During the Google I/O event, the Internet giant announced new advances in artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the use of Maps.
Thanks to advances in computer vision and AI, billions of Street View images and aerial photos have been merged to create a richer and more immersive digital model to provide the billion users with a new way to to explore.
Maps lets you explore a whole new immersive view of the world, find the most fuel-efficient route, and use Live View in your favorite third-party apps.
Thanks to this new immersive view, Google offers to “discover a neighborhood, a landmark, a restaurant or a popular place, and even have the impression of being there before even having set foot there. Whether you’re traveling somewhere new or looking to discover hidden local gems, the immersive view will help you make the most informed decisions before you go.”
As an example, Google writes “imagine you are planning a trip to London and want to know what are the best sights to see and the best places to eat. With a quick search, you can virtually hover above Westminster to see the neighborhood and the stunning architecture up close, like the Big Ben clock. With useful information from Google Maps overlaid, you can use the time slider to see what the neighborhood looks like at different times of the day and in various weather conditions and see where the busiest places are. Looking for a place for lunch? Swipe down to street level to explore nearby restaurants and see useful information like live crowds and nearby traffic. You can even look inside to get an idea of the vibe of the place before you book.”
Immersive View will work on just about any phone and device. It will begin rolling out in Los Angeles, London, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo later this year, with more cities to follow soon.
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