In a groundbreaking move towards sustainability and digitization, Google Maps has unveiled a series of India-centric features aimed at enhancing user experiences and reducing environmental impact.
Fuel-Efficient Routing for Sustainable Travel: Google Maps has introduced a “fuel-efficient routing” feature set to be officially rolled out from January 2024. This innovative technology employs artificial intelligence to optimize routes for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, minimizing fuel consumption and emissions without significantly impacting travel time. By analyzing real-time traffic data, vehicle engine types, and road elevation, the feature aims to promote sustainable choices in alignment with Google’s commitment to environmental consciousness and sustainable transportation.
According to a recent report by IANS, the fuel-efficient routing feature has already made a substantial global impact. Between October 2021 and September 2023, it is estimated to have prevented over 2.4 million metric tons of CO2e emissions worldwide. This accomplishment is equivalent to removing approximately 500,000 fuel-based cars from the road for an entire year.
Enhancing Public Transport Experience: Google has forged strategic partnerships with ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) and Namma Yatri to further digitize public transport experiences. This collaboration will enable the inclusion of metro schedules and bookings via Google Maps, starting with the Kochi metro and expanding to other metros as they join the ONDC network, expected to happen in the middle of next year.
Railway Features Integration: As part of its commitment to providing comprehensive travel information, Google has integrated Kolkata and Mumbai Local Trains into the ‘Where Is My Train’ app. This integration empowers users with dynamic information such as train location, platform changes, real-time status, and more, enhancing the overall rail travel experience.
Other India-First Features: In addition to sustainable routing and enhanced public transport services, Google Maps introduces several India-first features. ‘Address Descriptors,’ a machine learning-driven feature, assists users in locating places based on landmarks. ‘Lens in Maps’ and ‘Live View Walking Navigation,’ immersive features built upon Street View, offer visually enriched map navigation experiences.
Vision for Google Maps in India: Miriam Karthika Daniel, VP of Google Maps Experiences, emphasizes the company’s commitment to building a more digitized and user-friendly map for Indian commuters. Google Maps envisions not only providing information about places but also enabling users to truly experience and navigate their surroundings efficiently.
With these innovative features, Google Maps is setting a new standard for navigation and sustainability, demonstrating the potential of technology to transform the way we travel and interact with our environment. The future of navigation in India looks promising, with Google Maps leading the way in creating a more connected, sustainable, and user-friendly transportation experience.
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