[inner_roadster]

The recently added features to Google Maps in India

1. Google Maps introduces 'flyover callout.' This was one of the most demanded feature needed in Google Maps, as many people are unsure whether to take the flyover or service road under it.

Google Maps has now solved the issue with an improved version known as "flyover callout". This new function informs drivers about future flyovers along the route and allows them select whether to take the flyover or the road beneath it. The flyover callouts feature will be available in 40 cities throughout India for users who use Google Maps for navigation while driving a four or two-wheeler on their Android mobile and Android Auto. This feature will be added soon for the iOS and CarPlay users.




2. Evaluating Narrow roads for four wheeler : Navigating narrow roads in India is always very challenging for four-wheeler drivers. Google Map will use an AI model that will considers satellite images, Street View data, and other parameters, Google estimates road widths and adjusts routing algorithms to avoid narrow roads when possible. Google’s new feature aims to minimize the use of narrow roads.





3. Support for Electric Vehicle (EV) Journeys : Google has partnered with ElectricPe, Ather, Kazam, and Statiq to provide detailed information about over 8,000 EV charging stations in India. Users can find real-time availability, plug types, and filter by specific charger types.




Source : https://auto.economictimes.indiatime...ndia/112033845
https://www.fonearena.com

[pd1108]

Interestingly, NaviMaps an offline map already has the flyover feature called the junction view. It also has an option in the settings to avoid using narrow roads. They have incorporated these features in their online app Mappls. I use it in the cities because Google Maps got me on the wrong road many a time So Google Maps is doing some catchup

[Nilesh5417]

Originally Posted by pd1108

Interestingly, NaviMaps an offline map already has the flyover feature called the junction view. It also has an option in the settings to avoid using narrow roads. They have incorporated these features in their online app Mappls. I use it in the cities because Google Maps got me on the wrong road many a time So Google Maps is doing some catchup

The mapmyindia on my 4 year old marazzo has this feature and is brilliant in showing the distinction between a flyover and the lane running besides it. Similarly between a highway and service lane running next to it.

Google is only now catching up!!

[xenon0025]

I hope it works as intended as only last week we had to take a detour of about ~3km to rejoin the intended road as Google maps failed to let us know if we need to take the flyover or not. Had driven a friends XUV700 in 2022 and the inbuilt maps were smart enough to indicate when to take a flyover.

[CentreOfGravity]

Better late than never . Among these features, the flyover callout was one that I really wanted Google to introduce.

In the next update, I wish a feature is released under “Trip options” where you can avoid bad / narrow roads. Currently, these are the trip options:


This should be better than the new narrow road alert.

There should also be a feature wherein road users can give a public review and rating of a road. Say, I’m not in a hurry to reach a place and would prefer a better scenery over a straight highway. I should be able to set the destination and check for reviews of the possible routes to make an informed decision. Alternatively, using the reviews and AI, Google can give a one-line description of the road, e.g. “curvy” (not the Tata kind ), “smooth road, but many potholes in xyz area”, “broken roads in abc area” etc. While this feature may be useless in city runabouts, it may prove useful while planning a proper road trip.

[pd1108]

Google's optimum routing algorithm sucks . Going on the highway, it often takes you through dirt roads through a village without warning or allowing an option, often to save Rs 65 toll charges!. I wish they will do something about it. Their cleverness gets my goat

[Quaser]

Originally Posted by CentreOfGravity

Currently, these are the trip options:
Attachment 2633045

On my android, I am getting only Avoid tolls, avoid motorways & avoid ferries. None else.

[Buzzard_storme]

The narrow roads feature is a much needed feature for google maps. Can't recollect the numerous number of times Google has driven me crazy but sending me off on narrow roads.

[swarnava.ch]

So I have started observing some of these changes from last few days and after going through this thread on the announcement, it has started to make sense.

Observations below are on Google Maps in Apple Carplay.

Examples of some changes:
1. From my house to my Inlaws house there are 3 routes, two of them are main 4 lane roads but with heavy traffic (Marathalli, Rainbow Children Hospital) however there is a third road which goes through a railway signal (Chinnapanahalli) which is narrow and crowded and when the train is crossing, it would shut down for a good 20 mins easy. Since last week, google has stopped showing me this third route all together as I had marked a Diesel car for my self. Pity, this used to be my favorite route on weekends. Now I understand the reason behind the same.

2. Flyover vs road below - haven't seen this on the ORR in Bangalore where you have to cross atleast 3 flyovers to reach Agara.

3. Since last few days, Google has started showing accidents and road breakdown warnings on the route including a new Button to easily report blockades, accidents and breakdowns etc. Additionally if someone else had marked a blockade and when you cross the same place, it asks you whether the blockade is still there. Cool Stuff.

Originally Posted by pd1108

Google's optimum routing algorithm sucks . Going on the highway, it often takes you through dirt roads through a village without warning or allowing an option, often to save Rs 65 toll charges!. I wish they will do something about it. Their cleverness gets my goat

Originally Posted by Buzzard_storme

The narrow roads feature is a much needed feature for google maps. Can't recollect the numerous number of times Google has driven me crazy but sending me off on narrow roads.

4. Couldn't agree more with you two. Few days back, I was travelling to Bannerghatta National park and wanted to take the NICE road but no - got a pop up on Maps - "Faster route available, saves 5 mins". My rotten luck, accepted it and the Innova was sent on a narrow village route through Chandapura, Jigani side where even two vehicles could not pass side by side. These slippages need to be fixed asap. In the Indian context, there has to be an option of "Prefer Highways and Toll Roads" for some of us who are fine driving a little extra to enjoy better / wider roads.

[bijims]

Great to see Google integrating new features into its Google Maps platform, the flyover callout, narrow roads warning, and EV Journey support is a great addition. Hopefully, more and more providers partner with Google and we can have easy access to data on all major charging stations soon

[vegitakarthik]

Originally Posted by CentreOfGravity

Better late than never . Among these features, the flyover callout was one that I really wanted Google to introduce.

In the next update, I wish a feature is released under “Trip options” where you can avoid bad / narrow roads. Currently, these are the trip options:
Attachment 2633045

This should be better than the new narrow road alert.

There should also be a feature wherein road users can give a public review and rating of a road. Say, I’m not in a hurry to reach a place and would prefer a better scenery over a straight highway. I should be able to set the destination and check for reviews of the possible routes to make an informed decision. Alternatively, using the reviews and AI, Google can give a one-line description of the road, e.g. “curvy” (not the Tata kind ), “smooth road, but many potholes in xyz area”, “broken roads in abc area” etc. While this feature may be useless in city runabouts, it may prove useful while planning a proper road trip.

These would be a brilliant add on as well. I always wondered why there is no narrow road alert. So many times have chosen wrong routes within city resulting in heart in mouth moments driving Safari.

[audioholic]

Of all the things they have made and all the data they have, I’m not sure why they don’t offer augmented reality navigation on Apple car play at least even as a paid feature. That will solve the problem of the need of call outs and complex navigation. They anyway have street imagery of even small villages now.

[sukhbirST]

Adding new is good but first basic maps should be corrected. Lots of errors and wrong guidance.