Google I/O conference has introduced new projects to be unveiled in the upcoming weeks that will enhance the mobility ecosystem. They change the way we find places, find people and experiences. They vary the way we move around in a more comfortable way. Smart cars, advanced location tools in chaotic cities and friends recommendations are some of the best innovations we have found more interesting to tell you about.
AUGMENTED REALITY TO NAVIGATE
Surely many of us laugh when we open Google Maps and listen, “turn northwest” without having any clue of where it is. Taking directions to go somewhere is a complicated task to do in some apps. This is not only because of their interface, but because of the mapping system they use. Therefore, there are already several applications that facilitate the indications, such as the recent update of Wave Application that allows navigating to a destiny while we geolocate our family or friends.
However, another way to understand the indications reported at Google I/O is thanks to the augmented reality. That is, the ability of the mobile to interpret through the camera the scenario we have around and superimpose in the screen the directions.
On its proposal launched at the I/O conference, Google has launched an improved augmented reality via Google Lens. It paints arrows and indications about that street. In addition it even has a funny guide to accompany us on our tour.
SHARE PLACES AT GOOGLE I/O
One of the funniest stages of organizing a dinner out with friends or family is to find a good place that everyone likes. While we dive in in great directories such as Tripadvisor or Yelp, we still need to comment them with friends and find an agreement.
There are many apps that facilitate the decisions in group via polls, as we have shortlisted in our post about organizing trips and events with friends. Google Maps has recently share its own way at Google I/O allowing friends to share reviews of restaurants on Maps with some friends. They can select and vote for the one that suits them best.
FIND THAT LITTLE RED HOUSE AT GOOGLE I/O
Anyone who has traveled to cities that have experienced rapid growth while their economic development has raised, have seen serious problems of linear structure and transport in cities. This affects directly maps and navigation. In Nigeria, as Google has emphasized in its I/O conference. Or even in Panama or in Indonesia, there are large cities that do not have specific street names. Therefore it was impossible to take directions on a map, until now.
Google has presented a new Maps in which they have tried to design the peculiarities of the big cities. It makes it possible to find shops and houses in the chaos of the streets, giving some referential indications. This is a great news for everyone using its API to build an infrastructure for a mapping app. It is time to adapt technology to a less digitized world.
AUTONOMOUS DRIVING
The war of the driverless cars greats is in full height, and among the companies working on it there is the Google unit Waymo, who has just presented at the Google I/O conference its new technology adapted to autonomous cars. They use a system that detects and avoid pedestrians, animals and obstacles. It also protects the safety of them and the occupants of the vehicle.
Today these technologies seek to adapt to the chaotic traffic of cities. But surely as soon as their development and legislation allows them to circulate, the cities themselves would probably be the ones to adapt to this new way of transport.
Pablo Clemente Pérez 