Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car brand, is set to become the first automotive OEM to integrate Google Maps’ new live lane guidance into the driver display in one of its vehicles. The innovation for cars with Google built in will help drivers stay on course while navigating complex highways and intense rush-hour traffic.
A perfect fit for Polestar’s driver-centric UX strategy, Google Maps’ live lane guidance brings a new navigation experience directly to the 10.2-inch driver display in Polestar 4. The feature detects which lane the car is in by using Google’s advanced AI in the vehicle to analyse elements on the road, like lane markings and road signs, captured by one of the forward-facing cameras in Polestar 4.
Combined with Google Maps’ industry-leading navigation capabilities, the system delivers visual and audio reminders that help drivers change lanes in time. Drivers experience the feature in a new visualisation that highlights all possible lanes for the chosen route, including which lane the car is in.
Sid Odedra, Head of UI/UX at Polestar, says: “Over the past five years, Polestar’s collaboration with Google has delivered many new features for Polestar owners. Live lane guidance continues the path of Polestar’s driver-centric UX strategy, reducing driver stress and improving safety by making missed exits and last-minute lane changes much less of a worry.”
Polestar’s integration of Google Maps’ live lane guidance for highways is part of Polestar’s promise to continuously upgrade cars with innovative features as they become available through over-the-air updates. Rolling out in the coming months, it will initially be available for Polestar 4 vehicles in the US and Sweden – and will reach more markets, road types and customers in the future.
Andrew Foster, Director of Product Management for Google Maps says: “Polestar has been a close partner since 2020 when Polestar 2 launched as the first car with Google built-in. Now, Polestar 4 will be the first to integrate our groundbreaking live lane guidance, which will help people drive with even more confidence and set a new benchmark for navigation across the auto industry.”
CARLIST THOUGHTS
Volvo was the first brand to introduce and patent the 3-point seatbelt way back in 1959—with that patent given for free to the world. Now, some 66 years later, a subsidiary of Volvo—Polestar—has become the first automotive OEM to integrate Google Maps’ new live lane guidance.