Google has announced that it will be adding AR (Augmented Reality) feature to search and maps, helping users to select from a catalog of products online, gain new insights through a simulacrum of real-world experience and navigate hassle-free. These new features would provide more liberty to the users and enhance their web browsing experience.
For instance, If a user searches for a pair of shoes online, there would be an option to view the image in AR, allowing the user to view the 3D models and decide whether the shoes would match with his favorite denim or not. Or whether the design is of his liking or not. Viewing objects in AR offers highly precise details and leaves no scope for ambiguity. The new feature would be highly interactive and would also help enthusiasts explore topics ranging from human anatomy to wildlife.
As Google mentioned in its official blog post, whether it’s flexing of a human muscle or the 3D image of a Great White Shark, anyone who looks at it will not only be enthralled but also get to see things with great clarity and detail.
Google is also working on active collaboration with NASA, New Balance, Samsung, Target, Visible Body, Volvo, Wayfair, among others, so that their content could be viewed in AR in search.
AR in maps
The AR navigation feature in Google Maps superimposes walking directions over real-world streets. Using smartphone camera, the map would show the location where we are heading and when to turn left or right, or hit straight. This feature would be exclusively available only in Google’s flagship Pixel smartphone initially, and later on it may be rolled out in other devices as well. The AR map would rely on the data mapped by Google Street View, so it won’t work on roads that have not been updated in the Street View database.
It also uses Lens and Playground. Lens is an in-built feature in Pixel camera, while Playground is the AR component of the camera, which scans the vicinity for identifying the floor and other objects so that a host of cartoon characters like Detective Pikachu or Childish Gambino can be dropped so that they could interact.
For accessing AR in Pixel, Google Maps should be opened and a destination selected. Right next to the old ‘start’ button there is a new option called ‘Start AR’. Clicking on this option divides the screen into two parts: Camera feed at the top and map view at the bottom. After this, the app prompts to point the camera on the opposite side, just after a few seconds, the app detects the location and gives instructions.
Once the location is confirmed, two big blue arrows can be seen on the screen, which highlights the direction in which the person should be heading.
This is one of the main benefits of using AR in maps, as it overcomes the limitation of normal Google Maps – people often get confused about directions and with GPS updating slowly, they turn in the wrong direction.
When the phone is lowered, the AR mode switches off and normal navigation resumes. AR mode is switched on again when the phone is raised in hand again.
Another important in-built functionality in AR mode is that it dissuades people from crossing the streets while staring at the phone screen. The app detects that a person is moving while AR mode is on. If the person neglects the warning sign and continues, the AR mode will go blank after a few seconds and insist that the phone should be lowered.
