Google made exciting announcements on Tuesday, unveiling AI-powered features tailored for India on its Maps platform. One noteworthy addition, set to roll out in January next year, is "fuel-efficient routing." This feature, applicable to both four-wheelers and two-wheelers, utilizes AI to consider real-time traffic data, road elevation, and the vehicle's engine type. The result is a route that minimizes fuel consumption and emissions without significantly impacting travel time, promoting sustainable choices.
The company highlighted the positive impact of this feature globally since its launch in other countries from October 2021 to September 2023. It is estimated to have prevented over 2.4 million metric tons of CO2e emissions, equivalent to removing approximately 500,000 fuel-based cars from the road for a year.
Miriam Karthika Daniel, VP of Google Maps Experiences, expressed the company's commitment to leveraging AI to create scalable solutions tailored to the complexity of a country like India. The aim is to build a more immersive map experience that helps users truly experience a place.
In pursuit of enhancing the public transport experience, Google announced partnerships with ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) and Namma Yatri. These collaborations will focus on integrating metro schedules and bookings into Google Maps, beginning with Kochi metro by mid-next year and extending to other metros joining the ONDC network.
Addressing the digital transformation in India, Karthika Daniel expressed excitement about the opportunities ahead. Google also revealed plans to integrate Mumbai and Kolkata Local Trains into the Where Is My Train app, offering dynamic information such as train location, real-time status, platform changes, and more.
Other notable features introduced include 'Address Descriptors,' enabling users to find locations based on landmarks recommended using machine learning. Additionally, Google introduced Lens in Maps and Live View Walking Navigation, enhancing the visual and immersive aspects of navigation and exploration.
0 Comments