Image: Google
Google announced a new feature for Immersive View at its recent I/O event. Immersive View for routes lets you see every part of your trip in advance, whether driving, walking, or cycling. The feature uses computer vision and AI to combine billions of Street View and aerial images for a realistic model of the world. You can explore it in detail and get helpful information about your route.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai showed how the feature works in his keynote. He said it was a “new way” of viewing a journey. The feature lets you preview bike lanes, sidewalks, intersections, and parking before you leave. Google Maps’ Miriam Daniel writes in a blog post that the feature also has a time slider to show you the air quality and the weather forecast for your route so you can plan accordingly.
The feature also uses traffic data to show how many cars might be on the road at different times. This can help with avoiding congestion and delays. Immersive View for routes will be available soon for 15 cities worldwide, and more later.