In February, Google unveiled Immersive View for Google Maps as promised after introducing it at I/O 2022. These AI-powered features give you a high-definition 3D experience that virtually delivers real-time navigation for exploring places.
Computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) are used to bring together billions of Street View and aerial photographs for Immersive View. Together, the images form a “rich, digital rendering of the world.”
At first, just five cities—London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo—offered Immersive View.
Google is currently expanding its inventory of cities and landmarks. Amsterdam, Dublin, Florence, and Venice are the four newest cities that enable Immersive View.
Additionally, according to Google, the experience is currently accessible for over 500 global monuments, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Prague Castle.
How to use Immersive View in Google Maps?
- Open Google Maps and look for a well-known structure, such as Brandenburg Gate in Germany or St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, to see if it exists.
- When supported landmarks are nearby, a card with the words “Immersive View“ will appear on the left.
- Tap it to begin your exploration.
- Tap on Time & Weather and move the bottom slider to the left or right to switch between how the area appears during various times of day or weather.
You might not get this feature as it is in the initial stage of rolling out, so you have to be patient. It will gradually show up on the maps.
Immersive View For Routes in Google Maps
Through the use of Immersive examination and supporting AI technologies, users are able to examine information about their path in a single, unified perspective.
A multimodal experience that provides real-time visual previews of biking lanes, walkways, crossroads, and available parking along a chosen route is available to users once they are on a ride.
Google Maps simulates the number of vehicles that might be on a particular route at a given time using AI and historical trends. “A route during a quiet afternoon can look very different during rush hour,” Google mentions.
There are several possible advantages to Immersive View, including:
- Users may use it more simply to plan their travel. Users’ travel and exploration experiences are far better in terms of getting familiar with visiting places in unknown countries. They can use this to decide on the best route, locate parking, and find points of interest.
- Users might help by feeling more comfortable in situations that are unfamiliar. Immersive View can help you get directions in a new city and feel more comfortable traveling on your own.
- It can be applied in educational settings. Immersive View can be used to educate students about various cultures and historical sites. Also, it can be implemented to provide users with a better overview of the places they are visiting.
Features of Google Maps Immersive View
Google Maps Immersive View is a new feature that allows users to explore a place in 3D, providing a bird’s eye view and the ability to pan, zoom, and tilt for a better look.
Immersive View incorporates weather conditions, traffic, and occupancy data to give users a more accurate understanding of a location at a specific time.
Here are some of the new features of Google Maps Immersive View:
- Preview bike lanes, sidewalks, and intersections on your route. This is especially helpful for cyclists and pedestrians who want to plan a safe and efficient route.
- See traffic conditions in real time. This can help you avoid traffic jams and delays.
- View the weather conditions at a location. This can help you plan your outfit and activities accordingly.
- Check the occupancy of a place. This can help you avoid crowded places if you’re looking for a quieter experience.
- Explore popular landmarks and attractions. Immersive View is available for a variety of popular landmarks and attractions around the world.
However, Immersive View is unquestionably engaging; the hardest part for me was figuring out which landmarks support it. There should be a list of some kind that would be useful for virtual explorers.
It is currently available for both iOS and Android users. Users from unsupported countries can also experience this feature by exploring landmarks.
By using Google Maps Immersive View, traveling and exploring might be made more entertaining and educational. It changes how we benefit from maps, though it is still in its early phases.
Google has also introduced updates for Immersive View and Live View, along with new features for electric vehicle (EV) drivers and people who walk, bike, or ride public transit.
Immersive View, an innovative new feature, has the potential to completely transform how we use maps. In its early stages, it is undeniable that it has the capability to take the user experience to the next level.
