhibitions.” These thematic results are set to roll out globally on Android and iOS in the coming weeks.
These Google Maps updates are set to transform how people explore and navigate the world, with AI playing a crucial role in enhancing the user experience. These innovations continue to make Google Maps the go-to platform for planning and navigating trips while making eco-friendly choices.
Photorealistic 3D Tiles Now in General Availability
In parallel with the Google Maps updates, the company is moving Photorealistic 3D Tiles, 2D Tiles, and Street View Tiles into general availability. Developers can now build immersive maps in production environments using these features, accessible through the Map Tiles API.
Photorealistic 3D Tiles have found applications in various fields, including real estate and urban planning, augmented reality, and architectural design. BNP Paribas Real Estate, a European commercial property company, utilizes Photorealistic 3D Tiles to create data visualization experiences that showcase cities and properties across Europe, helping urban planners, investors, and real estate customers gain valuable insights.
Alberto Taiuti, an augmented reality expert, used Photorealistic 3D Tiles to create a real-time guided tour editor for Florence, Italy. This innovative application demonstrates the potential for shared multiplayer map experiences, with applications in gaming, tourism, and community development projects.
Geopogo, a software company, employs Photorealistic 3D Tiles to offer architects, urban planners, and commercial developers the ability to visualize their designs in real-world city contexts. The update to Magic Leap 2 AR glasses allows professionals to design, review, and showcase their building models with see-through AR, providing a more immersive and realistic experience.
Developers can seamlessly integrate Photorealistic 3D Tiles into their applications using their preferred renderers or compatible visualization libraries, such as CesiumJS and deck.gl. This technology is now also available in Cesium ion.
2D Map Tiles & Street View Tiles
For developers working in non-Javascript environments, 2D Map Tiles and Street View Tiles are now generally available. These tiles provide access to roadmap, terrain, satellite imagery, and panoramic images, allowing developers to create more customized and immersive experiences.
Google Maps offers a comprehensive portfolio of products to build immersive experiences, from pre-rendered videos to highly customized and interactive 3D visualizations, catering to a wide range of needs and applications.
New Places API
Google Maps introduces a new Places API that enables developers to access a wealth of information from Google Maps to enhance their products. This API offers real-time data for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, making it easier for users to find and optimize their travel plans. It provides information on station availability, compatibility with different EV types, and charging speeds.
The new Places API introduces new place types, allowing users to find specific details about places of interest. Nearly 200 place types are now supported, covering a wide range of locations such as coffee shops and playgrounds.
Accessibility features have also been enhanced, with the ability to provide information on wheelchair-accessible seating, restrooms, and parking. This feature builds on the existing wheelchair-accessible entrance feature introduced in 2022.
The new Places API improves search capabilities, offering ranking capabilities for popular nearby places and allowing field masking for more precise searches. Users can filter search results by specific place types, such as “coffee shop,” for a more accurate and tailored search experience.
With simplified pricing and modern security settings, developers can control costs by requesting only the information their apps need. This new API is built on Google Cloud’s service infrastructure, providing a secure and reliable environment for developers to build and launch their products.