Google Maps launches immersive view for routes: A more dynamic way to visualize your journey

Google Maps has recently launched Immersive View for routes, a new feature that allows users to visualize every segment of their route before they go. This innovative feature uses computer vision and AI to combine billions of Street View and aerial images to create a rich, digital model of the world. Immersive View provides users with detailed information about their route, including bike lanes, sidewalks, intersections, and more, for driving, walking, and cycling.

The time slider is another feature that helps users prepare for their journey. It allows users to view air quality information and how the route looks as the weather changes throughout the day. Moreover, AI and historical driving trends simulate how many cars might be on the road at a given time, showing users what a route could look like during rush hour versus a quiet afternoon. Immersive View for routes will be rolled out in several cities, including London, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo, among others, in the coming months.

Developers can integrate a 3D birds-eye video of a point of interest into their apps using the Aerial View API. This API is already being used by Rent. to help renters visualize a property and its surrounding area so they can explore a neighborhood virtually and make more informed decisions about where to live. Another exciting feature is Photorealistic 3D Tiles that allow developers to customize their 3D maps. This feature unlocks the high-res, 3D imagery behind Google Earth to create immersive experiences unique to their brand without having to build the 3D map from scratch. A tourism company, for example, could create a 3D map of a national park with photorealistic imagery of mountains, water, and trees to entice travelers to visit, or develop an interactive map tour of architectural landmarks, overlaying markers to share historical information in a virtual guided tour of the city.

These advancements in Google Maps are made possible by AI, which helps to transform Maps and create even more helpful and intuitive experiences for users while providing new opportunities for developers to innovate.