Khaberni - "Google Maps" is preparing in a step that reflects Google's expanding interest in the user experience under various weather conditions, to launch a new feature aimed at helping users avoid the scorching sun while navigating.
Google is adding an innovative feature to the Google Maps application that allows users to avoid direct sunlight while navigating.
The code lines for the new feature have been spotted inside the latest version of the application, where there is a new option named Prefer Shade.
More comfortable navigation
Three lines of code inside the disassembled version of the application show that Google is working on a system that allows the user to choose routes that include shaded areas as much as possible.
This new option will appear within the trip options menu inside the navigation interface below the traditional options, alongside options for wheelchair-specific routes or the option to avoid ferries.
According to leaked information, the matter is not limited to avoiding the sun only, as the code lines also indicate the possibility of choosing sunny routes.
It seems that Google wants to offer options that suit all conditions, whether the user wants to stay away from the heat or seeks to walk on roads that provide sunlight for heating on cold days.
One of the phrases in the code refers to the number of minutes the user spends under the sun.
How will it work?
Google has not yet confirmed the technology it will rely on to provide this feature, but reports have suggested the use of LiDAR scanners to track cloud movements and shadow changes, which allows the system to estimate the level of exposure to sunlight on different roads.
Google can also benefit from the vast amount of data it continuously obtains from satellites to feed the application with information about cloud cover and weather, which could allow almost real-time updates of shade and sun paths.
Other updates
In addition to the anticipated shade feature, Google announced additional improvements in its maps, the most prominent of which is deeper integration with the smart Gemini model.
Thanks to this update, the application is now able to understand more complex commands, such as setting reminders for future events through Google Calendar directly within Google Maps.
Google is also developing a new mode to conserve power that reduces battery usage by removing colors from the maps during use.
