Google Maps is one of the most widely used navigation apps in the world, with 60 million active users in India alone by 2023, according to Miriam Daniel, vice president and head of Google Maps. The web mapping platform introduces new features and improvements to existing ones on a regular basis, helping solo travelers navigate geographic regions with turn-by-turn directions. According to a recent patent filing, it may be planning to offer enhanced functionality for those traveling in groups as well, via a possible multi-car navigation feature.
Multi-car navigation in Google Maps
According to a patent filed by Google with the US Patent and Trademark Office (via @xleaks7 ) on June 25, the search giant is developing plans for a feature that allows users in different locations to browse a shared destination in a certain period of time.
Google Maps patent for multi-car navigation
Photo credit: US Patent and Trademark Office/Google
The patent, titled “Providing navigation instructions to a device in view of another device,” is for a navigation service that can determine that multiple users are traveling to a common destination from different origin points. It is said to have access to users' calendar and messages to determine users' travel intentions. If multiple users are detected, it claims to coordinate the trip by sending them invitations to join the multi-car navigation and provide directions to the same destination in similar periods.
Alternatively, users can make explicit requests for multi-car navigation when arranging trips.
The navigation service can indicate on the map the locations of all traveling users, routes shared by all parties, identify places where they can wait and also suggest speed adjustments, according to the patent. In addition, it is also said to transmit traffic and road condition data to all vehicles, determining this by the road the group's lead vehicle is crossing. It can also send a notification if a vehicle in the group takes a detour and suggest stops along the way to let others catch up.
The feature is recommended to work with smartphones not only operating as a stand-alone, but also with devices connected to a vehicle's infotainment system via USB or Bluetooth.
