Bengaluru among 8 Indian cities to get Google Maps latest feature to avoid narrow lanes: Report

Google India is launching a feature to help four-wheeler users avoid narrow lanes in Bengaluru and seven other cities. This addition, exclusive to India, follows a prior initiative for two-wheelers. Developing it was challenging due to road width estimation and obstacles.

Google Maps AI routing feature to help car users avoid narrow lanes.
(Getty Images)

Bengaluru: Google India is launching a new feature to enhance navigation for four-wheeler users by helping them to remain clear of narrow lanes in Bengaluru and seven other cities. This latest addition is exclusive to the Indian market. It follows a previous initiative designed to improve route options for two-wheeler users, which allowed motorcyclists to find shorter paths to their destinations. As per sources, developing this feature presented significant challenges, primarily due to the difficulty in accurately estimating road widths. Notably, the task involved accounting for various obstacles commonly found on narrow streets, such as tree cover and parked vehicles, and applying these considerations across countless streets and avenues in India.

The new feature will initially be available in eight Indian cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad Coimbatore, Indore, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati.

AI is highly effective in addressing these issues: Senior Google Official

As per The Hindu report Lalitha Ramani, General Manager of Google Maps India, explained, “AI is highly effective in addressing these issues. We’ve developed a new AI model tailored specifically for Indian roads that estimates road widths by analyzing satellite imagery, street view data, and additional inputs like road type, tree cover, and roadside infrastructure.”

Clear warning for narrow lanes

The new AI routing model is designed to help car users avoid narrow roads whenever possible. When selecting the four-wheeler mode in the Google Maps app, users will receive route suggestions that minimise travel time while avoiding narrow lanes. If a route must pass through a narrow street or if the destination is located on such a lane, the app will provide clear warnings about these sections.

Ramani, as quoted by The Hindu noted, “Reducing the number of cars on narrow roads can make them safer for bikers and pedestrians.” Google acknowledges that the definition of a “narrow road” can vary between cities, so the company will continue to collect feedback to refine its AI model further.

Flyover guidance in over 40 Indian cities

In addition to this, Google is also introducing a flyover guidance feature that will alert users about flyovers on their route. This feature will be rolled out across 40 cities in India but is currently unavailable for IOS and CarPlay users.

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