Fuel-efficient routing, train and metro booking to soon be available on Google Maps

Speaking on the collaboration, T Koshy, MD and CEO, ONDC, said, "We are excited to collaborate with Google Maps towards revolutionising public transport experiences in India. With this collaboration, we aim to not only enhance user convenience but also provide a platform for the growth of mobility startups nationwide. Together, our pilot initiative with Kochi Metro and Namma Yatri sets the stage for a more efficient and discoverable transportation landscape. Furthermore, as we strive for a future where various modes of transport seamlessly connect, our collaboration with Google Maps holds the promise of unlocking new levels of accessibility, affordability, and transformative possibilities."

Google has also launched India-first Address Descriptors to easily find locations based on landmarks recommended using machine learning. Additionally, Google said that it is focused on building a more visual and immersive map to transform the way users navigate and explore the map tracking. The company launched Street View last year with Genesys International and Tech Mahindra, which has now expanded to 3,000 cities and towns.

The company announced two new visually immersive features – Lens in Maps and Live View Walking Navigation – that it is bringing to India by combining Street View imagery from local partners along with advanced AI and AR technologies.

The tech giant said that the new fuel-efficient routing feature will also be coming to India to help people make more sustainable choices across two-wheelers and four-wheelers. India and Indonesia will be the first countries to get this feature for two-wheelers.

AI has also enabled the company to put over 30 million businesses and places on Google Maps across the nation, helping people make everyday decisions with access to useful information such as business hours, photos, and reviews. Google Search and Google Maps have enabled over 900 million connections a month between consumers and businesses across the country, the company added.

“AI has accelerated our ability to build solutions that can scale to the diversity and complexity of a country like India. As we look to the future of Google Maps, we’re committed to building a map that helps people go from knowing about a place to truly experiencing it. We’re also focused on catering to India’s diverse mobility needs, from sustainable journeys to public transport. We are delighted to partner with ONDC and Namma Yatri to enable a more digitised public transport experience accessible to all users. India is rapidly transforming, and at Google Maps, and we are excited by the opportunities ahead of us,” said Miriam Karthika Daniel, VP, Google Maps Experiences.