NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / Technology News / Amid COVID-19, Google Maps gets features to ensure safe travel
    Amid COVID-19, Google Maps gets features to ensure safe travel
    Technology

    Amid COVID-19, Google Maps gets features to ensure safe travel

    Written by Shubham Sharma
    June 09, 2020 | 03:11 pm 2 min read
    Amid COVID-19, Google Maps gets features to ensure safe travel

    As countries like India begin to come out of lockdown and restart economic activities, Google is racing to launch tools to protect the general public from COVID-19. The company has already rolled out a contact-tracing system built with Apple, and now, it is introducing new capabilities into Maps to help people get around safely via public/private modes of transportation. Here's all about it.

    New public transit alerts from the government

    First, Google is starting to show relevant COVID-19-related public transit alerts on Maps. The feature, implemented using governments' guidance, will notify you if a particular transportation service has been stopped/reduced due to governments' orders or if you need to follow a specific protocol while traveling. The notification will appear as you look up public transit directions for a particular trip.

    Public transit alerts are now active in India

    Google says COVID-19-related public transit alerts are now active in India as well as in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, France, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, and the US.

    Notifications on COVID-19 checkpoints along routes

    Google Maps are also getting the ability to notify you about COVID-19 checkpoints along your route, like when you are crossing borders. Also, when navigating to a medical facility or testing center, the app will alert you with facility guidelines and the eligibility for visiting so that you are not turned away at the last minute. Both features are not yet available in India.

    Improved crowdedness prediction

    Google is even improving the crowdedness prediction capabilities of Maps. Now, while looking for directions and transit details, you can quickly see how crowded a bus/train tends to be at a particular time and contribute your own experience from the same page. There are also options to give feedback on other elements, like accessibility and security, to boost Maps' database and help other travelers.

    Finally, the ability to see how crowded a station is

    As social distancing is the need of the hour, Google is using anonymized location data from phones to show how crowded a station is at a particular time. The feature, rolling out in the coming weeks, works only when sufficient data is available at a particular station and can be used to see when the place remains more or less busy to plan trips.

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    India
    Google Maps
    Google
    United States of America
    COVID-19

    India

    Amid lockdowns, WHO says asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 is rare World Health Organization
    Globally, the situation is worsening: WHO about coronavirus World Health Organization
    Coronavirus: Over 7,400 dead in India; Mumbai tally crosses 50,000 Mumbai
    Maruti Suzuki S-Presso available with benefits worth Rs. 48,000 Maruti Suzuki

    Google Maps

    Google starts showing food, night shelters on Maps: Details here Google
    Now, Google allows marking businesses as 'temporarily closed' on Maps India
    Google testing more prominent 'Live View' AR directions for Maps iOS
    New Google Maps: Handy things to try out right away Android

    Google

    COVID-19: Singapore is developing a wearable 'contact-tracing' device Security
    Your WhatsApp-linked number could show up in Google Search WhatsApp
    #TechBytes: How to transfer Facebook photos, videos to Google Photos Facebook
    Hackers tried to compromise Trump, Biden's campaign staffers Donald Trump

    United States of America

    JK Rowling row: Daniel Radcliffe apologizes to 'Harry Potter' fans Harry Potter
    New Zealand is coronavirus free: Here's what it did right New Zealand
    Why is JK Rowling being brutally trolled X
    'Chintu Ka Birthday' review: A moving tale of family, war ZEE5

    COVID-19

    Non-payment of salaries see 5 East Bengal players send notices Football
    Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine: When will it be available? Moderna Therapeutics
    Scootsy, Swiggy's premium food delivery service is shutting down Mumbai
    Afghanistan cricketers resume training in Kabul International Cricket Council (ICC)
    Next News Article

    Love Technology News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    Science Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023