Have you ever muttered the words “Shoot, I should have turned there” while driving? I have. Like many other drivers. But what if your car could tell you when you need to change lanes to get out?
This is exactly what the latest software update for one popular electric car, Poulstar 4I can do it. New update introduces Live Google Maps Lane Guide directly onto the Polestar 4's 10.2-inch driver's head-up display.
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How does real-time lane guidance work?
This feature uses Google's built-in device artificial intelligence to understand exactly what lane the car is in by reading lane markings, road signs and other visual cues through the front camera. It's merged with Google Maps Navigation data to create clear visual reminders and audio alerts when it's time to move on.
Imagine a four-lane highway where your navigation tells you there's an exit in half a mile. Instead of having to look at the center screen or smartphone in the holder at the last moment and guess the intersection, the lane map appears right where your eyes are already sitting.
Instead of searching for arrows on your smartphone and car's center screen to point you into the right lane while navigating, the visualization right in front of your eyes will show you where to go.
Each lane for the selected route is highlighted, and the system names the lane in which the car is currently located. For example, if you are in the wrong lane, the HUD will immediately display you and give you an audible signal to move over, giving you enough time to react. Instead of noticing the exit at the last second, you get a clear picture that tells you you're two lanes away from where you need to be, and you're changing trains long before the intersection appears.
This turns a potential last-minute struggle into a calm early correction. While these types of mistakes may not be common in areas you know well, they are all too easy to make in an unfamiliar environment. Car and Technology Columnist Mark Ellis says features like these will also be useful when you're driving in another country and “don't know about traffic rules or discipline.”
This new feature is a collaboration between Polestar and Google. The car brand emphasizes that this is part of a long-standing commitment to making the UX more relaxed, safe and predictable.
Meanwhile, the search giant sees the rollout as a benchmark moment for in-car navigation and artificial intelligence.
Polestar is the first car brand to introduce this version of the technology into a production car. The brand's broader strategy has been to continue promoting over-the-air updates that add new features long after the car leaves the factory.
The new real-time lane control system will begin arriving via an over-the-air software update to Polestar 4 owners in the US and Sweden in the coming months. More markets and types of roads will follow.
