Google I/O AI Map 2023 | New Immersive View for routes in Maps

 Google I/O AI  Map

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai delivers the keynote address at the Google I/O developers conference at Shoreline Amphitheatre on May 10, 2023, in Mountain View, California(Getty)

The emergence of Street View, a feature of Google Maps that offers users panoramic images of various locations around the world, was a significant milestone in the history of online mapping. This innovative technology made it possible for users to explore different parts of the world without physically being there. Street View is created by merging billions of panoramic images, a process that involves stitching together multiple photographs of a location taken from different angles.

In 2022, Google introduced Immersive View, a new technology that builds on the capabilities of Street View by creating a highly realistic representation of a place. Immersive View is an AI-based feature that uses advanced algorithms to produce a 3D rendering of a location, allowing users to experience it in an immersive way. With Immersive View, users can explore a location as if they were physically there, even before they visit.

Now, Google is extending this same technology to optimize the key functionality of Google Maps, which is to assist users in reaching their desired destination. With over 20 billion kilometers of directions delivered every day, Google Maps is a massive platform that helps users navigate their way through cities and countries worldwide. Immersive View for routes is a new feature that enables users to preview their entire trip in advance, whether they are driving, cycling, or walking.

Imagine that you are in New York City and want to go on a bike ride. Google Maps presents you with several options close to your location. One route along the waterfront looks particularly scenic, but you would like to experience it first before committing to it. With Immersive View for routes, you can select this option and preview the entire journey in an entirely new way. You can zoom in to get an incredible bird's-eye view of the ride, giving you a sense of what it would be like to actually be there.

In addition to the immersive experience, Immersive View for routes provides users with additional information that can be helpful in planning their trips. This information includes air quality, traffic, and weather conditions, and how they may vary throughout the journey.

Google plans to gradually introduce Immersive View for routes over the summer and launch it in 15 cities by the end of the year, including San Francisco, Tokyo, New York, and London. This new feature is a significant advancement in the world of online mapping, providing users with an unprecedented level of control and customization when it comes to planning their trips.